By Gareth James
Luke Williams has admitted Swansea City were fortunate to cling on for a point as their winning streak stalled at home to Bristol City.
The Swans were held to a 1-1 draw as they missed the chance to nudge close to the play-off positions following two previous back-to-back victories in the Championship.
Williams’ men lay in ninth spot after they took the lead against the Robins, only to concede with 14 minutes remaining after a below par second-half.
“I’ve got a very clear idea about what shifted the momentum, and it’s moments,” said Williams.
“It’s key moments where we made the wrong choice and, in this way, we’re not such a good team. We suffered and, in the end, we’re only just about value for a point.
“The first half we looked a pretty good side and made the breakthrough, which is important, but in the second half we were by far the worst team on the pitch.
“I think when you’re 1-0 down it’s easier to throw caution to the wind and Bristol City did that really well. We missed the moments to smooth the game out, to regain control and take control, so we suffered.
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Bristol City boss Liam Manning called for VAR to be introduced in the Championship after his side’s controversial conceding of the opening goal.
Ben Cabango prodded the Swans ahead from a 15th-minute corner after Ronald had appeared to impede Robins goalkeeper Max O’Leary.
Jason Knight headed home 14 minutes from time to give Bristol City a deserved point, but Manning insisted Swansea’s goal should not have stood.
Manning said: “It’s quite clear for me, when you see it back. I’ve seen it from numerous angles, Max is trying to get free but it’s hard when somebody has hold of you.
“I want contact but when it’s that obvious. Block within the laws of the game, but that’s a clear foul.
“It’s getting to the stage where VAR will probably help it. There’s cons to it, but also a huge amount of pros.
“When you look at key decisions dictating outcomes of games, it’s a huge part of it.”
Bristol City capitalise on a good spell of pressure and level with 15 minutes remaining.
Jason Knight with a bullet header following a corner to set up a tense finale.
Swansea have had more of the ball but didn't do enough to lock the game down, end to end stuff.
— Matthew Burgess (@1matthewburgess) September 29, 2024
Manning admitted to huge frustration as he had said holding at set-pieces was focused on by English Football League officials before a Championship ball was kicked.
He said: “We had a pre-season meeting with the referees and the EFL and they said they were going to clamp down on blocking and grabbing people.
“You’re told it’s going to happen and then it’s not, so it’s frustrating.
“I haven’t spoken to the referee (Andrew Kitchen). No point. It’s not going to change or do anything.
“We’ll send in our report and I can guess what the response will be.
“If you do it, do it, but don’t say in pre-season meetings you’re going to go after it and then don’t. That’s my point.”
On the contest, which saw Bristol City finish strongly, Manning added: “First half we probably conceded too much territory.
“We were a little bit too passive. But we put in a really strong performance second half.”
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Swansea boss Williams had a different view to Manning on the game’s big talking point, saying: “If you go down that road then there will be very few goals scored from set-pieces because people are impeded at every one.
“I haven’t seen the video, but if the complaint is about someone being impeded – please.”
Knight’s towering header gave the Robins a share of the points that their second-half performance warranted.
Swansea had led from the 15th minute when centre-back Cabango claimed a rare goal from Eom Ji-sung’s corner.
Ronald later sliced wide but Bristol City continued to push for an equaliser and Knight rewarded their growing pressure with a thumping header from six yards.
Swans goalkeeper Lawrence Vigouroux just about kept out Mark Sykes’ header as the Robins sensed victory and, although Cabango went to ground for a late penalty shout, Swansea were grateful to collect one point by the end.
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