Derby County’s survival hopes suffered yet another blow as Swansea produced one of the narrow football results of the weekend in the Championship. Joel Piroe opened the scoring in the eighth minute before he doubled their advantage in the 16th minute. It was his 19th and 20th goals of the season. Tom Lawrence grabbed a goal back in the 22nd minute but they could not find an equalizer.
Managers Reaction
Swansea’s Russell Martin: “We’re absolutely delighted. It can’t be understated what it’s taken this week for the players, physically and emotionally. To ask them to go again with the same intensity and energy after two away games and the importance of last weekend’s derby was tough. We started the game brilliantly well and then a bit of tiredness crept in. There was some brilliant football at times, there was some tired and sloppy football at other times. But I can’t give them enough credit for what they’ve done this week. They deserve it for the amount of pain they’ve been through already this season and how together they’ve stayed. So I’m incredibly proud of them. It’s been a long time coming for that third win in a week.”
Derby’s Wayne Rooney: “I think everyone in the stadium agrees (it was a penalty), the Swansea manager, fans, players, Derby players, and fans know it was a clear penalty apart from the four officials. I’ve said it time and again. I understand it’s difficult to give a decision when it’s a tight call but that was a clear and obvious foul and penalty. It leaves a lot of questions that I have to ask the officials. I hope the referee gets banned and fined because that is not good enough. We’ve got a good young group of players who are working hard to try and help this club.”
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