Swansea manager Michael Duff was overjoyed as his team extended their undefeated streak in the Championship to four games by defeating Norwich 2-1 at home in a valiant performance.
In difficult circumstances, Duff’s team earned a well-earned victory by applying pressure to the Canaries, who entered the game in the play-off places. Jamal Lowe scored the game’s first goal less than three minutes in, and Norwich’s Gabriel Sara responded with a diving header to tie the score. Chelsea loanee Bashir Humphreys then put the game away with his first goal as a senior player eight minutes from time. Sign up here to receive the newest Swans news in your email.
After playing their first seven games without a win, the Swans won their third straight league game, defeating both Sheffield Wednesday and Millwall by scores of 3-0. Prior to the spectacular reversal in results, Duff was under a lot of pressure, but that strain has since subsided, and the manager was justifiably pleased with how his team maintained their winning streak.
“I was delighted with the result and the performance as well,” he stated. “We went on the front foot early in the game and played with tremendous determination. I think we used the ball effectively, and the first goal was the result of a high push. We held our ground in the second half and played the game pretty effectively. Compared to a very capable Norwich squad, we represented decent value.
“There are lots of hard games in this league but I think they are one of the better teams in the league,” he stated. “I believe we had around 20 shots, and we outperformed them at the end. At the conclusion, the crowd rallied around us, which was encouraging. They added the extra six minutes, and the guys made it through because they were completely out of breath
Swansea’s players gave it their all on the field, and it is how they won the game. It was a stark contrast to what supporters had witnessed only a few weeks prior, when their team had suffered penalties for sluggish performances against Bristol City and in the South Wales derby.
He said, “Go back to [that time]]. “There was no intensity or intention. We were sluggish and careless with the ball, and tonight, in my opinion, was the exact reverse. Even if they have fantastic players, you sometimes have to respect them and allow them have the ball in some spots. We were still attempting to push them and go on the front foot.
“I really think that effort pays off. It has guided my behaviour for the past 30 years. And the players today earned that. I advised them to enjoy it since it would be difficult. They are so out of breath in the locker room that their lungs are pouring out of their mouths, yet we play again on Saturday.
The suspected injury to Ben Cabango midway through the second half was the one significant letdown from the midweek match. A hefty charge from Norwich’s Jonathan Rowe caused the defender, who had been called up to Rob Page’s Wales team just hours before the match at the Swansea.com Stadium, to stagger off.
Duff acknowledged that he had a hamstring injury and hoped it wasn’t too serious, but he also acknowledged that there was a risk the 23-year-old could not be ready to play against Gibraltar next week or in the critical match against Croatia.
“We don’t know how bad it is,” he claimed. “In the first half, he felt it. The good news is that nothing has gone bang, so there may only be some cramping or weariness. Coming off, he made the proper decision.
Ben will be eager to go and represent his country over the upcoming international break, but if he’s not well by the weekend, it’s very doubtful that he will.
