Planet Swans ArchivesOn loan from Portsmouth’s arch rivals Southampton, Swansea’s latest acquisition Nathan Dyer certainly was in no mood to let the hostile reaction from the Fratton Park faithful get to him. Latching onto a Jason Scotland through-ball the 21 year old coolly slotted the ball past David James in the Pompy goal to send the Swans into a deserved 1-0 lead.
Dominating the premier league side, the Hampshire side’s only meaningful attempt on goal came trough England international Peter Crouch but the towering striker’s shot failed to really trouble Dimi Konstantopoulos as the Greek shot-stopper was equal to his shot.
With the Fratton Park faithful rocked by Dyer’s strike earlier in the half, Swansea did not let up and just before half time Algerian defender Nadir Belhadj brought down Jordi Gomez in the box and referee Andre Marriner without hesitation pointed to the spot. Continuing his rich vein of scoring form Scotland stepped up and slotted the ball past James to make it 2-0 to the visitors.
Half Time Score: Portsmouth 0-2 Swansea City
After the break Portsmouth started the brighter and put pressure on the Swansea defence and were unlucky not to put themselves back into the game after Crouch forced a fine save from Konstantopoulos. However it would be the 30 year old keeper that would cause Swans hearts to skip a beat after spilling the ball but Nigerian striker Nwankwo Kanu could not punish the mistake.
It would be a post that was to come to Swansea’s rescue after Jermaine Pennant’s 73rd minute corner found Peter Crouch in the box but the strikers header blazed off of the woodwork much to the relief of the sizable travelling Jack Army.
Gomez nearly put the game beyond doubt but his shot was saved by an imposing James in the pompy goal. Called into action again, Konstantopoulos produced another fine save to deny Pennant on loan from Liverpool.
Portsmouth simply had no answer to the persistent and resilient Swans as the Liberty Stadium club march on into the fifth round.
Full Time Score: Portsmouth 0-2 Swansea City
