Championship Playoffs: Swansea’s quality guides them to the Final
Swansea City held off Barnsley to take their place at Wembley with a 1-1 draw enough at the Liberty Stadium.
The Welsh side came into the game with a good amount of confidence having taken a 1-0 lead at Oakwell. Last season they won the first leg at Brentford, yet would go on to lose the second leg 3-1. The Swans were determined not to let that happen this year.
Swansea struggled to deal with Barnsley’s high intensity
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Barnsley knew they had to put the pressure on, just like they had done in the first leg, but this time make it count and sure enough, the pressure came but they struggled to get any clear-cut chances in the first half.
Instead, Swansea once again showed the quality they have with midfielder Matt Grimes, who took down the ball just outside the box, showed his quick feet to send Tyke’s defender Callum Brittain into no man’s land and placed the ball into the far corner of the net.
Barnsley, after having this happen to them in the last game, did not allow it to hinder their pressure and continued to play high intensity, attacking football.
In the second half, the South Yorkshire side found a deserved equaliser as Jordan Williams started a counterattack before setting up top scorer Cauley Woodrow for a calm, low finish into the net.
The host camped in their own box for the rest of the game, and Barnsley could not find the goal to bring them level and their valiant season came to an end.
Swansea City boss Steve Cooper said he was ready to start preparing for the final:
"“As soon as I get home the laptop will be on and I’ll be looking at the opposition.” (via BBC Sport)"
Related Story. The Championship Playoffs: Ayew helps Swansea to a first leg advantage. light
Swansea will play Brentford in the Playoff Final at Wembley on the 29th May.