Luke Williams | We gave the maximum and got the reward
Head coach Luke Williams felt his Swansea City side got the just rewards for the improved energy and intensity in their performance after they beat Stoke City 3-0 at the Swansea.com Stadium.
The Swans boss had demanded an improvement following the weekend defeat to Middlesbrough, and he got it as goals from Liam Cullen, Matt Grimes and Josh Key sealed a valuable three points.
Cullen steered home from a rehearsed set-piece move to open the scoring, before captain Grimes scored from the spot after Ollie Cooper was adjudged to have been fouled in the box.
And Key made sure of the win as he showed tremendous energy to get forward in support of Jamal Lowe, beat the final defender and lash a left-footed strike into the top corner.
And Williams was pleased was happier with what he had seen from his side.
“We got a response, I think everyone could see that,” he said.
“I was pretty direct after the Middlesbrough game, the players put that right and that’s a good feeling as a coach.
“The energy, intensity and aggression were there throughout the whole game, and then there were some lovely moments as well.
“When the fans come to the game they want to see these things as a minimum.
“The best bit was the willingness throughout the whole game to put their bodies on the line.
“Liam Cullen had to come off because he literally could not feel his legs, and that’s the only way.
“Win, lose or draw there has to be something there that everyone can see, that people are giving everything.
“You can lose a game of football you don’t deserve to lose, but to lose without giving the absolutely maximum is not a nice feeling.
“Tonight we gave the maximum and we got the points.”
Williams had words of praise for his captain, with Grimes outstanding at the heart of the Swansea midfield.
He took his penalty with aplomb, which was just reward for a tireless effort which saw him named man of the match.
“He was outstanding, what a player. He steps up for the penalty and you could almost tell from his stance that it was going to be a goal,” added the Swans boss.
“That was a proper penalty from a proper captain. There was no safety lock on there, his technique was so good, and that confidence and swagger meant there was only one outcome.
“He’s a brilliant guy, and we are lucky to have him.”