By Paul Jones
Steve Cooper was as good as his word – dedicating a Swansea City derby day victory to absent supporters he had promised to make the central actors even though they are far from the stage.
The Swans head coach insisted all his players and staff stay on the field for their post-match celebrations and rallying cries following their 2-0 victory at the Cardiff City Stadium.
There may be some who felt Cooper was simply rubbing salt into local wounds, but the man himself was unequivocal before the game that fans were at the forefront of his thinking after nine months away from live action.
Now, he wants his team to continue to carry the fight all the way in their search for promotion, knowing they have the backing of an armchair army of Jack fans.
After Jamal Lowe’s two goals ensured it is now five games and seven years since Cardiff last won this fixture, Cooper said: “We focused on two things: how important the game is because it’s a massive deal down here and playing the game.
“We weren’t far off our best and we picked a good day to be like that. The performance was right up there because there was so much importance on the game. We played with such clear heads and a clear style, which is where we want to be.
“The result is the most important thing, but to think we’ve done it in the way we’ve done it is what I want us to be.
“That’s why I wanted to get everybody together on the pitch at the end of the game, to show the togetherness in the group while knowing it’s for the supporters as well.”
Former Portsmouth forward Lowe has come in for criticism since his £800,000 summer move from Wigan.
Lowe had only scored twice before his derby double and had gone 10 games without scoring prior to putting Cardiff to the sword.
Cooper said: “He’s been brilliant, we don’t have any doubts with Jamal.
“Someone asked questions about him the other week, but he’s been a great addition to the team.
“All he wants to do is work hard. He’s made us a better team this year and he’s done it here by scoring a couple of goals.”
Cardiff had come into the game on a high with four consecutive wins propelling them into the top half of the Championship.
The Bluebirds were maybe unfortunate that Ryan Bennett, who had been booked for a cynical challenge on Mark Harris, did not see red after 20 minutes for fouling Kieffer Moore.
But Moore stayed on his feet and referee Jon Brooks took no action against the Swansea defender.
“I bumped into the ref and he just explained the rule to me,” Cardiff manager Neil Harris said.
“He played advantage so he couldn’t give a yellow card. Which I didn’t really understand.
“But we weren’t good enough, we didn’t cause enough problems for Swansea.
“My record as a player and manager in derbies is extremely good and I hate this feeling. I am gutted for the fan base that need some cheer at the minute and we’ve not given it to them.
“So a huge apology to our Bluebirds at the moment.”
Harris knew the truth that Cardiff caused Swansea few problems in defence and grew ragged after they had midfielder Joe Ralls sent off midway through the second period with the score at 1-0.
Lowe, who joined Swansea in the summer from Wigan, had hardly been prolific this season with just two goals in his previous 18 appearances, but such was his side’s total control he may feel disappointed he was unable to secure a hat-trick in the late stages.
Lowe scored in the sixth minute when he turned the ball home from close range and then struck a sublime second after beating two defenders in a silky run towards the penalty area.
WOW! 🔥
It’s a stunning solo goal from Jamal Lowe to double Swansea City’s lead at the Cardiff City Stadium! ⚪⚫
Watch live on Sky Sports Football now! pic.twitter.com/p1J67bdykr
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) December 12, 2020
The goals bookended a control of possession and secured Swansea’s fourth derby win in the last seven meetings and for Cooper, his overseeing has now produced two wins and a draw with no goals conceded.
Swansea’s first goal was more direct than is normally their custom, a fact which will doubtless only increase Cardiff’s frustrations.
Jake Bidwell’s deep cross should have been routine for the home defence, but Joe Bennett inexplicably failed to challenge the athletic Connor Roberts to the header and when the ball reached the goalmouth there was more hesitancy which enabled Lowe to steer the ball home from close range.
Even his success owed something to Cardiff as goalkeeper Alex Smithies allowed a poorly struck finish to somehow go straight between his legs.
A Swans fan and Cardiff fan were discussing past local derbies …
The Swans fan said … “Everytime Swansea beat Cardiff … my dog barks out the score”…
The Cardiff fan asked … “What does he do when Cardiff win?” …
— Robert (@Robert40708370) December 13, 2020
With Ralls off for clattering into Korey Smith, Lowe picked up a loose ball, ran hard at Cardiff’s stretched defence, and clipped his shot with the outside of the boot into the far corner.
Harris admitted: “Swansea were better than us. It pains me to say that live to our fanbase and we’re disappointed to be on the end of a derby defeat but Swansea were better than us in both penalty areas.
“A decision possibly went against us but that’s not the reason we lost the game. We weren’t good enough.”
3 thoughts on “Steve Cooper Insists Swansea City Are Not Far From Their Best . . . As Cardiff City’s Neil Harris Pleads: I’m So Sorry”