Connor Roberts rises high to power Swansea to victory at Nottingham Forest

• Nottingham Forest 0-1 Swansea

Connor Roberts left the City Ground with a black eye but a wide smile after his brave header two minutes before half-time consolidated Swansea’s place as early play-off contenders in the Championship, lifting them into fourth place, two points behind leaders Norwich City.

The 5ft 9ins wing-back somehow managed to climb above 6ft 4ins Sammy Ameobi to nod the ball home but was left prone in the six-yard box as his teammates celebrated, having connected with the back of Ameobi’s head as well as the ball.

Happily he was able to resume after treatment and celebrate Swansea’s first win away win over Forest since 2006, when they were both in League One. The man-of-the-match award went to striker Andre Ayew, who posed a threat throughout, but Roberts won plenty of praise from manager Steve Cooper.

“To deliver a performance like that was really good,” Cooper said. “Forest are a good side, forget where they are in the league. Connor’s goal epitomised the display.

“He’s our wing-back, he’s in the opposition six-yard box, he’s jumped over a six feet four inch player, taken a bang in his face and headed in the goal. I’m not surprised, he’d do the same tomorrow, that was a good example of our mentality.”

To concede just before half-time is never ideal but Forest were likely to have found it tough going a goal behind at any stage against a team with the best defensive record in the Championship, especially given that they have scored in fewer than half of their fixtures.

They had enjoyed the best of the chances to that point, Lyle Taylor missing the target by a whisker with an early flick and Anthony Knockaert drawing a good save from goalkeeper Freddie Woodman after a jinking run moments before the Roberts goal.

They continued to press throughout the second half but could not create any more clear chances.  Swansea’s organisation never faltered and Forest became frustrated towards the close, Taylor picking up a yellow card for an x-rated broadside towards referee Tony Harrington after a free kick was awarded against him as Forest’s final attack came to nothing.

Forest manager Chris Hughton felt similarly on the touchline, as his side remain just outside the bottom three after three straight defeats. 

“I'm frustrated because we are conceding poor goals at one end and not creating enough clear chances at the other,” Hughton said.

‘It’s a game we shouldn’t have lost. Credit to Swansea for their game management but we’ve got to capitalise in the final third.

“We have a game against Watford, who are another very good side, here on Wednesday and we have to make the most of it as an opportunity to put things right.”

Nottingham Forest (4-2-3-1): Samba; Christie, Figueiredo, McKenna, Ribeiro; Yates, Colback (Arter 37); Kockaert, Guerrero (Lolley 53), Ameobi (Swan 76); Taylor.  Substitutes not used: Smith (gk), Mbe Soh, Jenkinson, Mighten, Cafu, Ioannou.

Swansea City (5-3-2): Woodman; Roberts, Naughton, Bennett, Guehi. Bidwell; Smith, Fulton, Grimes; Lowe (Routledge 80), Ayew.  Substitutes not used: Benda (gk), Manning, Gyokeres, Cullen, Dhanda, Garrick, Cabango, Palmer.

Referee: Tony Harrington (Cleveland)