MX23RW : Friday, November 15 03:25:51| >> :600:504437:504437:

Match Analysis: Swansea City 0-1 Southampton

Sports Mole takes a look at the main talking points in Southampton's 1-0 win over Swansea City at the Liberty Stadium.

Southampton recorded their third straight victory with a 1-0 win away at Southampton this afternoon.

Swansea were the better side in the first half, but when Wilfried Bony was shown a red card after 40 minutes, Southampton became the dominant team.

Victor Wanyama arrived as a second-half substitute to score his first goal for the club 10 minutes from time to hand Ronald Koeman's side all three points.

Here, Sports Mole takes a look at the 90 minutes and discusses the main talking points from the game.

Match statistics

Swansea City
Shots: 4
On target: 2
Possession: 44%
Corners: 2
Fouls: 11

Southampton
Shots: 9
On target: 4
Possession: 56%
Corners: 4
Fouls: 15

Was the result fair?

If it wasn't for the red card, Swansea would have probably won. They were by far the better side in the first half, but the statistics tell the true story of the whole game. Southampton had almost all of the ball after the break and considering all their pressure, the winner was well deserved.

Swansea City's performance

If there was ever a 'game of two halves', this was it. Swansea were marvellous for 40 minutes. They attacked at pace, played brilliant, one-touch football, but just struggled to create many clear-cut chances. After the break, they hardly had a touch of the ball as they sat back and tried to hold on for a draw. They defended stoutly, but it became a little too much in the end. Bony aside, all the Swansea players can hold their heads high for their efforts today.

Southampton's performance

Koeman's side struggled in the first half, but the red card changed everything. In truth, for all their possession in the second period, they resorted to crosses towards Graziano Pelle on the whole. They eventually got the winner, but they should have created more against 10 men.

Sports Mole's man of the match

Ashley Williams: The Swansea captain continually intercepted Southampton passes in the first half, but his job was entirely different in the second. He made a few clearances and tackles, but it was his leadership qualities that really impressed as he cajoled his teammates throughout the game. He certainly didn't deserve to be on the losing side.

Biggest gaffe

Bony's behaviour just cannot be excused. Yes, he was frustrated that he hasn't opened his account this term yet. And yes, he must have been annoyed that the ball got away from him on many occasions. But both challenges were so reckless, and his scissor tackle from behind on Maya Yoshida warranted a straight red card, let alone a second yellow. His two moments of stupidity cost Swansea the game today.

Referee performance

Jon Moss handled the game very well. He dished out many yellow cards in the first half and it looked in danger of escalating into a bloodbath as tackles flew in from either side. He had no option but to send Bony off and didn't get fazed by an incredibly irate home crowd.

What next?

Swansea City: After winning their first three games of the season, Swansea are in danger of losing three on the trot as they travel to Sunderland next Saturday.

Southampton: Depending on Chelsea's result tomorrow, Southampton could go to the top of the Premier League next week when they host QPR at St. Mary's Stadium.

ID:177945: cacheID:177945:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:5449:No Data Analysis info
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Southampton player Victor Wanyama celebrates with team mates after scoring the first goal during the Barclays Premier League match between Swansea City and Southampton at Liberty Stadium on September 20, 2014
Read Next:
Player Ratings: Swansea City 0-1 Southampton
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Sunderland1594225111431
2Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd1510321971231
3Leeds UnitedLeeds158522491529
4Burnley157621861227
5West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom15672169725
6Watford158162322125
7Middlesbrough157352317624
8Millwall156541813523
9Blackburn RoversBlackburn156451917222
10Bristol City155732019122
11Swansea CitySwansea155461110119
12Derby CountyDerby155461919019
13Stoke CityStoke155461819-119
14Norwich CityNorwich154652322118
15Sheffield WednesdaySheff Weds155371725-818
16Oxford UnitedOxford Utd154561718-117
17Coventry CityCoventry154472021-116
18Plymouth ArgylePlymouth154471526-1116
19Hull City153661620-415
20Preston North EndPreston153661523-815
21Luton TownLuton154381726-915
22Cardiff CityCardiff154381423-915
23Portsmouth152671628-1212
24Queens Park RangersQPR151771225-1310


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!