Jason Knight’s towering header 14 minutes from time gave Bristol City a deserved share of the points in an entertaining Championship draw with Swansea in rain-soaked south Wales.
Swansea had led from the 15th minute when the centre-back Ben Cabango claimed a rare goal from Eom Ji-sung’s corner. The deadlock was broken in contentious circumstances as the Bristol City goalkeeper, Max O’Leary, appeared to be pinned on his goalline by Ronald and unable to challenge Cabango as he stroked the ball home.
The Wales striker Liam Cullen was ruled out through illness, allowing the Slovenia striker Zan Vipotnik to make his third league start for Swansea. Yu Hirakawa made his first Bristol City start and the Japanese winger was prominent as the away side fashioned early openings. The goalkeeper Lawrence Vigouroux held Anis Mehmeti’s header under his crossbar and then produced a superb reflex stop from Scott Twine’s powerful volley.
Swansea stirred gradually and struck after George Tanner deflected Vipotnik’s effort behind. With the help of Ronald, Eom’s corner made it towards the far post and the unmarked Cabango scored his first goal since April last year.
Bristol City came within inches of an instant riposte as Sinclair Armstrong prodded against the woodwork before Swansea almost doubled their lead in bizarre circumstances. Ollie Cooper pressed to block Zak Vyner’s attempted clearance 40 yards out with O’Leary out of positionand the goalkeeper could only watch as the ball ran towards his unmanned goal before striking the outside of a post.
Cooper made his first Wales start in Montenegro this month and was playing with a confidence and freedom that posed the visitors numerous problems. Gonçalo Franco accepted a delightful Cooper pass to beat Luke McNally and smash a shot straight at O’Leary, who pushed the ball to safety. Vipotnik chested wide after Cooper switched from his station on the left to pop up on the right, and Swansea possibly counted themselves unlucky to lead by only one at the break.
The hosts, though, were fortunate to survive within three minutes of the restart as Mehmeti released Armstrong for a one-on opportunity that Vigouroux thwarted with his legs. Chances were not as common with both sides tightening up at the back, but there was no letup to the ferocious pace and the number of bodies being put on the line.
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Ronald sliced an effort wide but Bristol City continued to push for an equaliser and Knight rewarded their growing pressure with a thumping header from six yards. Vigouroux just about kept out a header from Mark Sykes header as the visitors sensed victory and, although Cabango went to ground for a late penalty shout, Swansea were grateful to collect a point by the end.
