Swansea City vs Rotherham United. Sky Bet Championship.
Swansea.com StadiumAttendance15,327.
Report and free match highlights from the Sky Bet Championship match between Swansea City and Rotherham United at the Swansea.com Stadium on Saturday | Andy Rinomhota own goal steers Swans to narrow win.
Saturday 13 April 2024 19:13, UK
Swansea City all-but secured their Sky Bet Championship status as Andy Rinomhota's own-goal earned them a 1-0 win over relegated Rotherham.
Luke Williams' side dominated throughout and saw Liam Cullen, Jamie Paterson and Ronald all have chances to bulge the net.
But midfielder Rinomhota turned into his own net from a corner in the 74th minute to hand Swansea all three points.
Victory leaves Swansea eight points clear of the relegation zone with three matches left to play, while Rotherham remain bottom and without an away league triumph this season.
Buoyed by their emphatic 3-0 win over Stoke three days earlier, the Swans were on the front foot from the outset in south Wales.
The first chance fell to the hosts as Paterson pounced on Sebastian Revan's heavy touch before threading through to Cullen, whose low driven effort was kept out by Viktor Johansson.
It set the tone for what was to come as Leam Richardson's side desperately struggled to get hold of possession.
Rotherham's only effort of note saw former Swan Sam Clucas - who was regularly jeered by the home supporters - scuff a volley wide on 19 minutes.
The Millers looked every bit a side without an away league win in 34 matches, but, despite dominating possession, Swansea struggled to test Johansson after Cullen's early effort.
While their control was evident, Jay Fulton's unorthodox header from a short free-kick routine typified Swansea's lack of cutting edge in the final third.
But they appeared destined to go ahead three minutes before half-time when Paterson robbed Cameron Humphreys of the ball just inside Rotherham's half before charging down on goal, although his tame effort was comfortably saved by Johansson.
Brazilian winger Ronald then stung the palms of Johansson with a thumping strike from the edge of the box as the contest remained level at the break.
There was precious little for either side to shout about after the restart as the pattern of the contest remained the same.
Shortly after Harry Darling's driven strike was blocked, Ronald's half-volley was comfortably gathered by Johansson.
Josh Tymon then picked out Cullen whose header looped wide as Williams sent on Jamal Lowe with 25 minutes left on the clock.
Rinomhota blazed well over from distance following a rare foray forwards from the visitors, who sent on Tom Eaves while Liam Walsh and Aimar Govea entered the fray for Swansea.
But the decisive moment came in the 74th minute as substitute Walsh's corner was headed into his own net by Rinomhota.
Rotherham's best chance came with the final play of the game as Arvin Appiah crossed to Eaves, whose header flashed wide at the death.
It ensured hosts claimed back-to-back wins for the second time under Williams, with Rotherham losing for the third game running after failing to register a single shot on target at the Swansea.com Stadium.
Swansea's Luke Williams:
"The players have got to show that they'll continue to run hard and fight for everything and not try and take it easy.
"I need to see the character that they have. Whatever the circumstances, whatever the position, they'll apply themselves, that's a group I want.
"It's when things get more complicated then you need to know you've got the right characters. I want to see that from everybody in the last three games, as a minimum.
"That's (top-half aim) a good challenge. Let's go and make really good performances, and see how many points we can pick up."
Rotherham's Leam Richardson:
"It's a cruel game at times. The goal conceded, obviously it's cruel because Andy's been very good and he's been committed.
"Coming from Wednesday night away at West Brom and then back on the coach again, travelling down to Swansea with a small number of players, it's commendable.
"The lads who have made themselves available and put the work ethic in today. Credit to Swansea on the victory.
"We know where we are. We know which moment we are in and we know how we want to go forward with it. We want to put our best foot forward to return to this level and be a better version of ourselves."
