Swansea in play-off places after 1-0 win over Charlton

Swansea began 2020 with a 1-0 win over Charlton which saw them climb to sixth in the Championship table.

Yan Dhanda's first-half strike was enough to propel the Swans into the play-off places and seal a first win in three.

Steve Cooper made sweeping changes to the Swansea side held by Barnsley in their final match of 2019.

The return of centre-back Mike Van Der Hoorn from a knee injury was one of six alterations that also saw Connor Roberts, George Byers, Dhanda, Wayne Routledge and Borja Baston come into the starting XI.

There were only 14 minutes on the clock when Dhanda fired in the opener.

Andre Ayew and Routledge exchanged passes during a neat build-up before Dhanda curled the ball into the bottom corner from the edge of box.

Swansea were in complete control but were denied a second goal by some heroic goalkeeping and the woodwork.

Ayew was denied by a sprawling save from Dillon Phillips, while Byers lashed a low shot against the upright.

Cooper's men were given a warning seven minutes into the second half when Charlton substitute Alfie Doughty latched onto Albie Morgan's lofted ball in behind, but the young forward dragged his shot wide.

The Addicks piled on the pressure in the closing stages as they went in search of a morale-boosting leveller but Swansea held on to climb into the top six.

The Swans now face a quick turnaround as they face QPR in the FA Cup third round on Saturday.

A week on Sunday they head to Cardiff for what will no doubt be a fiercely contested South Wales derby.