Report | Swansea City 1 Bristol City 0
Zan Vipotnik continued his excellent form as his 18th goal of the season secured three points for Swansea City after a battling performance against Bristol City at the Swansea.com Stadium.
The Slovenian scored his sixth goal in his last four outings when he swept home a Jisung Eom knockdown just past the midway point of the first half.
It proved the difference in a game of few clear chances on a sodden afternoon in south Wales, and this was a victory built on hard work and spirit as Vitor Matos’ side found a way to extend their unbeaten run to eight home league games, with seven of those being victories.
There was another clean sheet, a seventh of Matos’ tenure, as the home side continue to head in the right direction in the table.
The Swans had shown three changes from the defeat at Derby County as Jay Fulton, Melker Widell and Gustavo Nunes came in for Marko Stamenic, Liam Cullen and Ronald, while the visitors had made a handful of changes following their midweek exertions against Wrexham.
The opening exchanges proved tight, although one lovely flick by Widell required George Tanner to sweep up before Vipotnik could strike.
Sinclair Armstrong then hit the inside of the near post at the other end after driving infield from near the byline, with the ball running across the face of goal and wide of the target.
Vipotnik had a shot blocked by Noah Eile after good work by Goncalo Franco and Jisung Eom down the right flank, while George Earthy was also denied by sharp defending as he took aim for the visitors.
But there had barely been a clear sight of goal until Vipotnik continued his superb goalscoring form by putting the hosts ahead.
Nunes cut inside to deliver an inviting deep cross, Eom knocked it back across goal and the Slovenian was on hand to volley in.
Swansea were energised by that goal, with Eom unable to pick out Vipotnik or other arrive white shirts after being freed into space, while the Korean was unable to reach an excellent ball into the channel from Ethan Galbraith.
Nevertheless, the Swans retained their lead at the interval but it was the Robins who made the brighter start to the second period with captain Jason Knight twice getting into good positions but seeing efforts at goal blocked by Cameron Burgess.
Swansea were penned back and Matos turned to his bench as Ronald replaced Nunes but Bristol City soon carved out their best chance to date when a driving run from Armstrong saw him play in Delano Burgzorg, with Vigouroux getting down well to make an important stop.
They threatened again when Neto Borges got the better of Galbraith, with Ben Cabango making a fine stop to cut out the winger’s attempted cross.
Vigouroux saved from Armstrong, while Vipotnik volleyed wide after a Galbraith cross had found its way to him at the back post.
Into the final 20 minutes and the Swans continued to hold on their advantage despite the pressure they were being placed under.
Substitute Emil Riis became the second visiting player to hit the woodwork when his effort to curl the ball into the far corner of the net beat Vigouroux but flicked the outside of the post.
Swans substitute Malick Yalcouye forced Vitek to save well late on, but there was still more work to do before the hosts were able to celebrate another three-point haul.
Swansea City: Lawrence Vigouroux; Ethan Galbraith (Joel Ward 79), Ben Cabango (captain), Cameron Burgess, Josh Tymon; Jay Fulton, Goncalo Franco (Leo Walta 79), Melker Widell (Malick Yalcouye 70); Gustavo Nunes (Ronald 53), Jisung Eom, Zan Vipotnik (Liam Cullen79).
Unused Substitutes: Andy Fisher, Josh Key, Ishe Samuels-Smith, Ollie Cooper.
Bristol City: Radek Vitek, Adam Randell (Max Bird 56), Rob Atkinson, Delano Burgzorg (Emil Riis 65), Jason Knight (captain), Tomi Horvat (Scott Twine 56), George Tanner, Neto Borges, Sinclair Armstrong (Sam Bell 80), Noah Eile, George Earthy (Mark Sykes 65).
Unused Substitutes: Joe Lumley, Cameron Pring, Joe Williams, Sam Morsy.
Referee: Will Finnie
Attendance: 18,009