Flynn Downes | We have to handle these situations better

Flynn Downes says Swansea City must be better at maintaining their control in games after letting a three-goal lead slip at Reading.

The game had got off to the worst possible start with Lucas Joao giving the Royals the lead from the penalty spot after just three minutes, but the Swans turned on the style and superb finishes from Hannes Wolf and Joel Piroe gave them the lead before quarter of an hour had been played.

Piroe extended the lead from the spot with the last kick of the first half, and Michael Obafemi’s 10th goal of the season put the visitors in a comfortable position at 4-1 up shortly after the break.

However. with just over an hour played the hosts fought back and goals from Tom Ince and Tom McIntyre either side of a second for Joao meant the sides shared the points.

And Downes could not hide his disappointment.

“I don’t really know what to say. We were 4-1 up and cruising,” Downes said.

“Obviously they threw everything at it, but I suppose that’s what happens when you get deeper into the season, because it was just a case for them of having nothing to lose. And you could see that in their performance, but we’ve got to do better.

“It’s happened a couple of times where we’ve absolutely dominated teams in the first half and then they’ve come out second half and throw everything at it.

“We end up playing their game, but we have to learn from that and play our game for the full 90 minutes.”

It was Downes’ first appearance since victory at Cardiff City on April 2. He has since been sidelined by a knee injury and, while Friday’s match against Barnsley came too soon for him, he was available to start on Monday.

He completed 60 minutes before being replaced by Jay Fulton and got an early assist when he played in Hannes Wolf in the sixth minute.

“I felt good – little bit unfit if I’m honest but my knee felt good so hopefully I can keep going now and get the match fitness back,” he added.

“I’ll take the assist all day but it was a great finish from Hannes.

“The fans were unbelievable. Honestly, even when we drew 4-4, at the end they were still cheering us on, we can’t thank them enough. We wanted to get the win for them but it wasn’t to be.

“We need to be better.”