Swansea City

Gareth Vincent
BBC Sport Wales

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

It says something about Swansea City's increased depth out wide that Ronald's first start of the season came at right-back.

Having fallen down the pecking order for a start on the wing this season, Ronald came close to leaving Swansea for Millwall prior to last month's transfer deadline.

Seven weeks later, Vitor Matos must be glad the Brazilian is still around.

Though he has been used sparingly so far this season, Ronald has had a positive impact.

That continued when the 25-year-old started against West Ham United last weekend, as he let nobody down despite being played out of position in the absence of regular right-backs Josh Key and Filip Lissah.

"I think Ronnie took the role as well as we all thought he could. I'm really proud of him," said Swansea head coach Matos.

Ronald played a full 90 minutes against West Ham, the first time he has managed that feat this season.

Before that, he had racked up only 112 minutes combined across five substitute appearances in 2026-27.

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

With the likes of Moussa Yeo, Joseph Opoku and Eom Jisung competing with him for game-time out wide, Ronald may find himself back on the bench when Swansea go to Queens Park Rangers next Saturday, with Lissah favourite to start at right-back as he returns from suspension.

But Ronald has made his mark from the bench this season, with a goal in the win at Derby County in August, a notable assist against Burnley and the late winner at Millwall last week.

Not only that, but Ronald proved against West Ham that he can put in a shift in defence when required, with his contribution prompting Swansea fans to sing the name of a player who has faced his share of criticism from the stands.

"I think Ronnie did a quite consistent game, a quite good game, even in moments offensive-wise, coming from the back with the energy to push the team forward," Matos added.

"He helped us a lot, it was not an easy game against [Manor] Solomon, who is probably one of the best dribblers of the league, and with the overload over that side, with Morato arriving here and him moving inside.

"I think he handled that really well and that gives us the comfort that if we decide to use him, for sure he will perform again."

Gareth Vincent
BBC Sport Wales

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

Since defeat to Derby County in his first game in charge, Vitor Matos has lost only three of 20 home league fixtures as Swansea City's head coach.

It is an admirable record, particularly when you consider that he took over a Swansea side who were sitting 20th in the table.

Coming up to 11 months on, Matos' Swansea are top of the Championship despite being beaten at home by West Ham United on Saturday.

There was no shame in the loss. Swansea pushed the side who are widely regarded as favourites for the second-tier title close.

Matos' team had more than 68% of possession, while their xG was only marginally inferior to West Ham's even though Lawrence Vigouroux made some big second-half saves.

The fact is that if one of Swansea's big chances had fallen to a striker rather than a centre-back, they may well have emerged from the game with something.

Instead Matos' players were left licking wounds after a first home league defeat of the season.

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

West Ham became the first visiting victors in a league match at the Swansea.com Stadium since Southampton, whose somewhat fortuitous 2-1 win in April extended their unbeaten run at that stage to 16 matches.

Before that it was a Coventry City side destined for the Premier League who strolled to a seventh win in eight games, with Matt Grimes among their goalscorers in March.

That loss ended Swansea's run of 10 home league matches without defeat which stretched all the way back to the Derby fixture, a game that took place barely 24 hours after Matos had been appointed.

Since losing to the Rams – who were another side in fine form at that point, it should be said – Swansea's only Championship defeats on their own patch have come against promotion contenders.

The challenge for Matos' players after the West Ham setback is to ensure that remains the case for the rest of this campaign.

Should they manage that, Swansea may well be promotion contenders themselves come the end of the season.

We asked for your views after Swansea City were beaten 1-0 at home by West Ham United on Saturday.

It was only a second Championship defeat this season for Swansea, who remain top of the table as they prepare for next Saturday's trip to Queens Park Rangers.

Swansea City fans

Howard: On the whole Swansea gave a good account of themselves. [Ben] Cabango could/should have levelled the score. West Ham are a class act. Will be interesting to see where these two teams end up a couple of months down the line.

Rob: Swansea midfield lacked a creative player, leading to no shots on target. West Ham are a strong team and coped well with our wide players. West Ham slightly edged the game with a well-worked goal.

David: Did enough to at least come away with a point and possibly three.

Colin: Swansea played well against a dangerous West Ham and definitely were worth a point at least.

Ian: No shots on target! Enough said I think.

George: Swansea played very good passing football.

Sally: Tough game against a Premier League team [last season] plus the ref who gave us nothing. Fell for all professional tactics from the Hammers, players feigning injury and timewasting. That said Cabango needs to do much better in front of goal. [Moussa] Yeo needs to learn when to pass the ball rather than going for glory. Swans deserved a point at least from game.

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

When asked on Saturday evening whether Swansea City will be automatic promotion contenders throughout this Championship season, Nuno Espirito Santo declined to give an answer.

The only focus, the West Ham United boss insisted, was his own team.

Nuno was in upbeat mood after victory at the Swansea.com Stadium lifted the Hammers to second in the second tier, just a point behind Vitor Matos' top-of-the-table Swansea side.

And while he did not want to discuss Swansea's promotion prospects, the former Wolves, Tottenham and Nottingham Forest boss was quick to acknowledge that West Ham had been made to work for perhaps their most notable victory so far this season.

"Swansea is a very good team," Nuno said.

"Vitor is doing an amazing job, the way he puts the boys to play, the way they are organised, their belief until the final moments, the problems that they create.

"We knew that it was going to be tough. It's a very tough opponent, a very good team of football.

"Inside our main goal, each game is a final so I am happy, happy that we achieved in a tough place a good performance and a good result."

Divine Mukasa's first-half goal gave West Ham victory as Swansea were beaten for only the second time in the league this season.

The Swans had chances to respond, though Nuno's side might have stretched their lead after the break as Lawrence Vigouroux made a number of saves.

"It's not easy to try and block Swansea," Nuno added.

"They are very dynamic, they have the wingers one-v-one, they have speed, they run the channel, [they have] a very good striker that always gives good mobility.

"I think overall, in terms of organisation, the team was really, really good. Then it's individual tasks, a lot of duels that were in the game, trying to win each and every individual battle so we can improve."

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

Ross Stewart was left out of the Swansea City squad for Saturday's defeat to West Ham United because of homegrown player rules.

Scotland striker Stewart has managed only two substitute appearances since joining Swansea in August, thanks in part to fitness issues.

The 30-year-old was denied the chance to add to that tally this weekend because of the need to include a minimum of seven homegrown players in a matchday squad.

A homegrown player is one who spent at least three years with an English or Welsh club before turning 21.

Stewart spent his formative years playing non-league football in Scotland, hence he was omitted against West Ham and Vitor Matos instead named Welsh teenager Thomas Woodward on the bench.

Swansea were short of homegrown players because Filip Lissah was missing through suspension while defenders Josh Key and Cameron Burgess are both on the injured list.

"It's a football decision from the situation that we have with the injuries of Cam and Keysey and Fil's suspension," said Matos.

"I don't know why, but the Scottish players don't count. Someone can explain that to me.

"Because of that, we needed to make a decision with the short term and that's the decision I made."

Woodward, fellow youngster Carter Heywood, Lawrence Vigouroux, Ben Cabango, Josh Tymon, Adam Idah and Andy Fisher were the seven homegrown players in Swansea's squad against West Ham.

Lissah's return from suspension should pave the way for Stewart to come back into Matos' squad when Swansea return to action at Queens Park Rangers next weekend.

Image source, Getty Images

Vitor Matos is unsure whether Jeremy Monga may be recalled by Manchester City in January, with the teenage winger yet to make an appearance for Swansea City.

The Swans looked to have pulled off a coup when they signed England Under-19 international Monga on loan before last month's transfer deadline.

But the 17-year-old, who moved to the Etihad Stadium from Leicester City in a £10m deal over the summer, is yet to make a matchday squad since switching to south Wales.

Matos says Championship leaders Swansea are "in contact all the time" with Monga's parent club.

"There's a lot of things that, when you have a player on loan, you need to do and communicating is one of them," said the Swansea head coach.

"There's a lot of communication, and we are here with an open book about it. He's available, of course, but at the moment we have a really competitive squad.

"We need to make decisions regarding all the possibilities, to try to cover all scenarios on the bench as well, regarding how the game goes, let's say it like that.

"So far, Jeremy didn't make the squad, but let's see."

Monga, who became the third youngest player in Premier League history while at Leicester, had hoped to get regular football at Swansea, having scored once in 37 senior appearances for the Foxes.

But the likes of Moussa Yeo, Joseph Opoku, Eom Jisung and Ronald have been ahead of him in the pecking order at Swansea this season.

When asked whether Manchester City could opt to cut Monga's loan spell short, Matos said: "Let's see, we don't know.

"He's trying to make steps, he's trying to compete, he's trying to improve in a competitive squad.

"So I think there's still a lot of time. He's a really young player with a lot of potential; that's why he's at Manchester City and made games with Leicester, but at the moment that's our squad, so let's see for the future."

Image source, Opta

Swansea's promotion credentials are set to be given their sternest test yet as West Ham visit on Saturday (15:00 BST).

Despite winning four straight games the Swans could start the game second in the Championship, should Middlesbrough overcome Cardiff in the early kick-off, but will seek to continue their unbeaten run at home, taking 11 points from five games so far and conceding only twice.

The Hammers - who lie four points behind City in the standings - are the country's leading scorers with 29 goals across 10 matches, six of those in a midweek win at Lincoln, which made it nine points from five games unbeaten on their travels.

• Swansea won their last league game against West Ham 4-1 in March 2018, last beating the Hammers twice in a row in the league in September 1957 (3 in a row).

• West Ham have won on just one of their past six league visits to Swansea (D3 L2), a 4-1 Premier League win on Boxing Day 2016.

• With 23 points across their opening 10 Championship matches this season (W7 D2 L1), Swansea City are enjoying their second-best Football League campaign at this stage after only 1923-24 (25 - when assuming three points for a win).

• West Ham have lost their past two away league games against sides from Wales and will be looking to avoid losing three in succession for the first time since September 1957 (4).

• Thanks to his goal and two assists against Lincoln in midweek, West Ham's Jarrod Bowen became the first player across England's top four tiers this season to record 5+ goals (6) and 5+ assists (5) this season.

Swansea City head coach Vitor Matos previews Saturday's top-of-the-table Championship clash against fellow challengers West Ham United.

Image source, Getty Images

Stephen Eustaquio could play some part in Swansea City's top-of-the-table meeting with West Ham United after returning to training following a shoulder injury.

Canada international Eustaquio, 29, has missed Swansea's wins over Norwich City and Millwall after getting injured while on international duty.

But the midfielder has a chance of featuring when Vitor Matos' Championship leaders host third-placed West Ham on Saturday (15:00 BST).

However, Matos has confirmed that right-back Josh Key is still undergoing rehabilitation for a hamstring problem.

With versatile defender Filip Lissah suspended, that means Swansea are without a recognised right-back for the Hammers' visit.

The likes of Stephen Welsh, Tiago Parente and Ronald look to be among the contenders to fill in, though Matos would prefer to keep his plans a secret.

"Of course I would prefer to have everyone available, but we don't have, so we will find a solution," he said.

"There's a lot of possibilities that we are seeing, and we will try to find the one that will balance the team."

Image source, Getty Images

Striker Bobby Wales has returned to Swansea City from his loan spell at Dundee after suffering an ankle injury.

Wales has made five appearances for Dundee since joining the Scottish Premiership club on loan for the season in August.

But the 21-year-old is back in Wales being assessed by Swansea's medical staff after getting injured while playing for Scotland Under-21s.

"He's down at Swansea, but they want him to see a certain specialist, and that should take place next Wednesday," said Dundee boss Steven Pressley.

Image source, Getty Images

Vitor Matos has a headache at right-back going into Swansea City's top-of-the-table meeting with West Ham United on Saturday after losing Filip Lissah to suspension.

Lissah started on the right side of defence in Tuesday's win at Millwall but will serve a one-match ban this weekend after becoming the first Championship player to collect five yellow cards this season.

With Josh Key currently sidelined by a hamstring injury, Swansea have no senior right-back available to face the Hammers.

Matos has the option of playing a central defender on the right side of defence, with Stephen Welsh the man most likely to do that job, if required.

Alternatively, the Swansea head coach could ask one of his left-backs, Josh Tymon and on-loan Benfica youngster Tiago Parente, to play on the opposite flank.

The third choice would be to ask a midfielder or wide player to drop into the back four, with Brazilian winger Ronald – scorer of Swansea's late winner at Millwall – perhaps the leading contender if Matos goes for that option.

Leaders Swansea will aim to make it eight wins from 11 league games this season as they take on a West Ham side regarded by many as favourites to win the Championship title.

Head coach Vitor Matos reacts to Swansea's last-gasp 1-0 win at Millwall, which kept them top of the Championship after 10 games.