Wayne Routledge’s 57th-minute goal saw Swansea City to a 1-0 victory over the Blues at Portman Road, ending a run of seven successive defeats on the road. Routledge followed-up after Town keeper Dean Gerken had pushed a Daniel James strike on to the post.

Boss Paul Lambert made seven changes from the team which lost 4-0 at Preston on Good Friday with Gerken, Will Keane, Trevoh Chalobah, Gwion Edwards, Andre Dozzell, Callum Elder and James Bree all in the XI.

Gerken returned in goal for Bartosz Bialkowski, who dropped to the bench, with Bree, one of four loan players, at right-back and Elder at left-back with Josh Emmanuel and Myles Kenlock both left out of the squad.

Chalobah and Dozzell joined Flynn Downes in central midfield with Cole Skuse and Teddy Bishop among the subs.

Up front, Keane made his first start following his hamstring injury down the centre with Alan Judge on the left and former Swans youngster Edwards on the right, although the two would swap flanks frequently once the game got under way.

For Swansea, George Byers came into the side for Barrie McKay, who dropped to the bench.

Ex-Blues loanee Cameron Carter-Vickers started for the Swans but another former Town loan player, Bersant Celina, missed out having been injured and ill over the last week.

At a warm and sunny Portman Road, with the pitch looking in tip-top condition, Swansea should have taken the lead in the fifth minute via the first chance of the game.

Toto Nsiala failed to deal with Swans keeper Kris Norfeldt’s long kick, allowing James a free run in on goal. However, as Gerken advanced, the Wales international put the ball wide of the Blues’ keeper’s left post when he really should have scored.

On six, Edwards shot well over from distance but with the Blues so far unable to create a more obvious opening.

Swansea were looking a threat when breaking via the pace of James in particular. On 17 they claimed a penalty when Byers went to ground after taking the ball past Gerken at an angle to the right of the keeper’s goal but the Swans midfielder looked to have fallen under his own steam having lost control and was yellow-carded by referee Darren England for diving.

Three minutes later, Jay Fulton joined his team-mate in the book for a foul on Downes just inside the Swansea half. In the 25th minute the midfielder hit a low shot from the edge of the box which Gerken saved with ease down to his right.

The Swans were dominating possession but without being able to carve out a clear-cut opportunity, while the Blues had been unable to put together a passage of play since the early stages. On 29 Nsiala was booked for shoving over James as he broke on the right.

Swansea went close on the half-hour when Fulton curled an effort from the 18-yard line towards the corner of the net only for Routledge to divert it over the bar from the edge of the six-yard box.

Town began to see more of the ball, although all too often giving it away cheaply on halfway, but in the 39th minute Downes made a strong run down the right but saw his cross diverted behind by a defender.

From the resulting corner the Blues went close to going in front. The ball on from the right eventually fell to Keane at the far post from where the on-loan Hull City man hit a shot which struck the post. The ball bounced out and Chalobah hit another effort from the edge of the box which flew wide.

Swansea were next to threaten in the 42nd minute, Routledge finding Connor Roberts breaking forward in space on their right but Gerken got down to his right to save the Wales international’s low shot.

A minute later, Downes cut in from the left and hit a shot which deflected over, then from Judge’s subsequent corner Nsiala rose highest but nodded back over the bar.

In injury time Byers turned a Routledge cross from the right wide at the near post before referee England ended the half.

The Blues could count themselves fortunate not to have been behind in the early stages when James went through one-on-one and the Swans continued to have most of the half’s opportunities.

While the Swans dominated possession for long spells, the Blues had put together decent interchanges at times and had got themselves more in the game as the break approached with chances starting to come, Keane having been unlucky not to mark an impressive return to the XI with a goal.

Six minutes after the restart Keane curled a shot goalwards which Nordveldt tipped over but with the linesman’s flag having been raised.

Swansea went close in the 52nd minute, Gerken doing well to get across to his left to palm James’s low shot across the area wide and just beyond the sliding Roberts.

The visitors had started the second half strongly and were dominating, and in the 57th minute they went in front.

After Chalobah had given the ball away to Fulton midway inside the Town half, Gerken tipped James’s low shot on to his right post but Routledge ran in to follow-up and slam into the roof of the net, the former England U21 international’s fourth goal of the season.

Bree was booked for a foul on James, an almost constant threat down the Swans left, just after the hour mark as Swansea went looking for their second of the afternoon.

In the 66th minute the Blues swapped Dozzell and Keane, who was tiring in the heat after his spell on the sidelines, for Collin Quaner and Kayden Jackson, who played on the right of the front three with Judge moving into the centre.

Matt Grimes shot over from distance for the visitors before goalscorer Routledge was replaced by Nathan Dyer.

The Swans were looking comfortable as the game entered its final 20 minutes and were looking the more likely scorers of the game’s second goal. On 73 top scorer Oli McBurnie flicked a header over at the near post from another James ball in from the left.

However, the Blues weren’t far away from an equaliser in the 77th minute when Downes sent Quaner away down the left. The on-loan Huddersfield striker brought the ball in and hit a low effort which Nordfeldt palmed across the face and wide. Quaner suffered a knock as he struck his effort but after treatment was able to continue. Moments later, Bishop took over from Chalobah.

Fulton hooked an acrobatic effort wide in the 84th minute before the Swans switched the midfielder for Leroy Fer.

In the 88th minute Quaner was again denied by Nordfeldt when through but this time having strayed offside.

Swansea replaced danger man James with Joe Rodon with the game already in six minutes of injury time.

Late on Judge shot wide from distant but a Town comeback in added-on time never really looked likely. Moments before the whistle keeper Gerken went up for a corner which came to nothing.

Once they’d got the lead they probably should have secured in the first half, Swansea professionally saw the game out for the most part with the Blues’ big opportunity Quaner’s effort which was well saved by Nordveldt.

Other than that, the Swans keeper was largely untested with Gerken the busier of the two keepers, although not forced into action as much as Swans boss Graham Potter would have wanted.

Following the final whistle the players and staff took part in the annual lap of appreciation, while those fans that remained in the Sir Bobby Robson Stand made plenty of noise despite another disappointing afternoon. The squad, some of whom were joined by their children, stopped to pay tribute as they made their way around the pitch.

The Blues are next in action at Sheffield United next Saturday in a live Sky game which kicks off at 5.15pm, with their only remaining home game is the final day match at home to Leeds on Sunday 5th May (KO 12.30pm).

Town: Gerken, Bree, Chambers (c), Nsiala, Elder, Chalobah (Bishop 79), Downes, Dozzell (Quaner 66), Edwards, Judge, Keane (Jackson 66). Unused: Bialkowski, Skuse, Nydam, Ndaba.

Swansea: Nordfeldt, Roberts, Van der Hoorn (c), Carter-Vickers, Naughton, Fulton (Fer 84), Grimes, Routledge (Dyer 70), Byers, James (Rodon 90), McBurnie. Unused: Benda, McKay, John, Baker-Richardson. Referee: Darren England (South Yorkshire). Att: 17,247 (Swansea: 557)

Photo: TWTD

TractorBeezer added 18:02 - Apr 22 Disappointing performance. Let's have 2 up front and someone taking charge at the back. I was most impressed with Carter-Vickers who was strong and comfortable in all situations. Congrats to our ground staff….the pitch looks great for April!
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blueboy1981 added 18:02 - Apr 22 We are totally inept with the loan players, and have been all season - what is there within the Club to suggest that without them, the situation will be turned around from within ?? There is nothing short of a miracle required because players who will be here, are proving, game after game ,they are not up to it. What will change in a few short weeks ?? - and weeks it will be, not months, to rebuild and hit the ground running.

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Bert added 18:04 - Apr 22 Am I the only one who cannot see what Dozzell is offering ?
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Bluearmy_81 added 18:05 - Apr 22 What an embaressment we have become. This calamitous shambles is the fault of one man more than any other, Marcus Evans. Please join the new Facebook group 'Evans out of ITFC.'
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therein61 added 18:15 - Apr 22 Since his positive arrival and putting some hope into the fans hearts Lambert has resorted to the same ridiculous formations and selection policy we have seen in the past 5 seasons makes me wonder who's really pulling the strings behind the scenes if this continues then we are in total freefall the club I have followed home and away for 60 years is an utter disgrace!!!!! Lambert is the manager not the 2 remaining proper blokes who are causing disruption(get rid of both now!!)

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warktheline added 18:17 - Apr 22 We are beyond parity with any other club in Championship! The very few games that have been won were by huge slices of luck and hanging on like a punch drunk boxer against the ropes! That aside the team have rarely tested opponents throughout the entire season! Absolutely shameful and so are those who have made excuse after excuse and gave thanks to Evans for ‘allowing' Ipswich Town to merely exist!

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DebsyAngel added 18:19 - Apr 22 The worst game I have been too all season. OK, it's not help I am not very well still, but thought the weather would make me feel better. How wrong I was. The first half was ok, but 2nd half - terrible. Only Will Keane and Quaner tried to make something happen. Even the lap of honour the players didnt really look that interested in doing it. Understandable I suppose with the season we have had.

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Wishing4arightback added 18:22 - Apr 22 Poor, poor, poor, poor. Don't really know what else to say. If we need to play 2 strikers when we are behind there's a novel idea.... play 2 from the start and we might take the lead?????? Midfield has potentially good players, but they seem like strangers just running around and creating the square root of nothing! Defence, full backs were not better than our own players. Yes Toto has a mistake in him but actually tries, get some blocks in and clearly was gutted when they scored, at least he cared! Chambers... what can you say?? He is always having a go at his team mates but makes more mistakes than anyone else on the pitch, at least Gerken had a pop back at him when he was doing his usual post cockup moan to cover up his pants football. Mr Lambert, yes you were a great player, yes you have one promotion as a manager, BUT, I'm sure thousands of people cant all be wrong???? 2 up top, a diamond in midfield with players in their actual positions and get rid of Chambers. At least that way we might, just might, attack, create chances and dare I say it....... score goals and maybe win????? Who knows? What would a fan know????

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blueboy1981 added 18:23 - Apr 22 Bluearmy_91 ......... I agree with some of the content of your posts, however, you cannot continuously blame all on Evans, and Chambers - that in itself is so, so foolhardy. What has Lambert done since he arrived ? - to a large extent sold himself to the Club, and Supporters - credit to him for that, it was most definitely needed. Personally, I again today had to question his team selection / formation - to win matches you have to score goals - WE DON'T EVEN RESEMBLE A THREAT - far from actually posing one. 100% down to Lambert - 0% down to Evans - as for Chambers, he is not the most gifted of players for sure, but in mitigation, playing as CB in a team that NEVER scores goals, and don't even look like doing so - he is ALWAYS under pressure to not make a mistake. Many players would not even be able to take such pressure as he has continuously done., believe me. Why so many Managers rate him so highly on the pitch, I find hard to understand though - but I salute him for his other creditable traits, which he does have. Lambert has an even more difficult task on his hands now, than he did when he took over, he had time to turn it around - but hasn't. He now has to earn his corn - big time. Will he be up to it ? - personally I doubt it, but hope he does. I have a feeling that Scotland will come calling and he will execute the great escape. Time will indeed tell, on all fronts. Optimistic for next season ? - currently NO unfortunately, although I had sincerely hoped to be. And still live in hope.

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jas0999 added 18:24 - Apr 22 Very poor. Continue to be concerned for next season. This is one of the worst teams we have had for years. Swansea ultimately deserved a very rare away win. This has been a terrible season. Season ticket sales may suffer as a result of yet another poor home defeat, failing to score.
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Bluearmy_81 added 18:32 - Apr 22 Blueboy, your inability to see the bigger picture and not see the elephant in the room is unfathomable. Evans has led us with austerity football for years and over saw the asset stripping of our best players last summer. The fact that we have probably the worst Town squad ever is down to him can you seriously not see that FFS?!!!
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Dissboyitfc added 18:33 - Apr 22 why start with 4 loanees who wont be here next season, so puzzling, starting with one up front again so puzzling! we all need this dreadful season to come to an end and you can tell the players cant wait either! Looked like a team of strangers, one word for me covers that, woeful! The faith will diminish very quickly next season if nothing improves! Very worried dot com!

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TimmyH added 18:48 - Apr 22 jas0999...agree with your post (as per usual) bar the 'one of the worst team we've had in years' sentence, it's not one of the worst it IS the worst and not in years, decades I would say. In my life time (I was 50 last year) it is clearly the poorest even beating the 1994/95 Premiership side for crapyness.
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jas0999 added 19:13 - Apr 22 TimmyH - you are absolutely correct! Like you, I can remember that 1994/95 season - which was at least in the Premiership! We got to at least see a number of decent teams week in week out. This team is by far More useless than that!
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Lathers added 19:22 - Apr 22 Jas and Timmy I agree, although the 9-0 away at Utd and losing at Wrexham in the FA CUP R3 did make it a tough season.... I just hope Lambert picks and motivates a team that doesn't embarrass us on Sky Sports (again) at Sheff Utd on Saturday...
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dirtydingusmagee added 19:31 - Apr 22 pathetic. Get rid of the lot and start from scratch,Next season will be just as embarrissing unless there is a massive change all round.Surely even the most optimitic supporters must really see that this team is just not good enough and will continue to be a bunch of lightweights in Lge 1. They offer nothing NOTHING. they dont deserve to wear the shirt. .Paul Lambert is now looking very underwhelming , No sign of improvement no cause for optimism . AWFUL TIMES , It will take something special to get me back to Portman Rd next season.And i cant see anything changing.

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PSGBlue added 19:37 - Apr 22 An abysmal season all round. Both PL and PH must have managed to have the worst two records in the clubs history in the same season. 28 points how embarrassing! It is put in its true perspective when I recall all the victories we have had this season without looking anything up. Swansea, Wigan, Rotherham and Bolton. There, done it...even got them in the right order!
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herfie added 19:41 - Apr 22 Interesting that PL assessed today's performance as significantly better than against PNE. He got the reaction he demanded. Yet, in truth, it was poor fare, against a solid yet average Swansea side. We can analyse tactics, question training methods and ponder players' commitment; but ultimately it comes down to individuals' quality, technical ability, getting the basics of the game right, and belief that we can win football matches. Sadly, we have consistently come up short on these key qualities: with limited creativity, inability to score anything like enough goals, whilst regularly conceding soft ones at key moments in games. Thus the table doesn't lie. Notwithstanding the prevailing optimism, or defiance, regarding our ability to compete effectively in League 1, the amount of work that confronts PL in the summer, the success of which will be linked closely with the levels of financial support ME is prepared to provide, should not be underestimated. So much needs an honest reappraisal, and significant surgery, if we are not simply to continue on the road that's signposted ‘steep decline ahead'. Really not aiming to be disloyal or overly pessimistic. But as things stand, we just don't seem equipped to win football matches - and it won't necessarily be any easier next season.

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brittaniaman added 19:46 - Apr 22 marco You can say the same about Preston they had lost there previous four until they played us of course
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RobsonWark added 19:52 - Apr 22 bluemike1969 There must be something in Chambers contract that he has to play every game...How can we get rid of that guy! Captain Calamity Chambers is bringing this club to its knees!!!
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blue86 added 19:52 - Apr 22 was hoping today would inspire me ahead of next season..... but im not convinced at the mo. the thing is we need strengthening all over the pitch, and we have already been told that funds will be very limited and we will use the young lads. but we are desperate for some leaders and experience on the pitch, youth will give you energy and excitement but we need a balanced squad if we are to have a chance of bouncing straight back, which i really cant see to be honest. and dont get me wrong i want lambert to succeed at town, but he needs a good start otherwise questions will be asked. trying to keep the faith but struggling to be honest! big summer coming up for the club, PLEASE TOWN get it right. coyb

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cat added 19:55 - Apr 22 WTF is going on, yeah we have been pretty poor all season, but at least we showed some decent passages of play earlier in the season, now we seem devoid and clueless of pretty much anything. Individual mistakes cost us dear under Hurst, Lambert come in not to ready us for next season but to save us from relegation. We appear to have taken a massive step back, not good when your trying to encourage ST for next year. We're pish poor, and if you didn't know, you do now!

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brittaniaman added 20:04 - Apr 22 I have been watching closely League 1 on Quest lately (as they now have a hour of it) and there are some good teams in there, it is not going to be the walk in the Park as we think it will be ?? PL has certainly got to be sharp on his dealings this summer on his outs and ins
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runaround added 20:14 - Apr 22 Swansea did not have to get out of second gear to win today. The players put the effort in but they seemed to be physically & emotionally exhausted. I think relegation has hit them hard & season probably can't end early enough for some of them. They need to get this out of their system pronto as we really need to hit the ground running next season and not feel sorry for themselves. It really does hurt to see the club in this situation so for me the season can't end soon enough either. After this season is put to bed we can finally start to look forward to writing some of the wrongs & getting the club moving forward again. The support is there but potentially a difficult road ahead for Lambert & the players

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RobsonWark added 20:41 - Apr 22 Well said Wishing4arightback "Chambers... what can you say?? He is always having a go at his team mates but makes more mistakes than anyone else on the pitch, at least Gerken had a pop back at him when he was doing his usual post cockup moan to cover up his pants football." I've been banging on all season that he is our weakest link in the team and all the opposition managers know that so we don't stand a chance of winning a game. But there are too many groupies on here (even Lambert and Evans too by the look of it) who still think Chambers is the MESSIAH and he is the answer to all our prayers...

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