Alfie Mawson earned high praise from manager Paul Clement as Swansea City eased into the fourth round of the Carabao Cup.
The Swans defender scored his first goal of the season in the 2-0 win at Reading and Jordan Ayew came off the bench to claim the second as Clement’s side moved into the last 16.
Swansea were forced to defend for long periods, but their success in keeping another clean sheet means they are yet to concede a goal in away games at Southampton, Crystal Palace, Tottenham and now Reading.
The only away goal they have let in this season was in the 4-1 victory at MK Dons in the second round of this competition.
Mawson, who scored seven goals last season, impressed at both ends of the field at the Madejski Stadium and Clement said: “He is really maturing well.
“He looks strong physically, he dealt with a lot of situations here by reading the game well. He is very dangerous in the opposing box and he is good on the ball.
“He is part of that defensive unit that are doing very well at the moment.
“The goal came at a good moment and we are very pleased to go through, it was a difficult game. Reading are a very good side who were very unlucky not to come into the Premier League.
“Their movement is good and we had some difficulties with them, we knew we were in a game but the first goal changed the rhythm of the game and we knew we could make ourselves nice and compact and wait for the right opportunity.
“It is another away clean sheet, we were telling the players we wanted that after the second goal and that is a good mentality to have. The record is good, it is early days but we are defending well.”
Former England Under-21 defender Mawson turned home Renato Sanches’ 52nd-minute corner to put the visitors ahead before substitute Ayew rifled in late on to settle the contest.
