By Harrison Atta
Boyhood fan Liam Cullen struck the goal that sent Swansea City on the way to a dominant south Wales derby win against dismal Cardiff City.
Cullen, who has been with the Swans since the age of eight, fired home the opening goal in the 34th minute, with striker Jamal Lowe providing the killer blow deep into injury time.
Lowe’s goal set the seal on a deserved win for Luke Williams’ side, with the Bluebirds never offering enough to suggest they could pull off their first ever league double over their bitter rivals.
Erol Bulut’s Cardiff were looking to launch a surprise run for play-offs having chalked up four wins on the bounce going into this, while Swansea, just five points clear of the Championship relegation zone at the start of the day, had cementing safety on their minds.
Cardiff went into the game off the back of a sensational win against Ipswich with two stoppage-time goals from Ryan Wintle and Callum O’Dowda. Swansea, meanwhile, were fresh from a loss against Bristol City.
But Swansea applied all the early pressure, claiming a corner in the first 30 seconds.
Despite being in control, the Swans were unable to register a shot on target – much to the frustration of a fervent home crowd who roared approval at every tackle.
Swansea’s first real chance came via a 20 yard free-kick following a foul on Joe Allen by Cardiff midfielder David Turnbull foul.
It came to nothing, but in the 15th minute centre-half Harry Darling hit the crossbar with a header.
Moments later Darling was involved in an altercation with Cardiff striker Yakou Meite, going dramatically to ground after an apparent head-butt by the Bluebirds man.
Referee David Webb decided a yellow card – for both players – was sufficient, but Meite could easily have seen red on another day.
Cullen’s breakthrough was no more than the hosts deserved, though Cardiff were aggrieved.
The Swans man was free to slot home a cross left-footed, but the visitors thought full-back Perry Ng had been man-handled to the ground as the ball came in – claims that referee Webb waved away.
Bulut rang the changes at half-time, withdrawing Meite for Callum O’Dowda and sending on Rubin Colwill for Turnbull.
But while there was a slight improvement in the visitors, they were unable to find the all-important equaliser.
And early in the second half NG was penalised for a foul on Brazilian striker Ronald in the penalty box.
It looked a slightly harsh call, but home fans were stunned when Cullen sent his spot-kick wide.
This could have been the psychological boost Cardiff needed to go on and get something out of the game, but there was to be no breakthrough.
Aaron Ramsey returned to action off the bench as the half wore on, but while he and Colwill brought some much-needed quality to the Cardiff midfield, they could not turn the scoreboard around.
Cardiff’s fate was sealed when substitute Lowe took advantage of lax defending to launch a solo run from the halfway line before rounding goalkeeper Ethan Horvath for Swansea’s second.
The result saw the derby bragging rights return west until next season.