Freddie Woodman salutes "brilliant shift" after victory at Barnsley

Freddie Woodman saluted Swansea City for rolling up their sleeves and doing the dirty work in order to secure a 1-0 win at Barnsley in their Championship play-off semi-final first leg.

Steve Cooper’s side take a slender advantage into the return leg thanks to Andre Ayew’s first-half goal at Oakwell.

It proved the difference in a tight encounter in Yorkshire, with Woodman making a string of crucial saves including a double stop to deny Carlton Morris and Callum Brittain.

And Woodman was full of praise for his team-mates’ efforts which saw them clinch a 21st clean sheet of the Championship campaign.

“It’s a really good result. We went there to win and that’s what we did, but we found out last year that a 1-0 lead means nothing,” said Woodman.

“We’ve gone to Barnsley before, and it was the same – a battle. We knew they were going to put up a fight and it wasn’t going to be the prettiest game, but we had to do the dirty work.

“The whole team put a brilliant shift in. We can say that about most of the games this season.

“It is quite exciting when you’re busy and making saves to keep a clean sheet. I’m really happy that I’m playing my part in this team, and long may it continue.”