By Graham Thomas
Luke Williams insists Swansea City have recovered their pride after their derby day disaster, even though another defeat has left them as close to the relegation places as they are to the play-offs.
The Swans lost 2-1 at home to Sheffield United, who moved back to the top of the Championship, but gave a display in marked contrast to their weak showing at Cardiff City last weekend.
But they also gave away a soft equaliser after half-time and then had Harry Darling sent off for a reckless challenge near the halfway line.
Sheffield United fought back from Florian Bianchini’s seventh-minute goal to leapfrog Leeds United and take a two-point lead at the league summit.
They were helped by Darling’s straight 50th-minute red card for a kick on Rhian Brewster, just moments after the former Swansea loan player had equalised against his former club.
“I felt like in the first half we were definitely the better team,” said Swansea head coach Williams, who suggested the club will appeal the red card shown to Darling.
“Leeds are the only team comparable to this level of opposition in the Championship so I was really pleased with the response [after Cardiff], but ultimately it’s really disappointing to not come away with any points.
“We created good chances. I think we had a good penalty appeal. I think [Myles Peart-Harris] is honest and he is punished for being honest.
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“We could probably extend our lead in the first half. They started really brightly in the second half.
“I think with everybody on the pitch we have a great chance to get a point at least. Having one less player for 40 minutes against Sheffield United is tough. Personally I don’t think it’s a red card.”
It was a strange performance by Williams’ side who showed far more aggression and determination than they managed in their limp derby day defeat to Cardiff.
They deservedly went ahead through Bianchini’s header early on, but missed a number of good chances to improve that lead.
They then let Brewster level after the break, having twice given the ball away cheaply in the same defensive sequence, before Darling made a lunge near halfway that was as pointless as it was careless.
Down to 10 men for the last 40 minutes, Swansea rallied and were the dominant team for long periods, but their final ball was poor, particularly their crossing after getting into promising positions.
But Darling saw red three minutes after Brewster’s volley before the winner came midway through the second half.
Josh Key, moved inside to centre-back in Darling’s absence, lost the flight of a long ball and bundled over Tyrese Campbell.
Harrison Burrows stepped up to score his second penalty in as many games and condemn Swansea to a fourth defeat in five games.
It means the Swans have dropped two places to 15th and have now lost four of their last five games in all competitions.
It leaves them eight points adrift of the play-offs and eight above the drop zone, meaning a couple more defeats could now leave them facing a battle not to be dragged into a relegation struggle.
That would mean more anxiety for Williams, who has so far been frustrated in his attempts to strengthen his squad in this transfer window.
A further blow would be the suspension of Darling for the next three matches, which may have prompted Williams to claim his club would appeal, even though replays suggested that would be unlikely to prove successful.
“I think we appeal for sure. But I have seen clear mistakes not be rescinded so I don’t hold out much hope for that.
“I think the best thing to do is to watch it again several times and get the best angles, but it seems strange.
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“It’s not deliberate, it doesn’t seem to be reckless with both feet off the ground so there’s no way of anchoring yourself or slowing yourself down.
“[He is] trying to play the ball and the ball is shifted in the last minute. It’s maybe a yellow card I think.
“I just expected play on or the whistle to go for a free-kick, but I certainly didn’t expect a straight red card.”
Blades manager Chris Wilder said: “We were miles off it first half. They were by far the better team in every department.
“We were just delighted we weren’t out of sight and we needed more energy, but the early (second-half) goal gave us some drive and energy and from then it was game on.
“I don’t think he (Darling) went to do him and smash him, for me it was a reckless and mistimed challenge. Rhian’s OK, but I think it’s a sending-off.”