SM
Man Utd vs. PAOK: 2 hrs 23 mins
Upcoming predictions and previews
Collect News Data
B
Championship | 1st Leg
May 17, 2021 at 8.15pm UK
Oakwell
SL

Barnsley
0 - 1
Swansea

 
FT(HT: 0-1)
Ayew (39')
Ayew (52')

Steve Cooper: 'It is only half time in the semi-final'

:Headline: Steve Cooper: 'It is only half time in the semi-final':
Andre Ayew's excellent curling finish six minutes before half-time proved decisive.
Sports Mole

Swansea boss Steve Cooper warned it was "only half-time" after his side took a slender 1-0 lead in their Sky Bet Championship play-off semi-final against Barnsley.

Andre Ayew's excellent curling finish six minutes before half-time proved decisive and was a rare moment of quality in a fast and furious first leg at Oakwell.

Fans returned to the stadium for the first time since March 2020 and a crowd of around 4,500 created a super-charged atmosphere.

"Andre came up with a bit of magic to give us a small margin, but it's only half-time," said Copper, whose side were beaten 4-1 on aggregate by Brentford in last season's play-off semi-finals.

"We've been here before 12 months ago and the final whistle in the next game is the most important one."

Swansea were indebted to goalkeeper Freddie Woodman – he kept his 23rd clean sheet of the season in all competitions – for their narrow advantage going into Saturday's return leg.

He produced a brilliant point-blank save to deny Callum Brittain on the rebound in the second half having kept out substitute Carlton Morris' shot.

Cooper said: "He did play well tonight. He did his job. I thought his positional play was good. But we've no time to think too much about it – it's time to look forward.

"It was a good effort from the boys. We knew the game would be a certain type and if we didn't match them, we could come unstuck.

"We did match them and we had bits of quality, the goal was the obvious one.

"We looked a threat. It was an emotional game and it was great to have supporters and I can't wait to get back to our place on Saturday."

Barnsley boss Valerien Ismael felt his players had been affected by the emotion of the occasion in the first half, but was upbeat about their chances on Saturday due to their display after the interval.

"The performance in the second half gives us a good feeling for the second leg. Everything can happen," the 45-year-old said.

"Two years ago Leeds won at Derby 1-0 and everyone thought Leeds would go through. (There is) big pressure on Swansea. We will fight like the second half (on Saturday)."

It was the first time Valerien, who was appointed head coach in October, had taken charge of a game for Barnsley in front of a crowd.

"It was an amazing atmosphere I have to say. It felt like 30,000," he said.

"I think that the first 20-25 minutes we felt the atmosphere in the players, we didn't play well in transition."

Ismael felt Ayew had been offside for his goal, adding: "You can't blame the centre-back, he did his job to step up quickly and then the linesman has to do his job.

"But we have comeback quality, we have a strong mindset, the mentality in the team is good. We need to score on Saturday, it's as simple as that."

body check tags ::

amp_article__447975 : Collect and Make Data not in DataBase  : 
last updated article - 2021-05-17 22:58:24:
html db last update - 2021-05-17 22:58:24 :

ex - 7200 : read : write cache and make html
Read more!

Click here for more stories about Steve Cooper

Click here for more stories about Barnsley

Share this article now:


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!
Recommended Next on SM
Monday's Championship playoff predictions including Bournemouth vs. Brentford
Have Palmer, Rice made the cut? Lee Carsley's final England squad revealed!
Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Wycombe WanderersWycombe1392231161529
2Birmingham CityBirmingham1292123111229
3Wrexham1374221101125
4Mansfield TownMansfield127322014624
5Lincoln CityLincoln137332016424
6Bolton WanderersBolton137242219323
7Huddersfield TownHuddersfield137151912722
8Barnsley136432118322
9Reading137152120122
10Stockport CountyStockport145632017321
11Exeter CityExeter126151310319
12Charlton AthleticCharlton135441514119
13Peterborough UnitedPeterborough145362526-118
14Rotherham UnitedRotherham144551416-217
15Stevenage145271015-517
16Blackpool134452125-416
17Bristol Rovers135171520-516
18Northampton TownNorthampton134361720-315
19Wigan AthleticWigan133551211114
20Leyton Orient133281118-711
21Crawley TownCrawley143291225-1311
22Cambridge UnitedCambridge123181117-610
23Shrewsbury TownShrewsbury1422101325-128
24Burton Albion130581325-125
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

history www

Have Palmer, Rice made the cut? Lee Carsley's final England squad revealed!

1

HP

Triple exit? Man United departures to 'pave way for new signings in summer'

2

TE

Preview: Birmingham vs. Northampton - prediction, team news, lineups

NEW

3

PB

Preview: Sunderland vs. Coventry - prediction, team news, lineups

NEW

4

PS

Preview: Brighton vs. Man City - prediction, team news, lineups

5

PB

Recalls for Rodrygo, Camavinga: Possible Real Madrid XI vs. Osasuna

6

RF

Preview: Real Madrid vs. Osasuna - prediction, team news, lineups

7

PR

Thursday's Europa League predictions including Man Utd vs. PAOK

8

TE

Preview: Brentford vs. Bournemouth - prediction, team news, lineups

9

PB

Cubarsi concern: Barcelona injury, suspension news vs. Real Sociedad

10

CC


. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .