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An own goal helped Swansea City to all three points from their Premier League Cup game against Southampton at Staplewood Campus on Monday night.
The deflected goal separated the two teams at the break, as Saints defender Alfie Jones tried to block Adam Kingâs low shot, but instead diverted it into the back of the net to give the visitors a 21st minute lead.
Saints, who led the group going into the game, couldnât find a way back into the contest, with Tyreke Johnson twice going close for the hosts, while Callum Slattery also had an effort saved by Swansea goalkeeper Lewis Thomas, to ensure the visitors went above Saints in the table.
Southampton got the game under way through Marcus Barnes and Olufela Olomola, with the latter playing in a more withdrawn role behind the frontman for the evening.
Goalkeeper Mouez Hassen made his second appearance for Saints following a clean sheet on his debut for the U23s last time out against Leicester.
The hosts started brightly with left back Will Wood taking aim with a shot from the edge of the area which flew narrowly over the crossbar in the third minute.
Wood then showed the other side to his game with a strong challenge to deny Swanseaâs Jordan Garrick inside the Saints area to thwart the visitorsâ first attack of the game.
The deadlock was broken by Swansea on 21 minutes though, in what appeared slightly fortuitous circumstances. Midfielder Adam King seized on a loose ball before hitting a low shot which bobbled its way through the area via Saints skipper Alfie Jones into the bottom right corner, for a goal which came against the run of play.
Callum Slattery looked for an immediate response, but his drive flew over the crossbar, with the hosts looking rattled by their setback in the game. Slattery was also booked for a tackle just inside the Saints half.
Swansea turned up the pressure past the half hour mark with a free-kick which landed on the roof of the net, and they were almost made to pay for missing that opportunity to extend their lead when Saints put their best move of the half together three minutes before the break.
Full back Yan Valery brought the ball forward and found Olomola, who in turn laid it into the path of Tyreke Johnson on the edge of the area, and his low shot was well saved by Lewis Thomas down to his right, as the visitorsâ lead remained intact going into half time.
Striker Ryan Seager replaced Barnes for the second half, and the substitute striker went close on 55 minutes when he pounced on Johnsonâs low cross into the area, but he couldnât keep his shot down from around eight yards out.
An excellent run and cross from Sims found Johnson inside the area a few minutes later, and the frontman who threw himself at the ball, saw his effort clip the crossbar on its way out of play.
In the 63rd minute, Swansea defender Tyler Reidâs well-timed lock denied Seager from connecting to Valeryâs dangerous low cross.
Slattery drew a smart save from Thomas as Saints looked the more likely side to score, and they looked to push on again when Siph Mdlalose replaced Johnson for the final quarter of an hour or so.
Ollie Cookâs tug on Oliver McBurnie gave Swansea a chance to seal their win with a free-kick on the edge of the area, but Stephen Kingsleyâs free-kick struck the wall on its way out of play. It mattered not, as the final whistle confirmed the visitorsâ win soon after.
Saints will have another chance to get some points on the board in the group later in the week when they travel to Bristol City on Thursday.
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