Vincent Kompany praises Swansea City approach

Burnley boss Vincent Kompany praised Swansea City’s display against his Championship leaders, and described their Swansea.com Stadium visit as one of their toughest assignments of the season.

The Clarets emerged 2-1 winners in an engrossing encounter at the Swansea.com Stadium, Ian Maatsen’s brace sealing three points despite Ollie Cooper pulling a goal back for the hosts.

The Swans gave as good as they got against a Burnley side who have lost just two games all season, and look destined for an immediate return to the Premier League.

Swansea and the Clarets are the two sides with the highest possession figures in the league, and both play with a desire to dominate games with the ball.

And former Manchester City and Belgium defender Kompany, a four-time Premier League champion, was effusive in his assessment of Russell Martin’s team.

“I knew this was going to be a difficult game. There was more aggression in their game and you could see they were a team putting up a real fight,” he said.

“They were together. They have always been a great side for me and I love watching them. There isn’t a single team in the league, not even us, who can manipulate the ball like they do.

“We went to Old Trafford and pressed and we found it more difficult in the first half here.

“On the other side of things, when they were aggressive like they were in this game they look very complete to me. We have got a team that is doing well and so we love the challenge. 

“It has certainly been one of the hardest games of the season for us. 

“When I see there are only five points between 16th and the play-offs, who knows what could happen.

“I just feel that when I watch them play they are doing a lot right. Eventually it is about keeping the ball out of your net and putting it in the net, so we will see.”