Report | Swansea City 2 Oxford United 0

Marko Stamenic’s header and Josh Tymon’s brilliant volley saw Swansea City return to winning ways and give Vitor Matos a first victory as head coach by defeating Oxford United at the Swansea.com Stadium.

After a slow start, the Swans grew into the game and got their rewards when Stamenic headed home a Tymon free-kick at the far post for his first goal in Swansea colours. It was also the home side’s first set-piece goal in the Championship this season.

And Tymon doubled their lead in spectacular fashion by dispatching a stunning strike into the top corner right on the stroke of half-time.

Matos’ side had led 2-0 a week earlier at West Brom, but there were no wobbles here as they calmly steered their way through the second period for a first clean sheet since mid-October.

It ended a run of five defeats and there were clear signs of the brand of football the new Swans boss wants his side to play, and there will be plenty he and his players can take from this showing into Tuesday’s meeting with Portsmouth. 

The Swans had shown two changes from the defeat to West Bromwich Albion as Ronald came in for Zeidane Inoussa and Melker Widell replaced illness victim Josh Key.

After a cagey start, Swans hands were raised in appeal when Ronald tumbled in the area as he looked to reach a Jamie Cumming’s parry of a Tymon cross but the referee waved away the penalty shout.

Skipper Ben Cabango headed over from a set-piece a few moments later, while Stanley Mills blazed wide following an Oxford counter.

Zan Vipotnik headed narrowly wide following a sweeping attack which Ethan Galbraith was the architect of, driving forward and infield from right-back to exchange passes with Tymon and then pick out the Slovenian with his cross.

The Swans began to build pressure, with some crisp attacking patterns getting them into the final third.

One of those attacks ended with Brian De Keersmaecker pulling off an outstanding challenge to push Tymon’s pull-back away from the onrushing Galbraith.

Vipotnik then volleyed home from a Galbrath knockdown as a clever Swansea set-piece so nearly paid dividends, but the Northern Ireland international was adjudged to be offside.

Galbraith was everywhere, and he volleyed narrowly over after a corner had only been cleared to him at the edge of the box.

But the hosts did lead as Tymon’s free-kick to the far post picked out Stamenic, and the New Zealander guided his header into the net.

And the Swans doubled their lead right on half-time with a stunning strike from Tymon.

Oxford could only clear to the left-back and his first-time volley flew through a sea of bodies to find the top corner.

Jisung Eom had a volley of his own blocked early in the second half while, at the other end, Lawrence Vigouroux got down to hold Michal Helik’s close-range prod after a scramble from a corner.

Eom had been a bundle of energy down the Swansea left, and he drove the Swans forward once again after linking with Tymon and Widell, before cutting infield to get away a low strike that deflected harmlessly wide.

The hour mark came and went with the Swans still two goals to the good, and Oxford boss Gary Rowett rolled the dice by making four changes as he looked to change the flow of the contest.

Will Lankshear rolled an effort wide from 25 yards as Vigouroux kept a watching brief before Galbraith drove forward and got away an effort that thumped straight into the grasp of Cumming.

Substitute Liam Cullen steered an effort over the bar after good pressing had forced a mistake from Oxford at the back.

And Vigouroux preserved the clean sheet with a fantastic save to deny Ole Romenij with his outstretched foot as the Swans eased to an important win.

Swansea City: Lawrence Vigouroux, Ethan Galbraith (Jay Fulton 90), Ben Cabango (captain), Cameron Burgess, Josh Tymon; Goncalo Franco (Liam Cullen 79), Marko Stamenic, Melker Widell (Kaelan Casey 72); Ronald, Jisung Eom (Adam Idah 80); Zan Vipotnik (Zeidane Inoussa 72).

Unused Substitutes: Andy Fisher, Malick Yalcouye, Manuel Benson, Sam Parker.

Oxford United: Jamie Cumming, Sam Long, Ciaron Brown, Will Vaulks, Michal Helik (captain), Mark Harris (Will Lankshear 63), Luke Harris (Ole Romenij 63), Brian De Keersmaecker, Stanley Mills (Hidde ter Avest 63), Jack Currie (Greg Leigh 80), Filip Krastev (Nic Prelec 62).

Unused Substitutes: Matt Ingram, Tyler Goodrham, Tom Bradshaw, Ben Davies.

Referee: Anthony Backhouse

Attendance: 17,318