Rare derby draw feels like defeat for Swansea

There was an unfamiliar feeling at the end of Sunday’s south Wales derby, with the points shared after Callum Robinson’s late goal cancelled out Liam Cullen’s early opener.

Robinson’s calm finish meant a first draw in this fixture since the stalemate between Neil Harris’ Bluebirds and Steve Cooper’s Swansea side in January 2020.

It was just the second draw in the past 17 meetings of south Wales’ heavyweight clubs, yet for Cardiff it felt more like a victory.

In the Swansea dressing room, head coach Luke Williams revealed, the mood suggested his team had been beaten.

That is because Swansea were at home, because they led for 69 minutes and because they looked capable of extending their advantage during a first half they controlled.

It is also because Swansea have become used to having it their way in this fixture.

This was only the fourth time in the last dozen south Wales derbies, after all, that Cardiff have avoided defeat.

Swansea looked a decent side for much of the first half, with Goncalo Franco their standout player courtesy of his energy, nous and technical quality in midfield.

But five second-half changes – with Franco among those replaced, thanks in part to a shoulder issue – saw Swansea surrender momentum to a Cardiff side who, in contrast, benefited as a result of their substitutions.

Perhaps that says something about Swansea’s squad, which continues to look a little short on options despite the arrivals this week of Nelson Abbey and Florian Bianchini.

Williams was left to acknowledge that Cardiff were worthy of their point.

His Swansea side can now switch their focus to a midweek League Cup tie against Wycombe, while hoping the club’s hierarchy can deliver further reinforcements before the transfer window closes next Friday.

Then come 23 Championship games, starting at West Bromwich Albion next Saturday, before south Wales holds its breath for Swansea's next collision with Cardiff in mid-January.