Planet Swans ArchivesSwansea’s unbeaten home Premier League record was taken by the Champions but again the Swans can come out with their heads held high
REPORT – WALES ON SUNDAY
IT says something about Swansea City right now that Sir Alex Ferguson was left delighted at sneaking a victory at the Liberty Stadium.
But the fact is – and why he and his Manchester United side are champions – it was still a victory.
The Swans, newcomers to this division and the bookies’ choice for the drop, had United on the ropes in a pulsating second half that showcased everything good about Brendan Rodgers’ team.
Because the story of this game surrounded two chances – one that United took, one that Swansea didn’t.
You would have banked all of the money in Wales on Scott Sinclair to have buried a 23rd-minute open goal. He didn’t.
And with Man Utd having already found themselves in the lead when Javier Hernandez accepted Angel Rangel’s gift of a goal 11 minutes in, there was no way back.
Ultimately it was as simple as that, as Rodgers agreed after the game that ended the Swans’ unbeaten home stretch in the top flight.
Having stood off their red-shirted opponents in the first half, they passed their way around them in the second and lit up the Liberty like they know they can.
But while Swansea were in control but not in the lead, United squeezed their way to a first ever win on Swansea turf – but it wasn’t pretty or as convincing as you would expect of Europe’s best.
And if the players cared little about Swansea’s resurgence, knowing the points were theirs, Ferguson cared less.
Rodgers will care about dropping points at home, regardless of the top-class opposition.
He can take great credit that Swansea have progressed again – putting a worrying first half to one side to improve after the break.
It was that first 45 that was their undoing.
Swansea were always going to need the first 20 minutes to go their way, to settle into their rhythm and click into their trusted Liberty routine.
And on first impressions it seemed as if they were going to manage it.
Spurred on by an incredible atmosphere and the belief dripping down from the stands, Rodgers’ men looked alert and eager to get at United.
When the visitors did take control of the ball, Swansea were quick to win it back and even quicker to counter through the again excellent Nathan Dyer and a vibrant Sinclair.
But as the clock ticked, so United became more and more aware of Swansea’s decision to sit deep and pressurised accordingly.
Pinned back, the first mistake was the costliest as Rangel failed to find Britton with a pass outside his own area, Giggs pounced and Herndandez hugged the offside line to poke home with 11 minutes gone.
Swansea were startled, unable to play their way out as the work-rate of the champions shone. Every time the Swans back four looked to play the pass, two red shirts would close down the space forcing the hosts to go long.
And it goes without saying that such a ploy is not really part of the Swansea repertoire.
When Swansea weren’t being hassled they were being hasty with their passes, almost too aware of the need to make more of the ball time they were getting.
Swansea, though, did still have the counter attack in their armoury. Sinclair was using every possible opportunity to run at Jones, while Dyer was showing scant regard for Patrice Evra’s reputation as one of the best full-backs around.
Yet, when the big chance came on 22 minutes, it was wasted.
With Britton bringing a sense of calmness and control and demanding Swansea return to the short pass, they sprang with Wayne Routledge – in for fitness doubt Joe Allen – freeing Danny Graham and his touch putting the flier in.
And while his weak shot was mis-hit, it fell perfectly into the path of Sinclair – only for last year’s top scorer to fluff his lines and fail to connect.
It set up United for another bout of ball retention, Giggs and Michael Carrick setting the tone from deep and the breathtaking runs of Rooney causing the expected problems.
And Fergie’s men should have killed the game off in first-half injury time when a sublime Rooney touch took him away from two white shirts, playing in Hernandez with Michel Vorm rooted – only to miscue the return ball.
It was the opening Swansea needed, Rodgers introducing calf-worry Allen and ordering his men to move up the field to try and shake off any inevitability from the proceedings.
That it did. Allen immediately involved as he set up Sinclair for a shot David de Gea had to save well at his near post before Nemanja Vidic’s textbook defensive header stopped Graham reaching Gower’s excellent cross soon after. And, with confidence restored, so came the passes and the purpose about Swansea.
It was now United’s turn to be pegged back and pinned in, reliant on counters, long shots and an increasing directness about their play.
With the booked Evra off and Fabio on, Dyer was still as tormenting and as the pressure built there were more avenues for Sinclair to attack.
And with one delightful spin that left Rooney dizzy it looked like Swansea were going to get their break, Ashley Williams almost profiting on the edge of the box before pal Rio Ferdinand deflected.
But while Swansea didn’t stop trying, they did run out of ideas and finally steam as United began to waste time and kill the game.
They did have a final chance in the final moments as Phil Jones hit the post, but that would have skewed the result further.
Besides, the champions had taken the one chance that mattered.
