Ten years on – Chelsea no match for the Swansea train

Thursday, 23 February 2023, 7:00
3 mins read

Ten years ago this week the Swans won their first – and to date only – major trophy when they lifted the Capital One Cup at Wembley following a 5-0 win over Bradford City.  All this week we will take a trip back down memory lane with a look at the road to that trophy which started back in August 2012 – six months before the majestical final day.

When the semi final draw was made it was certainly assumed that Chelsea would be heading towards a League Cup final as the Swans hoped for a first major final appearance but the Champions of Europe stood in their way over a two legged semi final.

However, Michael Laudrup, Michu, Danny Graham and a certain ball boy had different ideas.

First Leg report – BBC Sport

Swansea won at Chelsea for the first time in 87 years to head into the Capital One Cup semi-final second leg with a precious two-goal advantage.

The hosts dominated in the first half but an error from defender Branislav Ivanovic allowed Michu to curl home.

The home side continued to press but Ivanovic was again at fault in stoppage time when Danny Graham seized on his poor backpass to seal the win.

Demba Ba thought he had snatched a late goal only for it to be ruled offside.

The win puts Swansea firmly in command heading into the second leg at the Liberty Stadium on 23 January as they look to end a 100-year wait for a first major trophy.

Chelsea, though, were the architects of their own downfall.

They enjoyed plenty of possession throughout the encounter but were let down by poor decision-making in the final third.

The home side spent the initial exchanges patiently passing the ball around as they probed for potential openings in the Swansea backline.

They were nearly rewarded in the 11th minute when Oscar and Eden Hazard combined to unlock the Swansea defence and present Ramires with a chance on goal, but the midfielder’s toe-poked effort lacked power and was comfortably saved by keeper Gerhard Tremmel.

That early chance was not a sign of things to come, however, as play once again settled into a pedestrian pace, although Chelsea continued to dominate.

The home side did not trouble Tremmel again until the 26th minute when Hazard surged into the Swansea area before squaring a pass for the unmarked Juan Mata, but the Spaniard’s low shot was gratefully scooped up by Tremmel.

By now Chelsea were looking a confident side and Mata almost made amends for failing to make the most of that opportunity minutes later when he raced onto Oscar’s smart back-heel but his shot trickled agonisingly wide of the far post.

It seemed only a matter of time before Chelsea would take the lead but poor defending instead saw Swansea snatch the opener six minutes before the break.

Ivanovic dithered with the ball just outside his own area and Jonathan de Guzman took full advantage, stealing possession before immediately passing to Michu and the in-form striker’s curled effort flew beyond Ross Turnbull, taking his total for the season to 16.

Michu was clearly a player brimming with confidence and he attempted an audacious overhead kick early in the second half, but the ball sailed harmlessly over Turnbull’s goal.

Tremmel maintained his side’s slender advantage just before the hour when Hazard rolled the ball across the edge of the area for Luiz but his well-struck effort was kept out by the Swansea keeper.

The visitors were clearly content to try and protect their lead, much to the frustration of the home side, who continued to try and carve out an opening.

Frank Lampard replaced Ramires with 20 minutes remaining, before Ba was introduced 10 minutes later, replacing Fernando Torres as Chelsea interim manager Rafael Benitez looked to reinvigorate his attack.

Ba quickly made his presence known and felt he should have had a penalty as the game entered stoppage time after clashing with Tremmel when challenging for possession, but instead he was booked for diving.

Any hopes of Chelsea snatching an equaliser were ended shortly after as Ivanovic’s poor backpass allowed substitute Graham to run in, round the keeper and fire into the empty net.

Chelsea thought they had snatched what would have been a potentially important late goal when Ba powered a shot into the net from Lampard’s knock on, but the striker had strayed just offside.

Do you want the latest news from JackArmy.net direct to your phone? Then subscribe to our Telegram channel here
Images courtesy of Getty Images, Athena Picture Agency and Swansea City Football Club.

Phil Sumbler

Been watching the Swans since the very late 1970s and running the Planet Swans website (in all its current and previous guises since the summer of 2001 As it stood JackArmy.net was right at the forefront of some of the activity against Tony Petty back in 2001, breaking many of the stories of the day as fans stood against the actions where the local media failed. Was involved with the Swans Supporters Trust from 2005, for the large part as Chairman before standing down in the summer of 2020.

League Table

Next Up

Forum Latest

Threads: 20,392

Messages: 278,258

Members: 4,711

Latest member: Cyntmitch

Next Up

League Table

Last 6 Results

Latest from Blog

Swans TV: Goal of the Month | December 2024-25

. . . For more information, as well as all the latest Swansea City AFC news, log onto the club's official website at http://www.swanseacity.com Subscribe on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/SWANSPLAYER Like us on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/SwanseaCityFC Follow us on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/swansofficial Follow us on Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/swansofficial Swansea City Association Football Club is a…

Swansea City: Will Swans match Wycombe demands for Low?

The name of Joe Low is attracting much interest already this January and we are only just over five days into the month.   We know the Swans have made a bid and are expected to put another one on the table whilst it was reported yesterday evening that Plymouth Argyle…

Swans TV: Joe Allen on West Bromwich Albion | Reaction

. . . Joe Allen talks to SwansTV following yesterdays 1-1 draw against West Bromwich Albion at the Swansea.com stadium. For more information, as well as all the latest Swansea City AFC news, log onto the club's official website at http://www.swanseacity.com Subscribe on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/SWANSPLAYER Like us on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/SwanseaCityFC…

Birmingham and Bristol City showing Darling interest?

Birmingham City and Bristol City are both being credited with having interest in Swans defender Harry Darling after the Swans admitted that contract talks with the defender were likely being shelved until the end of the season. The Swans had been hoping to tie up a contract for Darling in…

Don't Miss

Chelsea midfielder linked with Swans move

Reports this morning are suggesting that Chelsea midfielder Tino Anjorin

Swansea City latest: Swans and Leeds United in for Chelsea defender?

The transfer window may not yet open until 14th June