English Championship: 

 

Swansea City 0 - Reading 0

An immaculate new pitch, numerous chances created, a 13th clean sheet of the season, and the culmination of 12 months which have seen Swansea City make immeasurable strides under Steve Cooper. 

However, for all the positive side-stories, last night was ultimately two points dropped for the home side as Reading took a goalless draw away from the Liberty Stadium. And Cooper’s evident frustration at the final whistle underlined that. 

Indeed, the manager had seen his team dominate on a freezing cold night in South Wales, but fail to convert one of a glut to chances. 
 

Attractive football on re-laid pitch – but golden chances missed!

There was attractive football to mirror the re-laid surface, and it was Andre Ayew at the centre of everything Swansea did early on, firing over with an acrobatic effort before a teasing run and shot was saved by Reading keeper Rafael Cabral.  

It would prove a sign of things to come, with Cabral soon at his best again to push away the Ghanaian’s header from a Conner Roberts cross. 

The frustration continued as centre back Marc Guehi side footed over from point blank range, before Jay Fulton’s cushioned pass nearly teed up Korey Smith but the midfielder couldn’t get the ball under control. 

A penalty appeal was then waved away as Jamal Lowe’s flick hit the hand of Tom Holmes – and the Swans were forced to settle for 0-0 at the break. 
 

More goal-scoring opportunities not taken

The early stages of the second half followed a similar theme. Joel Latibeaudiere replaced the injured Ryan Bennett and immediately forced another big save from Cabral with a downward header – who then proceeded to keep out further nodded efforts from Jake Bidwell and Ayew again. 

A Reading sucker punch seemed almost inevitable and in the dying moments it nearly came through Tom Mcintyre’s goalward header – with Freddie Woodman tipping over to prevent the smash and grab scenario. 

So Swansea head into 2021 third in the table, and undeniably in the mix for Premier League promotion. 

But to stay there, dominant displays like last night will have to be converted into results. 

Swansea City: Woodman; Cabango, Bennett (Latibeaudiere 53), Guehi; Roberts, Smith (Palmer 74), Fulton, Grimes (C), Bidwell; Lowe (Gyokeres 86), Ayew. Subs not used: Benda, Manning, Routledge, Dhanda, Garrick, Cooper. 
 
Reading: Rafael; Esteves, Holmes, Morrison (C), McIntyre, Rinomhota, Laurent, Ejaria (Richards 73), Olise, Semedo (Aluko 57), Baldock (Swift 67). Subs not used: Southwood, East, Melvin-Lambert, Dorsett, Watson. 
 
Referee: David Webb.