Phil Sumbler
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 have taken a trip down memory lane culminating in today as we look back at that February Sunday at Wembley.
Match Report – Planet Swans
This was an afternoon where the gulf between the Premier League and League Two looked everything like that description as the Swans maintained 78% possession throughout the game and in truth could have won by a more sizeable margin as their first ever major cup final turned into a procession that Bradford simply had no answer to.
From the moment the Bantams elected to hand the Swans the first touch of the ball by handing them the kick off it looked over as a contest as the Swans passed the ball around with ease exploiting every inch of space that they were given by Bradford.
However, it is only appropriate to make reference here to the Bradford support that was magnicifcent throughout the game as they enjoyed their day in the spotlight at Wembley earned through knocking out three Premier League sides – a feat that should not be forgotten no matter how easily they were beaten at the final hurdle.
Today though was not to be their day as the Swans dominated from start to finish to such an extent that it was the 87th minute before Bradford had their first shot on target ironically just two minutes after they earned their first corner to cheers from the support from Yorkshire. That shot was dealt with with such ease from Gerhard Tremmel who will have busier days in practice games than he did at Wembley.
But let’s take nothing away at any stage from the Swans and the hugely professional job that they did in picking up their first major piece of Silverware that will see them return to Europe next season in the Europa League in August.
All five goals were something special to watch as the Swans brand of football graced a Wembley final to great appreciation from pretty much everyone that was lucky enough to be in Wembley to enjoy it.
The first goal came from a speedy Swans break that saw Wayne Routledge break through the middle before feeding Michu. His shot was well palmed away by Duke but it was Nathan Dyer who was first to react and poke the ball into the back of the net to give the Swans the lead.
If the first was good the second was equally as strong as Ben fed Pablo and Pablo in turn fed Michu who got his shot away through the goalkeepers legs and into the corner of the net to give the Swans a two goal half time advantage that by that time already seemed enough although there was no doubt a few feeling slightly uneasy given the three goal lead on the last Wembley visit and what happened there.
But that was then and this was now as the Swans pretty much wrapped up the tournament three minutes into the second half with what was – for me – the goal of the game. Dyer passed to Michu who dummied for Routledge to play Dyer back in. The winger controlled turned and bent the ball into the corner of the goal to give the Swans a three goal lead that ensured the final became nothing more than an exhibition of football for the Swans.
Number four was as simple as it looked or at least the build up to the penalty was. Michu to Pablo to Nathan who backheeled to Michu who squared for De Guzman who rounded Duke only to be brought down by his outstretched leg. Simple decision for the referee was to award the first Swans penalty of the season and the red card that followed was unlucky for the keeper but probably the right decision given the laws of the game.
De Guzman himself picked up the ball but Nathan Dyer clearly had different ideas as he wanted the ball off De Guzman but the Dutchman was having none of it. De Guzman, Ash and then Michu all persuaded Dyer to move away from it and to try and calm down the midfielder and a perfect penalty from De Guzman made it four. Dyer made his way to celebrate with his team mate and the matter was put behind them although you always sensed that from that point the Swans would have given anything to give Nathan his hat trick before Laudrup took him off to the standing ovation he deserved.
Number five arrived in stoppage time as De Guzman steered home Rangel’s cross and the rout was over and Swansea were heading to the winner’s enclosure at Wembley.
The final whistle sounded soon after and the celebrations from the Black and White half of South Wales started. The League Cup was coming over the Severn Bridge for the first time and Swansea were celebrating their centenary season in style.
5-0 was a scoreline few would have dreamed of but the Swans had delivered in style on the biggest stage and it was a deserved victory as they celebrated in front of their supporters before returning to the important business of league action next weekend.
Roger Evans wrote about it in the 1970s but now his word’s ring true as once again all Europe will indeed hear the Swansea City sound.
Swansea City. Capital One Cup Winners 2013.
