Steve Cooper hails work-rate of battling Swansea City

Steve Cooper hailed the battling qualities and work-rate of his Swansea City side as they reclaimed second place in the Championship with a 2-0 win over Blackburn.

Ben Cabango and Andre Ayew were on the scoresheet at the Liberty Stadium, while the Swans also kept a fifth clean sheet of the season against a Rovers side who had entered the weekend as the Championship’s topscorers.

The victory was a hard-fought one, but the hosts knuckled down to the task at hand, and head coach Cooper was delighted by the application his side showed, particularly in pressing with greater aggression and intensity in the second half.

“It was a tough game. The first half was not the prettiest and we took a while to settle, but second half we were better,” he said.

“The game was played more in Blackburn’s half, which was the message at half-time, to press the ball a bit more and run a bit more than we had in the first half.

“We wanted to take more care with the ball and we did that for the second goal.

“We know not every game can be the purest and we have to accept that, even though that is what we aim for.

“But it is also a good sign in those games that you can keep a clean sheet against a side who have scored more goals and had more shots than anyone else.

“You can see why they have done that, they have players that can create and make a difference, and we showed some good attributes today to get the win.”

Cooper was also pleased with the contrasting nature of Swansea’s goals.

Cabango’s came via a powerful header from a superb Connor Roberts’ corner, while Yan Dhanda teed up Ayew for the second at the end of a lovely team move.

“It was brilliant to see a great ball in from Connor and a great header from Cabango, that’s two goals for him now which is great,” added Cooper.

“The second goal was excellent, that’s the team we want to be.

“We want to be playing with the ball, working our way up the pitch in good positions.

“We felt getting down the sides was an option for us, and we got into a good position through good teamwork.

“Then Yan has picked out Andre with a brilliant assist, and Andre does what he does with a great header.”