Swansea City | Every game of 2021

31st December
First team
Reading away Ben Cabango celebration

As we move closer to a new year, we look back at every game played by Swansea City in 2021.

The year kicked off with a home game against a Watford side that would eventually get promoted, with the Swans falling at the last hurdle in a play-off final defeat to Brentford under Steve Cooper.

With Russell Martin installed as head coach in August, the Swans began the 2021-22 with a new regime. And they ended the year prematurely as games were called off due Covid-19 with a clash against Cooper’s Nottingham Forest at the Swansea.com Stadium.

Swansea City 2 Watford 1

Championship: Saturday, January 2

Jamal Lowe struck a superb double as the Swans came from behind to start 2021 with victory over Watford, and climb to second in the Championship table.

Tom Cleverley had given the Hornets the lead, but the Swans took control of the contest and levelled with a lovely strike from the in-form Lowe.

And the striker completed the turnaround in the second half as he headed home his eighth goal of the season, taking his recent tally to six in six games.

Stevenage 0 Swansea City 2

FA Cup: Saturday, January 9

Headed goals from Wayne Routledge and Viktor Gyokeres helped the Swans overcome League Two Stevenage and book their place in the FA Cup fourth round.

Wearing the captain’s armband in the absence of Matt Grimes, Routledge opened the scoring after seven minutes when he nodded home Yan Dhanda’s cross.

And Gyokeres doubled the lead with his first Swansea goal just six minutes into the second half; heading past Stevenage keeper Jamie Cumming after a delicious cross from Jordon Garrick.

Freddie Woodman saved from Luke Norris’ penalty to preserve a seventh clean sheet from nine games.

Barnsley 0 Swansea City 2

Championship: Saturday, January 16

The Swans stretched their unbeaten run to six games in all competitions as goals from Ben Cabango and Jamal Lowe saw them beat Barnsley and tighten their grip on second place in the Championship table.

At the end of a scrappy opening half Cabango netted the opener with a glancing header to register his third goal of the season.

And in-form striker Lowe took his tally to nine this campaign, with seven coming in his last seven appearances, when he calmly capitalised on a slip-up in the Barnsley defence.

Swansea City 5 Nottingham Forest 1

FA Cup: Saturday, January 23

Matt Grimes and Liam Cullen scored a brace apiece as the Swans marched through to the FA Cup fifth round with a thumping victory over Nottingham Forest.

Cullen opened the scoring with a neat volley after just seven minutes, while a 25-yard thunderbolt from Grimes doubled the lead on the half-hour mark.

Although Anthony Knockaert pulled one back for the visitors after the break, the skipper grabbed his second from the penalty spot before Cullen completed his double with another brilliant first-time finish from close range.

And substitute Ollie Cooper put the icing on the cake when he drilled home six minutes from time for his first senior goal.

Swansea City 1 Brentford 1

Championship: Wednesday, January 27

Conor Hourihane’s first goal for the club ensured the 10-man Swans extended their unbeaten run to eight games and climbed back into second place in the Championship table with a hard-earned point against Brentford.

The hosts had looked set to suffer a rare defeat when Tariqe Fosu-Henry headed home with 16 minutes to play, shortly after Kyle Naughton had seen red after receiving two yellow cards from referee John Brooks.

But Hourihane, on his first league appearance for his new club, caught out the Brentford defence and keeper with a whipped free-kick that found the far corner of the net.

Rotherham United 1 Swansea City 3

Championship: Saturday, January 30

The Swans closed the gap at the top of the Championship table to four points as they overcame Rotherham United at the New York Stadium.

First-half goals from Conor Hourihane and Matt Grimes put the visitors in command in Yorkshire.

And although Rotherham pulled one back through Freddie Ladapo after the break, substitute Jay Fulton made an immediate impact from the bench to restore the two-goal buffer and secure the points.

Swansea City 2 Norwich City 0

Championship: Friday, February 5

Goals from Andre Ayew and Conor Hourihane saw the Swans return to second in the Championship and close to within two points of leaders Norwich by beating the Canaries in SA1.

At the end of an even first-half Ayew netted his ninth goal of the season as he turned and coolly finished from close range after Norwich had failed to deal with a set-piece.

Hourihane then scored for the third game in a row with a superb strike early in the second half, with the Swans – who saw Kyle Naughton make his 200th appearance for the club - then defending resolutely to collect a 15th clean sheet of the Championship season.

Swansea City 1 Manchester City 3

FA Cup: Wednesday, February 10

The Swans’ FA Cup run came to an end despite a battling display against Manchester City in their fifth-round tie in SA1.

Kyle Walker’s cross found its way into the net to give the visitors the half-time lead, and quickfire strikes from Raheem Sterling and Gabriel Jesus put the Premier League leaders firmly in control after the interval.

But the Swans never wilted, and got a deserved goal as striker Morgan Whittaker marked his debut with an excellent finish with 13 minutes to go.

Swansea City 1 Nottingham Forest 0

Championship: Wednesday, February 17

Connor Roberts was the hero for the Swans as his late header secured a dramatic victory over Nottingham Forest.

The wing-back, who also netted the winner in the reverse fixture at the City Ground, settled an otherwise scrappy contest three minutes from time when he powered home from Jake Bidwell's cross.

Roberts' third goal of the season moved the Swans up to third place in the Championship table, while taking their clean sheet tally for the season to 16.

Huddersfield Town 4 Swansea City 1

Championship: Saturday, February 20

The Swans fell to defeat as three goals inside seven second-half minutes helped Huddersfield Town to victory at the John Smith’s Stadium.

The Swans went behind to a Fraizer Campbell strike but levelled right on half-time when Conor Hourihane curled in a free-kick for his fourth goal for the club.

But the hosts netted again through Lewis O’Brien and a Duane Holmes brace, with the trio of goals arriving before 10 minutes had elapsed in the second period.

And a disappointing afternoon was compounded when substitute Jordan Morris suffered an ACL injury that would end the loanee’s season with the Swans.

Swansea City 1 Coventry City 0

Championship: Wednesday, February 24

Ben Cabango’s fourth goal of the season helped the Swans bounce back from their defeat at Huddersfield Town with victory over Coventry City in SA1.

The Wales international nodded home Conor Hourihane’s corner in the 53rd minute to seal a 17th win and 17th clean sheet of the Championship campaign.

Victory meant the Swans sat eight points behind leaders Norwich City and one behind second-placed Brentford, with two games in hand.

Swansea City 1 Bristol City 3

Championship: Saturday, February 27

The Swans suffered their first home Championship defeat in 14 games as Bristol City claimed the spoils.

The hosts had dominated large periods of the first half and edged their noses in front 10 minutes after the break through Andre Ayew's penalty.

But the visitors - overseen by new boss Nigel Pearson for the first time - responded with Nakhi Wells equalising, before former Swans loanee Kasey Palmer scored straight from a corner to complete the turnaround.

And the hosts' misery was completed in stoppage time, when substitute Antoine Semenyo charged down Freddie Woodman's attempted clearance and slotted into the empty net.

Stoke City 1 Swansea City 2

Championship: Wednesday, March 3

Andre Ayew’s last-gasp penalty saw the Swans come from behind to beat Stoke City and secure a first victory at the bet365 Stadium since 2001.

The Swans had trailed early on to a Nick Powell strike, but responded well and levelled when Connor Roberts met Ryan Manning’s cross to volley home his fourth goal of the season.

And Ayew sealed all three points in the dying seconds of stoppage time, converting nervelessly from the spot after Jack Clarke had brought down Kyle Naughton.

Swansea City 2 Middlesbrough 1

Championship: Saturday, March 6

Andre Ayew struck a second last-gasp penalty in less than 72 hours to earn the Swans victory over Middlesbrough.

Ayew had put the Swans ahead when he volleyed in his 12th goal of the season five minutes before the break after a defensive mix-up by the visitors.

But they looked as though they had been denied all three points when Sam Morsy's deflected strike in second-half stoppage time brought Boro level.

However, there was still time for Jake Bidwell to be felled as he attempted to reach a cut-back into the area and the officials to award a penalty.

And, as had been the case in the win at Stoke in midweek, Ayew kept his nerve to seal the most dramatic of victories.

Blackburn Rovers 1 Swansea City 1

Championship: Tuesday, March 9

The Swans moved level on points with the automatic promotion places as Andre Ayew’s fourth penalty in four games secured a hard-earned point at Blackburn.

Victory would have moved the Swans into the top two, but they fell behind when Bradley Dack’s low strike opened the scoring at Ewood Park.

But the visitors quickly levelled thanks to Ayew’s 14th goal of the season, as he once again kept his nerve from the penalty spot.

Luton Town 0 Swansea City 1

Championship: Saturday, March 13

Conor Hourihane’s early strike saw the Swans temporarily climb into the automatic promotion places with a narrow victory over Luton at blustery Kenilworth Road.

In difficult conditions, Republic of Ireland international Hourihane netted his fifth goal since arriving on loan from Aston Villa as he fired home Yan Dhanda’s pull-back and inflicted just a fifth home defeat of the season on the Hatters.

The Swans had to defend well as the like of Elijah Adebayo and Harry Cornick threatened for the hosts, but they sealed an 18th clean sheet of the season to make it 10 points from the last 12.

It moved them up to second in the table, but Watford’s win at Cardiff later in the day put the Hornets back ahead of the Swans on goal difference having played a game more.

Bournemouth 3 Swansea City 0

Championship: Tuesday, March 16

The Swans suffered a first defeat in five games as two first-half goals set Bournemouth on the way to victory at the Vitality Stadium.

The home side took an early lead through Phil Billing’s spectacular volley, and extended their advantage via a Joel Latibeaudiere own goal just before the break.

Arnaut Danjuma rounded off the scoring for the Cherries when he lashed home a left-footed strike in the closing stages.

Swansea City 0 Cardiff City 1

Championship: Saturday, March 20

The Swans suffered back-to-back defeats for the first time this season as Aden Flint’s early header settled the south Wales derby.

The centre-back nodded in from close range in the eighth minute and, despite heavy pressure from the hosts for much of the final hour, the hosts could not find a leveller.

Andre Ayew went closest to an equaliser, as he glanced a Connor Roberts corner against the far post in the second half, while Morgan Whittaker was twice denied by keeper Dillon Phillips.

Birmingham City 1 Swansea City 0

Championship: Friday, April 2

The Swans fell to a third consecutive defeat after sub Scott Hogan scored an injury-time penalty to boost Birmingham City’s survival hopes.

In a game that looked destined for a 0-0 draw, the Blues claimed the points with their second penalty of the night after sub Yan Dhanda slipped and tripped Ivan Sunjic.

Woodman had earlier kept out Lukas Jutkiewicz’s penalty following Connor Roberts’ foul on Jonathan Leko, but he could do nothing about Hogan’s late strike.

Swansea City 0 Preston 1

Championship: Monday, April 5

The Swans suffered more late heartbreak as an own goal by Matt Grimes in stoppage time saw them fall to a fourth defeat in a row against Preston.

Having lost to a last-gasp Birmingham penalty on Friday, the Swans had looked set to end their sequence of defeats - and were pressing for a winner - when a shot from a half-cleared corner fell to Scott Sinclair in the 91st minute.

Freddie Woodman got down to make the save, but the deflection off the keeper hit the covering Grimes and bounced into the back of the Swansea net.

Millwall 0 Swansea City 3

Championship: Saturday, April 10

The Swans returned to winning ways in emphatic fashion as goals from Andre Ayew and Jamal Lowe sealed a dominant victory at Millwall.

They took the lead right on half-time as Ayew superbly curled home his 15th goal of the season from just inside the area.

And Lowe then netted his 10th goal of the campaign with a sweet finish after running on to a pass from the excellent Wayne Routledge, who showcased all his skill and nous in his first league start of the current term.

That ended Lowe's wait for a goal, and another was not long in coming as he rifled the ball into the top corner with five minutes to go.

Sheffield Wednesday 0 Swansea City 2

Championship: Tuesday, April 13

The Swans made it two wins and two clean sheets from consecutive away games as Jamal Lowe and Jay Fulton found the net to secure just a second-ever victory at Hillsborough.

The south Yorkshire venue had not been a happy hunting ground historically for the Swans, but Lowe set them on their way to win number two from 18 visits as he slotted home his 12th goal of the season from Andre Ayew’s unselfish lay-off.

Freddie Woodman and Ryan Bennett made key defensive contributions for the visitors, and their efforts were rewarded when Fulton powered home a second-half header to seal the three points.

Swansea City 2 Wycombe Wanderers 2

Championship: Saturday, April 17

A late Swans fightback saw them earn a point against Wycombe Wanderers and close the gap to the automatic promotion spots at the Liberty Stadium.

After a goalless first half, the visitors struck twice inside the first six minutes of the second half as Admiral Muskwe and Garath McCleary found the net.

That left the hosts facing an uphill struggle, but a Jamal Lowe penalty and a header from Liam Cullen saw the spoils shared.

Swansea City 0 QPR 1

Championship: Tuesday, April 20

Lyndon Dykes struck in the 90th minute to condemn the Swans to a last-gasp defeat at the hands of Queens Park Rangers.

Automatic promotion hopes were all but over for the Swans after Dykes landed the killer blow in the dying seconds.

Earlier on, both sides were denied by the woodwork with Wayne Routledge's deflected strike crashing against the upright, which also kept out QPR's Ilias Chair on two occasions.

The game appeared to be heading for a stalemate until Dykes controlled in the box, before drilling a low shot past a helpless Freddie Woodman.

Reading 2 Swansea City 2

Championship: Sunday, April 25

The Swans conceded a stoppage-time equaliser but goals from Jamal Lowe and Andre Ayew still secured a place in the play-offs at Reading.

The Swans had trailed at the Madejski Stadium as Yakou Meite headed in a 30th-minute opener for a Royals side needing a win to keep their top-six hopes alive.

The visitors, meanwhile, needed a point and Lowe put them on course for that when he knocked in his 14th goal of the season from close range.

Substitute Andre Ayew had helped to create the equaliser, and the Ghanaian then put his side ahead when he calmly fired home from a Jake Bidwell pull-back for his 16th goal this term.

Lowe hit the post, and Reading made the most of the fortune as they levelled through Tomas Esteves in time added on, but it was not enough to prevent Swansea ensuring they will finish in the top six.

Swansea City 2 Derby County 1

Championship: Saturday, May 1

Two goals in three second-half minutes saw the Swans return to winning ways at the Liberty Stadium and increase Derby’s relegation concerns.

The Swans had trailed to a Tom Lawrence header with an hour gone in SA1, but turned the game around in the blink of an eye.

Morgan Whittaker headed home his first league goal for the Swans against the club he left in January to level matters, before Connor Roberts showed superb technique to volley home what proved to be the winner.

Watford 2 Swansea City 0

Championship: Saturday, May 8

The Swans fell to defeat in their final league game of the season as goals from Andre Gray and Isaac Success earned Watford victory at Vicarage Road.

The Swans enjoyed the better of long periods of the contest and had chances, with Andre Ayew, Liam Cullen, Matt Grimes and Jamal Lowe among those to have opportunities to get on the scoresheet.

But Gray’s goal, the striker claiming it after a clearance ricocheted in off him, put the Hornets ahead before Success sealed the win in emphatic fashion.

Despite the defeat, the Swans finished the regular season in fourth place, with a two-legged semi-final against Barnsley awaiting them in the play-offs.

Barnsley 0 Swansea City 1

Championship play-off semi-final first leg: Monday, May 17

The Swans drew first blood in their play-off battle with Barnsley thanks to Andre Ayew’s superb strike.

In a hard-fought contest of unrelenting commitment from both sides, it was a moment of quality from Swansea’s top scorer that proved the difference; Ayew firing home his 17th goal of the season with his left foot seven minutes before the break.

The visitors had to weather spells of heavy pressure from the Tykes after the break but, with the likes of Marc Guehi, Kyle Naughton, skipper Matt Grimes and Freddie Woodman outstanding defensively, they secured another clean sheet ahead of the return leg in south Wales five days later.

Swansea City 1 Barnsley 1

Championship play-off semi-final second leg: Saturday, May 22

A moment of magic from Matt Grimes sent the Swans to Wembley as the skipper’s first-half strike helped the hosts through to the Championship play-off final.

In another tight, hard-fought contest with Barnsley, midfielder Grimes put the hosts in control as he curled a wonderful strike into the far corner seven minutes before the break.

That gave the Swans a 2-0 aggregate lead following their first-leg win at Oakwell on Monday, as they were roared on by the returning Jack Army.

Cauley Woodrow levelled on the night with 20 minutes left to set up a nervy finish, but Swansea showed character and nerve to book a spot in the final against Brentford at Wembley with a place in the Premier League on the line.

Brentford 2 Swansea City 0

Championship play-off final: Saturday, May 29

The Swans’ promotion hopes were dashed at the last hurdle as two early goals saw Brentford claim victory at Wembley.

An Ivan Toney penalty and a smart finish from Emiliano Marcondes left the Swans two goals down with barely 20 minutes played in the play-off final.

The Swans responded well, Andre Ayew hitting the bar and heading a great chance wide, but when Jay Fulton was sent off with 25 minutes to go it left the Swans with too big a task to overcome.

Blackburn Rovers 2 Swansea City 1

Championship: Saturday, August 7

Jamie Paterson marked his debut with a goal but it was not enough to see the Swans pick up a point in Russell Martin’s first game in charge at Ewood Park.

Goals from Sam Gallagher and Ben Brereton-Diaz, the latter from the penalty spot after Steven Benda had fouled Tyrhys Dolan, had put Rovers two goals to the good.

Paterson fired high into the net after a lovely, flowing attack and the visitors had the better of the final 30 minutes or so.

Liam Cullen was denied an equaliser by a superb save from Thomas Kaminski, while there were moments where an accurate final pass would have created an opportunity.

Reading 0 Swansea City 3

League Cup: Tuesday, August 10

The Swans booked their place in the second round of the Carabao Cup and gave Russell Martin his first win as head coach with a dominant showing at Reading.

Set-piece goals from Joel Latibeaudiere - his first for the club - and Ben Cabango had the Swans well in control, before Joel Piroe marked his debut following his arrival from PSV Eindhoven by calmly sweeping home the third.

Swansea City 0 Sheffield United 0

Championship: Saturday, August 14

The Swans picked up their first point under Russell Martin with a goalless draw against promotion favourites Sheffield United at the Swansea.com Stadium.

Missing a number of players through injury and suspension, the Swans performed admirably against a Blades side made up entirely of players who were plying their trade in the Premier League last term.

Their best chances fell to Joel Latibeaudiere and Jamal Lowe, while former Swan Rhian Brewster and David McGoldrick had the visitors’ best opportunities as it ended in stalemate.

Nevertheless, there were again plenty of positives to take from the manner of the Swans’ display – including an assured debut from Flynn Downes - as they were roared on by a near-capacity crowd as the Jack Army returned in their numbers to cheer on their side.

Swansea City 1 Stoke City 3

Championship: Tuesday, August 17

The Swans fell to defeat at the Swansea.com Stadium as Stoke City claimed the spoils.

Nick Powell, Sam Clucas and Leo Ostigard were on the scoresheet for the Potters, who picked up just their third away win of the calendar year.

The Swans enjoyed the lion’s share of possession and had periods of control, but struggled to create any real clear-cut chances until substitute Joel Piroe pulled one back with a far-post header, which sparked a strong finish to the contest without the home side adding to their tally.

Bristol City 0 Swansea City 1

Championship: Friday, August 20

Joel Piroe’s superb finish saw the Swans pick up their first Championship win under head coach Russell Martin, and secured just a second victory at Ashton Gate in 28 years.

The Dutch striker netted his third goal in four Swansea appearances since his summer move from PSV Eindhoven, emphatically finding the net after his original strike had come back off the post.

He went close to adding to the Swans tally, as did Jamie Paterson, while Steven Benda made a handful of fine saves at the other end in what was an entertaining encounter.

Swansea City 4 Plymouth Argyle 1

League Cup: Tuesday, August 24

A quickfire hat-trick from Morgan Whittaker helped the Swans get past Plymouth Argyle to reach the third round of the Carabao Cup.

Russell Martin’s side had looked to be on track when midfielder Daniel Williams saw his low, deflected shot take a minor touch of Jamal Lowe before finding the net in the 29th minute, but they were pegged back after the break as Rhys Shirley finished from close range.

But the hosts avoided the nerves of a penalty shoot-out as Whittaker took aim from distance to find the net with a left-footed strike, before finished off a sweeping counter sparked by Jamal Lowe, and then steering in another in stoppage time.

The trio of goals had come in the space of just 11 minutes and it gave the former Derby man a slice of Swansea history as he became the first player to score a hat-trick for the club since Scott Sinclair in the play-off final at Wembley in 2011.

Preston 3 Swansea City 1

Championship: Saturday, August 28

Joel Piroe grabbed his fourth goal in five games but the Swans fell to defeat against Preston at Deepdale.

The in-form summer signing had fired Russell Martin’s side ahead in Lancashire, firing home right-footed to end a slick move.

But that lead was quickly cancelled out by Sepp van den Berg, and when Emil Riis and Ben Whiteman netted just before and after the interval respectively, the game was beyond the visitors.

The Swans also lost Joel Latibeaudiere to injury early on to compound a difficult afternoon.

Swansea City 0 Hull City 0

Championship: Saturday, September 11

The Swans could not find the reward for a dominant performance with the ball as they were held to a goalless draw by Hull City at the Swansea.com Stadium.

The Swans had the lion’s share of possession, and 16 shots to just three from the Tigers, but they could not break the deadlock.

Matt Grimes went closest as his free-kick was palmed onto the post, while the Swans were also denied what look a cast-iron penalty when Ethan Laird was brought down in the box.

The hosts undoubtedly showed the impact of a couple of weeks of extended time on the training pitch under new head coach Russell Martin, but will have been disappointed not to take all three points.

Swansea City 0 Millwall 0

Championship: Wednesday, September 15

The Swans played out a second home draw in succession as they were held by Millwall at the Swansea.com Stadium.

Russell Martin’s side had their chances, with Joel Piroe, Jamie Paterson and Michael Obafemi going closest; the latter seeing his effort clip the outside of the post.

Swansea again had the better of territory and possession, with long periods of control, but could not find a breakthrough.

Ben Hamer kept a second-straight clean sheet, and made two important saves during the closing stages as it ended all-square.

Luton Town 3 Swansea City 3

Championship: Saturday, September 18

A pulsating second-half comeback saw the Swans come from three goals down to claim a point against Luton Town at Kenilworth Road.

Russell Martin’s side had looked dead and buried at the break, having trailed 3-0 after Luke Berry’s seventh-minute volley was followed by an Elijah Adebayo brace – his first from the penalty spot – as the Swans were given a mountain to climb.

The visitors were a different team in the second half, looking more themselves as they had more composure on the ball and passed with intent.

Jamie Paterson struck the crossbar, but he wasn’t to be denied as he reduced the deficit with a shot that Simon Sluga could only parry into his own net.

Then sub Olivier Ntcham rattled in his first goal for the club with four minutes remaining, and the 831 Jacks behind the goal were sent into raptures as Joel Piroe blasted into the bottom corner after being set up by the lively Ethan Laird in stoppage time.

Incredibly, the Swans almost won it with seconds remaining as Laird’s pace caught out Sluga and the Luton defence as they dallied over a through ball. Laird crossed to Obafemi, who was ten yards out, but he was denied by some last-gasp defending.

The game, however, would be marred by alleged racist abuse directed at Swans loanee Rhys Williams.

Brighton 2 Swansea City 0

League Cup: Wednesday, September 22

The Swans exited the Carabao Cup at the third-round stage despite a brave effort against Premier League hosts Brighton.

Two first-half goals from Republic of Ireland international Aaron Connelly effectively did the damage for the Seagulls at the Amex Stadium, with the striker finding the net in the 33rd and 38th minute as Graham Potter saw off his former club.

Russell Martin’s side put in a spirited display, and had enjoyed the better of the first half before Connolly’s brace, while they rattled the crossbar twice after the break.

Swansea City 1 Huddersfield Town 0

Championship: Saturday, September 25

Joel Piroe’s sixth goal of the season saw the Swans secure a first home league win of the campaign against Huddersfield at the Swansea.com Stadium.

The Dutchman took his tally to half dozen in just nine appearances when he finished off a flowing team move in the 17th minute.

Fulham 3 Swansea City 1

Championship: Wednesday, September 29

The marksmanship of Aleksandar Mitrovic proved the difference as the Swans fell to defeat in an entertaining clash with Fulham at Craven Cottage.

Serbian forward Mitrovic had scored all of Fulham’s goals against the Swans two seasons ago, and repeated the feat here as his first-half treble gave the hosts the points.

The Swans had pulled it back to 2-1 through a superb finish from Jamie Paterson, and they had chances to get something from the game, with Flynn Downes and Ethan Laird among those to go close.

The visitors also had the lion’s share of possession, but it was the clinical finishing of the hosts that ultimately settled the contest.

Derby County 0 Swansea City 0

Championship: Saturday, October 2

The Swans played out a fourth draw in the last six league games as they shared the spoils with Derby County at a sodden Pride Park.

Once again Russell Martin’s side bossed long periods of the game and dominated possession and territory without finding the breakthrough.

Matt Grimes and Jake Bidwell went closest during the first half, while the Swans also needed keeper Ben Hamer to make a trio of terrific saves to deny Tom Lawrence at the other end after the interval.

Substitute Liam Cullen was then unable to turn in a wonderful cross from Bidwell during the closing stages as the Swans missed the chance for just a second away win against the Rams in 40 years.

Swansea City 3 Cardiff City 0

Championship: Sunday, October 17

The Swans claimed the south Wales derby bragging rights with an emphatic victory over Cardiff City at the Swansea.com Stadium.

Jamie Paterson struck the opener and provided two assists for Joel Piroe and Jake Bidwell as the Swans were rampant in SA1.

Russell Martin’s side were in complete control as they made full use of their possession and territorial advantage.

Paterson’s goal opened the scoring, with his 25-yard left-footed shot striking both posts before crossing the line.

Piroe then doubled the lead on the hour mark following a superb pass from Paterson, before the latter crossed for Bidwell to hammer home the final nail.

Swansea City 2 West Brom 1

Championship: Wednesday, October 20

The Swans came from behind to beat West Brom and claim consecutive Championship victories for the first time under Russell Martin.

The visitors, second in the table going into this game, were ahead after just 52 seconds as they stunned the Swansea.com Stadium.

But the Swans came out fighting and goals after the break from Joel Piroe and derby-day hero Jamie Paterson sealed the points.

Paterson, like he had three days earlier against Cardiff, provided the assist for Piroe on the hour mark as the Dutchman struck his eighth goal of the season.

Then the partnership was flipped as Piroe turned provider, setting up Paterson who went on to nutmeg Kyle Bartley and poke home into the corner of the net for his fifth league goal in 13 games.

Birmingham City 2 Swansea City 1

Championship: Saturday, October 23

A late strike from substitute Riley McGree saw the Swans slip to a 2-1 defeat against Birmingham at St Andrew’s.

Birmingham broke the deadlock straight after half-time as Troy Deeney finished well after good work from Tahith Chong.

The Swans rallied, however, and levelled with 13 minutes to play when substitute Michael Obafemi produced a fine finish after a great pass from Ryan Manning.

But the Blues struck the winner just five minutes later as McGree tapped into an empty net despite a fine stop from Ben Hamer.

Swansea City 3 Peterborough United 0

Championship: Saturday, October 30

The Swans made it four home wins on the bounce as three first-half goals saw Russell Martin’s side ease past Peterborough United at the Swansea.com Stadium.

Jake Bidwell opened the scoring inside two minutes, with Joel Piroe and Olivier Ntcham also on the scoresheet for the hosts as they also registered another clean sheet.

The winning margin could, and perhaps should, have been greater, but there was no disputing Swansea’s dominance as they enjoyed 66 per cent of possession and completed over 92 per cent of their 770 passes as they had 13 shots to the visitors’ two.

Coventry City 1 Swansea City 2

Championship: Tuesday, November 2

The Swans ended Coventry’s unbeaten home record and secured a second away victory of the season thanks to a fast start at the CBS Arena.

Goals inside the opening 12 minutes from Jamie Paterson and Joel Piroe – the latter registering his 10th goal already this term – had Russell Martin’s side in command as they came out of the blocks sharply.

But the Sky Blues underlined why they have enjoyed such an impressive start to the campaign by hitting back through a Kyle McFadzean header during an entertaining and absorbing opening half.

Bournemouth 4 Swansea City 0

Championship: Saturday, November 6

The Swans suffered defeat at Bournemouth as a brace apiece from Dominic Solanke and Jaidon Anthony gave the Championship leaders the three points at the Vitality Stadium.

Russell Martin’s men had started really brightly on the south coast, but Solanke’s opener left them a goal down at the break.

And the striker added his second soon after the restart, before Anthony struck the third for the hosts and completed the scoring in stoppage time.

Swansea City 1 Blackpool 1

Championship: Saturday, November 20

The Swans were denied a fifth home win in a row as Keshi Anderson's late goal ensured the spoils were shared at the Swansea.com Stadium.

Joel Piroe looked to have settled the contest with a magnificent right-footed effort 10 minutes before the break, finding the top corner in emphatic fashion for his 11th goal of the season.

The Swans also saw Ethan Laird have two penalty appeals waved away, while Ben Hamer was largely unworked in goal until Anderson netted after a corner was only punched as far as the midfielder's feet.

Barnsley 0 Swansea City 2

Championship: Wednesday, November 24

Late goals from Olivier Ntcham and Jamie Paterson saw the Swans get their rewards for a thoroughly dominant display against Barnsley at Oakwell.

Frenchman Ntcham came off the bench to steer in fellow substitute Ryan Manning’s cross and give Russell Martin’s side the lead, before Paterson drove into the area to fire home left-footed and seal a third away win of the campaign.

It was no less than the visitors deserved having taken a stranglehold on the game from the off, ending the night with just shy 80 of per cent of possession and over 800 passes completed, the latter a season’s best.

Swansea City 2 Reading 3

Championship: Saturday, November 27

The Swans fell to just a second home defeat of the season after twice conceding within moments of scoring against Reading at the Swansea.com Stadium.

In an entertaining encounter, the Swans had led early through Jamie Paterson’s eighth goal of the season, but almost immediately saw Reading level through Tom Dele-Bashiru.

Andy Carroll then put the visitors ahead at the break with a goal that had more than a hint of offside about it.

Swansea hit back through a superb Ryan Manning volley, but gifted the visitors the spoils when an error seconds later ended with Danny Drinkwater slotting home a rebound.

Middlesbrough 1 Swansea City 0

Championship: Saturday, December 4

The Swans were left to rue missed chances and being denied a penalty as Isaiah Jones’ first-half strike gave Middlesbrough the spoils at the Riverside Stadium.

Jones raced clear after being left in too much space to score what proved to be the winner in the 26th minute.

But the visitors had more than enough opportunities to take something from the game, with Jamie Paterson, Matt Grimes and Joel Piroe going closest, with the latter denied by a goal-line clearance from Paddy McNair.

The Swans felt they should also have had a penalty after Boro keeper Luke Daniels appeared to bring down Paterson on the stroke of half-time, only for the referee to award a free-kick against the Swansea man.

Swansea City 1 Nottingham Forest 4

Championship: Saturday, December 11

The Swans fell to a third consecutive league defeat as in-form Nottingham Forest left SA1 with an away win in what would turn out to be the last game of 2021 for Russell Martin’s side.

Following a goalless opening half, two goals within three minutes in the second half had given the visitors a healthy lead, with Philip Zinckernagel and Lewis Grabban scoring the goals.

Joel Piroe gave the Swans a lifeline when he volleyed in his 12th goal of the season, but Brennan Johnson pounced on Ben Hamer’s parried save from Jordi Osei-Tutu’s effort to add a third, before sub Cafu compounded further misery on the Swans deep into stoppage time.