Swansea Manager Steve Cooper Lauds ‘Difference Maker’ Andre Ayew After First Leg Victory Over Barnsley In EPL Promotion Play-Offs

Swansea City manager Steve Cooper is delighted to have talismanic forward Andre Ayew in his team after the Ghana captain gave the Welsh side a first leg advantage in the English Premier League promotion play-offs semifinal.

Ayew’s 17th goal of the season settled a tight contest at Oakwell as the Liberty Stadium outfit continue their chase for a top-flight return.

The 31-year-old skillfully cut in from the left before beautifully curling the ball into the net.

“I am pleased with the effort tonight,” he said after the game.

“We knew what the game would be, we felt it would go a certain way and away from home you have to respect that and stand up to it and match it.

“I thought we did that. We got a real moment of excellence with Andre’s goal and we managed to continue to be strong defensively.

“We could have shown a bit more quality on the ball at times, but I get it, the fans were back in tonight and there was a good atmosphere.

“Barnsley are a difficult team to play against with the way they play and there is that psychological thing where you are trying to protect the lead a little bit.

“We did that, there were not many chances in the game and it was a night where you had to be prepared to fight for everything.

“Freddie made some good saves, Marc and Ben – two 20-year-olds – were excellent at the back and have a great role model in Ryan Bennett.

“It was just a good effort from the boys, it was not a typical Swansea game but you have to respect that and you have to deal with it.

“Andre has then made the difference and we know he can do that, we’ve seen it plenty of times.”

Swansea will host Barnsley at the Liberty Stadium on Saturday for a place in the play-offs final.