Clinical edge pleases Swansea City boss Cooper

Steve Cooper was pleased to see Swansea City show a clinical edge in front of goal as they completed a league double over Barnsley.

In a hard-fought encounter played in difficult conditions in South Yorkshire, the visitors took the three points via goals from Ben Cabango and Jamal Lowe.

Those efforts proved to be Swansea’s two efforts on target in the 90 minutes, and they made the most of them to reward another rock-solid defensive showing.

“The goals came at good times, particularly the first one before half-time,” said Cooper.

“I know there’s never really a bad time to score but Ben is a threat at set-plays because he really attacks the ball.

“He’s scored three times and gone close other times.

“For Jamal, the opportunity presented itself and he did not half show a lot of composure and quality to put it away and put the game firmly in our hands.”

The Swans also racked up their 14th clean sheet in the league this season, and 15th in all competition, and have conceded just 13 goals in 24 games.

And Cooper was quick to point out that, while the goalscorers get the headlines, it’s the work of the team as a unit that makes such a record possible.

“All our clean sheets have been team efforts,” he added.

“There have been games where Freddie (Woodman) has made good saves for us, and there have been games where he will admit himself he has not had much to do.

“He made a good save or two tonight, and there were good blocks. You could see Andre running back and tackling and it was a real team effort, no doubt about it.”