MATCH REPORT: CITY 2, SWANSEA 2

Usually the last regular home game of the season has something of a carnival atmosphere. Bright sunshine, everyone out in short sleeves and, usually, little to play for.

Contrast that to a chilly Carrow Road and the promise of all but wrapping up a play-off place for City. Only the Player of the Season award to remind the packed crowd that this could be their last chance to see some of these players.

There was one change from the previous weeks. Ashley Barnes was dropped with Christian Fassnacht coming in on the right and Gabriel Sara moving infield to support Josh Sargent. No one could figure out whether it was a tactical move, or forced by an injury niggle, but it was a switch that took City a little time to bed into.

Swansea kicked off and made a confident start. Much like City, Swansea adopted a three across-the-back system in possession and City were happy to concede them early ground, standing off until they approached the halfway line.

As ever, City looked to hit Swansea on the break. Marcelino Nunez hit a lovely cross-field ball towards Jack Stacey, who cushioned a header to Fassnacht. Perhaps a little rusty, the Swiss international delivered a poor ball into the area, not helped by Sara slipping, but the ball came to Borja Sainz who rushed his side-footed shot straight at the keeper when he had time to look up and pick his spot.

Swansea showed that they were dangerous on the break. Ronald played a backheel inside to Key. His ball across forced Angus Gunn put to smother from Cullen. Then a ball in from the left was just inches over Cullen’s head. Signs that City were not going to get things all their own way.

Gradually though, City began to impose themselves on the game. Sam McCallum and Sargent exchanged passes but the fullback’s shot was weak; Sainz burst forward, only to put the ball behind the advancing Sara.

On the quarter hour, Sara twisted and turned to beat two players on the left and put a dangerous ball towards Fassnacht and Sargent, only for Tymon to beat them both and concede a corner.

City’s corner tally was already at six by the 18th minute, when Paterson broke on the left. Shane Duffy blocked the shot giving the visitors their first set piece, which was cleared without drama.

City pushed on, McCallum played what looked like a great ball to Sainz, but it just eluded the Spaniard and was cleared.

Then as City moved out from the back, Kenny McLean conceded possession. Three quick passes later Paterson had the ball in the area. Duffy looked to be showing him inside when he unleashed a powerful rising shot, giving Gunn little time to react as it arrowed into the top corner. Carrow Road was stunned into silence.

In previous times, even earlier this season, that would have been game over but City have found a new resilience and purpose over the last 19 or 20 games. They came back strongly.

Fassnacht won a corner, and Duffy volleyed over.

McLean won a header in the midfield. Nunez swerved through three players before laying the ball to Sargent. His shot was somehow saved by Rushworth with his foot.

From the corner, this time Ben Gibson met it at the near post. Another corner.

Just after the half-hour, City broke down the right through Stacey. However, as was the pattern all afternoon, all his energy and endeavour were wasted as he delivered an aimless ball into the box.

Moments later, after an exchange of headers on the right, Sara burst goalwards and unleashed an absolutely thunderous left-foot shot that gave Rushworth no chance, to bring the scores level.

Swansea came back strongly, forcing an immediate save from Gunn. They then won a free kick near the centre circle, which was cleared. Paterson then got the better of Stacey, but his cross was cleared.

As the half seemingly drew to a close, McLean was cynically brought down as he broke out of defence, earning a yellow card for Paterson. Shortly after, six minutes of added time were signalled.

Halfway through the added minutes, Gibson stroked a superb diagonal across the pitch to Stacey. He cushioned the ball to Sara who produced a perfect curling cross to the far post and the waiting Sargent, who placed his header perfectly across goal to give City the lead.

No changes were made at halftime, but City emerged keen of purpose and were clearly looking to wrap the game up. They pressed high and aggressively and pushed the visitors back.

A Sara backheel wouldn’t quite sit down for Sainz to shoot. Then a great ball to Fassnacht was played to Sargent whose shot was blocked. Finally, another back heel from Sara on the left allowed Sainz to cross, only for Fassnacht to head wide.

After a frantic five minutes dominated by City, Swansea finally got their foot on the ball and a minute later were level with another quick move. City blocked the initial shot but as Ronald ran towards the loose ball, Gunn rushed out. He made contact with the Brazilian’s foot, who ensured the referee awarded the penalty with a sprawling dive. Few arguments from the City players though.

Grimes hit the spot kick down the middle and the scores were level.

City were not done. They pushed back at Swansea winning another succession of corners. Then Swansea hit back, Ronald putting a dangerous ball across the goal that Gunn had to save.

Then it was City’s turn again, with Jonny Rowe stripped and ready to come on, Duffy had a header cleared off the line.

City were playing well. It felt like the added impetus of bringing on Rowe could really push them to the next level. Most expected a straight swap for Fassnacht but instead, Wagner took off Sainz and Fassnacht. Rowe went onto the left, Sara switched to the right and Ashley Barnes joined Sargent up front.

Much like last week against Bristol, the changes unsettled City and they looked less sure of themselves both going forward and when they lost possession. The loss of purpose was exacerbated 15 minutes later when Barnes pulled up. Wagner replaced him with Jacob Sorensen, and it was the turn of Nunez to accompany Josh Sargent.

Quite what was going through the mind of the watching Sydney Van Hoijdonk we can only imagine.

The second half became scrappy and patternless and City struggled to impose themselves in the way that they had been doing so adeptly earlier in the game. Indeed it was Swansea who were looking the better side and more likely to nick something. It took a sprawling save at full length from Gunn to deny Lowe a goal on 87 minutes, then a looping, deflected Ronald shot went just over the bar.

City finished with a mild flourish as they tried to force a result, with Swansea seemingly content to take the point. Five minutes were added. Van Hooijdonk was given one minute to make an impact as City struggled in vain for the winner.

So full confession time. I usually write my reports immediately after the final whistle. This week I didn’t. I waited until a certain other game was over, the context being everything.

On the final day, if City lose to Birmingham, West Brom must draw or better and Hull must win with a seven-goal swing towards them to deny City a place in the play-offs. Job done then?

In that period between the first Swansea goal, and the 50th minute, when all looked rosy for City, I though to myself that there would be no one in that top six who would relish playing City in that form. And yet they subsequently conspired to waste a superb opportunity to put the season beyond mathematical doubt.

I felt the substitutions last week against Bristol altered too much of the structure on the pitch. I felt the same again yesterday. Easy with hindsight, I know, but worrying that finally with a strong bench to choose from, Wagner seems to make the side weaker with his changes.

So baited breath until next week. We are City fans after all, and those of us with long memories have had our fair share of mathematically improbable last days somehow coming to fruition against us.