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Swansea 1-0 Preston: Ryan Manning fires Swans to victory

Report and free match highlights from the Sky Bet Championship clash between Swansea and Preston at the Swansea.com Stadium as Ryan Manning struck the only goal of the game early in the second half on Saturday

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Highlights of the EFL Championship match between Swansea and Preston

Ryan Manning's superb long-range strike was enough to seal all three points for Swansea as they overcame Preston 1-0.

Manning's 51st-minute strike was reward for a much-improved display after the break from Russell Martin's men.

Most of the first-half pressure came from the hosts with captain Matt Grimes to the fore along with Olivier Ntcham and Joel Latibeaudiere but they failed to break the deadlock before the interval.

Grimes' cross from the left picked out Cyrus Christie at the far post after only two minutes, but he could not get enough power on his header to trouble Daniel Iversen.

The Preston goalkeeper breathed a sigh of relief soon afterwards when Ntcham pounced on his miscued clearance but the big frontman's first touch sent him too wide and he fired into the side netting from a narrow angle.

Grimes curled over from the edge of the area before Latibeaudiere went down in the box only to be told to get up by referee Josh Smith.

But Preston were a threat on the break and former Wales striker Ched Evans almost got his name on the scoresheet in the 13th minute but his header from a Tom Barkhuizen cross was tipped over by Ben Hamer.

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Like his opposite number, Swansea goalkeeper Hamer had a big let-off when his attempted pass to Flynn Downes went straight to Daniel Johnson but the Preston midfielder volleyed wide from distance.

Ben Cabango also had to be alert with two important defensive headers as the visitors ended the half on top.

Martin sent on new loan signing Hannes Wolf in place of Ntcham for the second half and his presence seemed to give the hosts the spark they needed.

The breakthrough came from an unexpected source, however, as left wing-back Manning found himself in space and with defenders backing off he let fly from 25 yards. Iversen was beaten by the pace and the precision and Swansea had a deserved lead six minutes into the second half.

Christie almost added a second three minutes later but his fierce right-foot drive was pushed around the post.

The goal opened up play with both sides going for broke in the second half.

Johnson fired into the side netting for Preston after a mazy run into the Swansea box and, at the other end, Christie cut in from the right and curled a left-foot shot inches wide.

Manning then tried his luck again from distance but this time his left-foot thunderbolt was tipped round the post by Iversen.

Swansea survived a sustained period of pressure from the visitors in the closing stages, with substitute Ryan Ledson going closest with a fizzing effort that hit one of his own players in stoppage time.

What the managers said...

Swansea's Russell Martin: "We were pleased with a clean sheet; we kept a very good team to one shot on target in 90 minutes. We should have scored a couple more goals. We just needed to show a bit more calmness in front of goal. We started a little bit tense in the first half, we were a little bit flat. But I think that's to be expected after not playing here in front of our supporters for six weeks.

"In the second half we were much better. I really liked us once we scored the goal and the game became a lot more open. I'm pleased for the supporters. They've been so patient and understanding of what's gone on. I thought the atmosphere was great and we really fed off that in the second half. Hopefully it stays like that now for the rest of the season."

Preston's Ryan Lowe: "I thought we might get something at the end but, in general, I thought the turnovers were too quick. We gave away the ball too cheaply and we were trying to force the pass at times. I wanted us to be a bit braver and on the front foot in the final third.

"I thought we ran our socks off but it's just that last little bit; we know we've got to try to find a way of scoring more goals and the final ball wasn't right. The effort is always going to be there but we were just lacking that little bit of quality in certain areas."

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