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Wales Online
Wales Online
Sport
Ian Mitchelmore

Swansea City player ratings as front duo and Fulton immense but Birmingham City strike late on

ANDY FISHER 6

On his first league start since August, Fisher was a mere spectator for most of the game, although he was adjudged to have brought down Reda Khadra in his own box. So unlucky not to keep out Scott Hogan's penalty. Excellent in possession until the final stages and rapidly cut a nervous figure as Birmingham pushed.

JOEL LATIBEAUDIERE 7

Brilliant on the ball for most of the game and looked more than comfortable when going forward. Limped off late on, and his absence was felt as the Swans collapsed.

BEN CABANGO 7

Poor header back to Fisher that led to Birmingham's opener, but the centre-back was otherwise impressive. Got up the pitch to keep the Blues under pressure while his passing range was spot on.

READ MORE: Swansea City chiefs conduct shock interview and publicly apologise after shambolic transfer window

NATHAN WOOD 7

Showed brilliant composure when under pressure and made his share of defensive interventions to keep Birmingham away from the Swansea goal. Really top shift.

RYAN MANNING 7

The Irishman made a number of timely tackles to help keep Swansea on top. Always able to join attacks, such was his side's dominance of the ball and carried a real threat from the left in another fine display.

MATT GRIMES 7

Should have had an assist for Liam Cullen early on but caused Birmingham's defence stacks of problems with his passing ability.

JAY FULTON 8

The Scot was quite simply brilliant. A wonderful through ball in the build-up to Swansea's second goal. Put in plenty of meaty challenges and deserved to be on the winning side.

OLIVIER NTCHAM 7

So calm on the ball and always offered himself for the ball. Fine pass to Joel Piroe in the opening stages and threw his body on the line to reach Joel Latibeaudiere's cross that he ultimately headed wide. Quieter second-half and was duly replaced.

OLLIE COOPER 7

Put the Duracell bunny to shame with his energy and willingness to press. Tackled for fun once again.

JOEL PIROE - Star Man 8

Denied by John Ruddy early on but did brilliantly to drill home his 11th goal of the season to level proceedings. Then put the ball on a plate for Liam Cullen to tap home. Alert to Ruddy's woeful clearance to slot home his second of the afternoon. Withdrawn late on.

LIAM CULLEN 8

As with Piroe, Cullen spurned a one-on-one chance in the opening stages but was in the right place to tap home to put Swansea 2-1 up. Work-rate was off the charts, as typified by a sprint back just before half-time. Subbed to a standing ovation.

Subs

Luke Cundle (for Ntcham) - Didn't get the ball in dangerous areas and had to do a huge amount of running as the Swans lost Latibeaudiere. 6

Morgan Whittaker (for Cullen) - Operating up front, the 22-year-old saw little of the ball as Swansea looked to protect their lead. Pressed well in fairness to him. 6

Harry Darling (for Piroe) - Came on to help deal with the aerial threat of Lukas Jutkiewicz but the Swans conceded from two headers late on. 6

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