Welsh Derby

Just A Perfect Day . . . For Joel Piroe And Swansea City Who Vow To Go Higher

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By Paul Jones

Joel Piroe has described Swansea City’s victory over rivals Cardiff City as the perfect derby.

The Swans won 3-2 in the capital – beating their rivals four a fourth successive time – but not before a rollercoaster ride of building a two-goal lead, losing it, and then grabbing a late winner in injury time.

Piroe believes the triumph exemplifies the ethos of head coach Russell Martin’s squad.

The Dutch striker initiated the scoring three minutes into the game before Liam Cullen added a second 30 minutes later.

However, goals from Jaden Philogene and Sory Kaba brought the scores level with just seven minutes remaining.

But the game took a final turn as Ben Cabango reacted quickly in the penalty area after Jay Fulton’s attempt had hit the post.

It was another instance of the Swans finding a way to win late in the game and Piroe thinks that the scenes of jubilation from players, staff, and supporters embody what the derby means to those in the white corner.

“I think this is what it means to win a derby. It’s passion, it’s fight,” he said.

“I really loved the atmosphere. Our fans were great and it was a great win.

“We go up by two, then they come back and then the late winner. I think that’s the perfect derby.

“Of course [it’s one of the best feelings I’ve had in football]. When we did it last year, it felt amazing. But this year, I think that result sums us up as well.

“We’ve been in a difficult period, so to win like this just shows how much we believe in ourselves.

“We want to keep winning until the end of the season, we’ll see how we end up.”

It means the Swans have done the home and away league double in consecutive seasons, and also secured a third-consecutive victory at Cardiff for the first time.

Head coach Russell Martin has now faced four different managers in the four derby games across two seasons – Mick McCarthy, Steve Morison, Mark Hudson and Sabri Lamouchi – and beaten them all.

His team may have drifted away from play-off contention, but back-to-back victories over Bristol City and the Bluebirds have revived their season.

“To go from no-one doing a league double, to winning four in a row is incredible,” said Martin.

“I am so pleased and proud of the players, they have written themselves into the history books.

“But it’s more about the feeling we can give to people who care about this club and the emotion we can share.

“In every single one of these games we have won, we have won it playing our way. That is the best bit.

“I said that to the players before the game. I told them we were going to win, and we were going to do it playing our way and that would be the best feeling.

“We didn’t come and dog it out, and fight. We didn’t do that when we beat Bristol City after a tough run.

“I am proud of what we are trying to build here, and that makes days like Bristol City and this all the more special.”

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