Freak own goal puts pay to Millers' chances......
Rotherham United’s hopes of a rare point on the road in the Sky Bet Championship were dashed by an unfortunate own goal from Andy Rinomhota as Swansea City ran out narrow victors in South Wales.
Luke Williams’ side commanded the lions’ share of possession and territory during the Swansea.com Stadium clash but Rotherham looked well on course for a share of the spoils until the Cardiff loanee put through his own net.
Millers Head Coach Leam Richardson kept faith with the starting line-up which took to the field at The Hawthorns in midweek, but lost out in controversial circumstances.
Academy youngster Ben Hatton was named on the bench after his short, but impressive cameo in the West Midlands.
The Swans made the early running when Josh Tymon and Josh Key combined smartly but Ronald’s cross was headed behind by Cameron Humphreys before Jamie Paterson sneaked around the back of the Millers rearguard but his centre was cut out.
The hosts had a good opportunity when Hakeem Odoffin made a rare error and Paterson presented Liam Cullen with the chance to strike but Viktor Johansson was his equal with a reactive save.
There was an added edge to the proceedings when Lee Peltier had an ongoing battle with Cullen before former Swansea player, Sam Clucas had Rotherham’s first shot in anger when Cafu’s cross was diverted into his path of Ben Cabango but he volleyed harmlessly wide from distance.
The home side – who looked comfortable in possession – had the next period of pressure when Roland’s clipped effort had Johansson backtracking nervously before the Swedish ‘keeper plucked the ball out of the South Wales sky while the Brazilian midfielder then had back-to-back crosses diverted behind.
There was a moment of concern for Rotherham when Clucas was felled in an innocuous incident involving Roland and Cabango – but the Millers midfielder was deemed fit enough to continue after lengthy treatment.
Peltier became the first to see yellow for a hefty challenge on Ollie Cooper on halfway before Humphreys soon joined him in the book for a trip on Roland just outside the box.
Just past the half-hour mark, Johansson was forced to parry Jay Fulton’s centre to safety before Fulton was the quickest to react to Paterson’s corner, but he could only scuff wide.
The Swans were gifted a chance when Humphreys dwelt in possession and Paterson nipped his pocket to advance towards the Rotherham goal. The home player decided to take on the shot but Johansson again stood up tall to deny him.
The Rotherham ‘keeper was a busy man near the break and Roland stung his palms with a fierce effort before he was called into action again to collect Paterson’s dangerous touchline cross.
Half-time- Swansea City 0 Rotherham United 0
There was a low key start to the second half until Roland had a shot blocked en-route to goal before Fulton unceremoniously bundled Johansson over the line following Paterson’s hanging cross, and a foul was given.
Minutes later, Harry Darling rose highest to meet Paterson’s cross but Johansson was well-stationed to snuff out the danger before Cooper was yellow-carded for a hefty challenge on birthday boy Odoffin.
In the Swans next attack, Darling strode forward with purpose before unleashing a low strike which took a wicked deflection off Peltier, but, thankfully for the Millers, the ball whistled harmlessly wide with Johansson wrong-footed.
Clucas – a constant target for the home fans – was unable to continue following a second injury stoppage and Richardson gave Arvin Appiah the chance to make a difference in the remaining half-an-hour.
The Millers had faint appeals for a spot kick when Nombe took a tumble in the box with Cabango in close attendance but no further action was taken.
Minutes later, Fulton was cautioned for hauling back Appiah before Rinomhota fired over from a promising position with his weaker left-foot.
The telling moment of the game came with 16 minutes to go – in a cruel twist of fate - for the Millers.
Sub Liam Walsh – who had just been introduced – delivered a near post corner and with no Swans attacker nearby, Rinomhota, in an attempt to clear the danger, nodded the ball towards his own goal, and Johansson was in no position to spare his blushes as the ball found the visitors net.
The Millers were visibly deflated by the goal and Richardson made a double change – in a last throw of the dice – with Charlie Wyke and Shane Ferguson entering the fray.
Wyke made an immediate impression from the bench when he was brought down by Matt Grimes and the Swans skipper was yellow-carded before Revan wasted a late opportunity when he blazed over following good work initially.
The Millers came within a whisker of a leveller - with almost the last kick of the game - when Appiah injected pace into a visitors move to deliver a tantalising cross which was met by the head of Eaves, but his header flashed narrowly wide of the target.
Full-time: Swansea City 1 Rotherham United 0
Swansea City 1
Rotherham United 0
Teams: Swansea- Rushworth, Key, Fulton (Walsh 73), Cabango, Darling, Grimes, Paterson, Tymon, Cullen, Cooper (Lowe 65), Ronald (Govea 73). Unused- Fisher, Yates, Patino, Kuharevich, B Humphreys, Abdulai.
Rotherham- Johansson, Rathbone, Peltier, Odoffin, Clucas (Appiah 62), Rinomhota, Cafu (Wyke 85), Revan, Bramall, C Humphreys (Ferguson 85), Nombe (Eaves 72). Unused- Phillips, Hatton, Seriki.
Referee- L Doughty
Attendance- 15327
