Phil SumblerThe first ever derby at the Liberty Stadium and a night that will never be forgotten. The Liberty was rocking as Jordi Gomez scored the only goal of the game in the League Cup to write his name into South Wales derby folklore.
Swansea City 1 Cardiff City 0
23 September 2008
OH LORDY IT’S JORDI – THE PLANET SWANS MATCH REPORT
Gomez smashed home a free kick twelve minutes into the second half to give the Swans a deserved lead in a pulsating game at the Liberty.
The Swans were excellent value for the win having been in charge for a very large proportion of the game and the one goal scoreline probably flattered the visitors more than the home side.
To cap a miserable night for the Bluebirds they had Steve McPhail sent off 15 minutes from time for a second bookable offence as their hopes of a Carling Cup run to match their FA Cup run of last year faded in the Liberty night.
The best – by some distance – atmosphere the Liberty had seen was a credit to both clubs with the Swans end in full voice all around the stadium as they backed their side with a passion sadly lacking on too many occasions.
And on the pitch the Swans kept their heads whilst Cardiff – by their own admission – lost theirs with a clutch of bookings as well as the red card for McPhail.
Roberto had sprung possibly the first surprise of the evening with minimal changes and sent a line up out as follows
Dorus
Rangel Monk Williams Bessone
Britton Bodde Gomez
Gower Scotland Butler
Cardiff probably had the best of the early exchanges and could have taken the lead when McPhail headed over when well placed and Boothroyd also had a good chance early doors but that was as good as it got for them as Swansea gradually gained control of the midfield.
Leon Britton was his usual brilliant self and ably supported by the duo of Bodde and Gomez as the Swans took more and more control and could have taken the lead when Enckleman saved well from Gomez.
The Swans were now pressing strong and Gower, Butler and Scotland were combining with the terrific trio in midfield to cause Cardiff all sorts of dangers whilst Garry Monk was mopping up every long ball clearance as the bluebirds struggled to control the Swans attacks.
Half time came and went goalless and it started to seem as if it could be one goal that settled matters. And so it proved as Gomez fired in a free kick that deflected off Rae’s foot and gave Enckleman no chance and the Liberty rose in a wall of noise as the away end sat motionless.
Cardiff’s response was to take off Ledley – who was never in the game – and replace him with Whittingham but it made no difference to the pattern of play as the Swans attacks became more frequent and often more dangerous.
McPhail was warned in front of Darren Purse that he was on last chance saloon three minutes before he bought down Gomez and the second yellow meant a red and a long walk back in front of a hostile Liberty crowd. Bodde curled the free kick just wide but it made little difference as this was Swansea’s night – and most definitely so.
Injury time came and went and with it any chance Cardiff had of getting back into the game. Bragging rights were Swanseas together with the place in the last 16 of the Carling Cup.
And this was a sweet victory and one totally deserved on an excellent night for football at the Liberty.
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Roberto Martinez: “This was a huge game and I knew how much it meant for the supporters. They generated a phenomenal atmosphere which we don’t see in League games and they created an extra man for us on the pitch.
“Everyone played well for us in what was a magnificent derby match and the players, Welsh, English or Spanish, can be proud of what they achieved.
“Cardiff started better than us, but after the first 20 minutes, when we began to play the game, not the occasion, we were excellent.
“We need derbies like this and atmospheres like this to keep going and I’m delighted we have produced the performance and occasion we did in front of the TV cameras.”
Dave Jones: “We are all very disappointed. We let ourselves down.
“We didn’t play as well as we can do and Swansea deserved the victory.
“We made too many mistakes and it was our worst performance of the season, we lost our shape and discipline.
“We have no complaints, we should have been better, but we got carried away with the occasion. We spoke about not getting the crowd up but we did.”
