Swansea City came from behind to secure a dramatic comeback win against Reading.
Jay Fulton, Ollie Cooper and Harry Darling all struck following goals from Yakou Meite and Tom Ince for the visitors to ensure the Swans claimed all three points against the Royals. Here are the key talking points from the game.
Tactical changes reap rewards
Swansea's coaching staff could be forgiven for wondering how they found themselves 2-0 down just after the half hour mark.
The Swans dominated proceedings as Reading sat deep and absorbed wave after wave of pressure. But defensive sloppiness proved costly once again as Meite and Ince both beat Steven Benda to put Reading in command.
Despite those setbacks, it always felt as though Swansea could salvage something from the contest, such were their efforts. And the coaches more than played their part in the impressive turnaround.
Andy Parslow can once again be pleased with a set-piece goal as Darling headed home Matt Grimes' corner late on in the first half while Russell Martin's decision to send on Armstrong Oko-Flex for the second half reaped big rewards.
The West Ham loanee was direct and offered a real threat with his pace in an area where Swansea were blunt in the opening half with Matty Sorinola and Joel Latibeaudiere occupying the wing-back berths. Ryan Manning's return will see a huge improvement in that regard while Fin Stevens could yet get a run-out at some point.
Oko-Flex was desperately unfortunate to be withdrawn late on, although the substitution was clearly for the benefit of the team who had earned themselves a lead to hold on to thanks, in part, to the efforts of the 20-year-old.
Kyle Naughton, Olivier Ntcham, Stevens and Liam Cullen all entered the fray as Swansea saw out the contest comfortably, such was their control of the game against a side who always looked happy to leave south Wales with a point.
Victory against Paul Ince's troops means Swansea have claimed 10 points from losing positions this season, the most of any side in the Championship. And, despite the absence of several key players, the Swans did what they haven't done in 11 years by coming from two goals down to win for the first time since beating Middlesbrough 4-3 in February 2011 to give the Jack Army a huge lift ahead of Sunday's clash with Cardiff City.
Cooper expectation
Russell Martin has no doubt in his mind that Ollie Cooper will play for Wales in the future.
The 22-year-old scored his second goal of the campaign in the 3-2 triumph against Reading and once again led the way with his pressing and energy.
And while Martin feels the World Cup squad may come too soon for Cooper, the Swansea boss is under no illusions that the attacker will earn caps for his country further down the line.
"He'll play for Wales at some point. I've got no doubt," said Martin. "He has the ability and capacity to be in that squad now in my opinion.
"But it's been a long road to get there and a lot of people have been a huge part of that. I think with Ollie, we've known he has so much ability. The crowd love him which is brilliant, and we do as well. He feeds off that.
"I think the next step for Ollie is to feel he really belongs at this level. He does deserve to be there and performing how he is. The next bit for him is adding goals and assists which he's starting to do now."
Cardiff boost(s)
Russell Martin has revealed Swansea will have at least one injured player back for Sunday's derby clash with Cardiff City.
Joel Piroe is out of the fixture against the Bluebirds due to suspension while Jamie Paterson, Joe Allen and Ryan Manning have all missed games of late. However, Martin has revealed two of the latter three could be in the squad against Mark Hudson's side at the weekend.
"We'll definitely have one, and we'll hopefully have two," he said.
Manning missed the games against Burnley and Reading but appears to be the most likely to be involved on Sunday while Allen is understood to be close to a return. Paterson is expected to feature before the World Cup break.
READ MORE: The Swansea City player ratings as unsung hero excellent and others impress in Reading win
Piroe hope
Joel Piroe can benefit from his stint out of action after frustration got the better of him at Burnley, says head coach Martin.
The Dutchman was shown a straight red card for a stamp on Josh Cullen during Swansea's 4-0 defeat to the Clarets on Saturday, meaning he will miss the games against Cardiff City and Bristol City having already been unavailable for the triumph over Reading.
But Martin feels that Piroe - who featured in all but two of Swansea's Championship matches under the current coaching staff prior to missing Tuesday night's 3-2 success against the Royals - will return to action with a point to prove following his dismissal in Lancashire.
"We couldn't appeal it," he said. "Joel has not meant to hurt him, Joel was frustrated.
"It looks worse than it was, for sure. We spoke to an advisor on it, someone we trust in that department, they said we had no chance [of overturning the red card].
"Joel's gutted, he's frustrated and he's let himself down. He feels he's let his team-mates down. But he'll learn from that. He's some football player and he's a great lad.
"He will come back, I've got no doubt, refreshed, energised and desperate to make up for that. I look forward to two games time when we can get him back on the pitch and he'll be more than ready."
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