Russell Martin | The players deserved that, we could have won by more

Russell Martin felt his Swansea City side had finally got the result they deserved after securing a first home league win of the season against Huddersfield Town.

Joel Piroe netted the only goal of the game at the Swansea.com Stadium – his sixth in just nine appearances since joining from PSV Eindhoven – to secure all three points against the Terriers.

The Dutchman had chances to add to the Swans tally, with Jamie Paterson and the outstanding Flynn Downes also unable to convert opportunities in front of goal.

But it did not matter as Martin’s side secured a fifth clean sheet of the campaign, and he was pleased to see his players get the reward for their efforts.

“It was tense second half, probably a bit more tense than it needed to be,” he said.

“I think the first half was outstanding, it really was, in terms of some of the football we played, the intensity we played at and the way we pressed in terms of how many times we won the ball back.

“They are a side who are excellent and are based off real intensity and you could see that they are conditioned to play that way over the 90 minutes.

“The manager has had time to work with them and their energy did not drop, whereas ours did a little bit.

“But we should score more goals in the first half, we had some great chances and if we take those the second half becomes a lot easier and everyone can enjoy it and relax a little more.

“We still had the better moments in the second half, we have limited a good side to no shots on target, something we spoke about before the game and the players have shown outstanding effort and desire.

“It is coming, once we are really well conditioned to how we want to play, then you will hopefully see that first-half performance for longer periods.

“We had been frustrated not to win the two previous home games as I felt we deserved to, but we got what we deserved today and hopefully that will relax a few of the players and we can keep improving from here.”

The Swans boss also dedicated the win to the Jack Army, and thanked them for the support they continue to give him and the players.

“We wanted that win for everyone,” he added.

“We knew it was coming, we knew this was a tough game so I am pleased it has come because the players deserve it.

“It was great to celebrate with the fans, I have been waiting a long time to do that. The players did their part.

“But I have said all the way along – and I truly mean it – the support we have had has been incredible. You look at the numbers who went to Brighton on Wednesday, to make that trip in the middle of a week.

“The guys at Luton gave us so much energy. Today they stuck with us even if it was tense and nervous late on.

“But they stuck with us because I think they understand what is going on, the transition we have made and how much change is happening.

“We are trying to bring them back something which they were very proud of for a very long time.

“Hopefully we are on the way to doing it, although we know there is a lot of hard work to go.”