Grimes: Goal a weight off my shoulders

19th March
First team

Matt Grimes says he feels as though a weight has been lifted from his shoulders after scoring his first Swansea City goal in over three-and-a-half years.

The 23-year-old held his nerve to give the Swans the lead from the spot in their thrilling FA Cup clash with Manchester City.

It was the first goal the former Exeter man had scored for the Swans since he netted in a 3-0 victory over York City in the League Cup back in August 2015.

Grimes has had spells with Blackburn, Leeds and Northampton in the intervening period, and scored four goals for the Cobblers last season.

But he was still relieved to be back on the scoresheet in a Swansea shirt, having had a bit of stick from his team-mates over his lack of a goal during the 2018-19 campaign.

"On a personal note, it was a little bit of a weight off my shoulders to get my first goal of the season to be honest," said Grimes. 

"I’ve been getting some stick from my team-mates, so I knew I had to get on the scoresheet soon. So I’m happy the goal has finally come.

"Obviously I would rather it had come in a victory, but we showed what we are capable of against one of the really top teams."