Lightening Fails To Strike Twice For Swansea

by Matthew Thomas

Swansea City could not recreate their FA Cup heroics after losing 2-0 at Manchester United.

Second-half goals from Antonio Valencia and Danny Welbeck helped United gain revenge for their defeat at the hands of the Swans last week.

In the early stages, it was hard to believe that Swansea were the away side as they settled nicely into the game, denying the champions any decent spells of possession. And it was Jonjo Shelvey who was first to chance his arm, David De Gea had to react to hold his shot after good play by Wayne Routledge.

That seemed to spark United into life and Nemanja Vidic fired over from yards out and then Adnan Januzaj saw his 20 yard free-kick rattled the crossbar.

Swansea, lacking numbers in midfield due to an injury crisis, were in trouble again after just seventeen minutes when Jose Canas was forced off with injury. His replacement, Chico Flores, meant Jordi Amat had to fill in alongside Leon Britton.

Danny Welbeck should have given the host the lead when he shot wide from just inside the area, after brilliant interplay between Valencia and Rafael.

It was a brighter end to the half for Swansea as Shelvey and Pozuelo found themselves in decent positions but scuffing their efforts wide, as the half ended goalless.

Only three minutes after the restart and the Premier League champions were in front. After Williams failed to deal with a Januzaj cross, Tremmel could only parry Rafael’s header to Valencia who converted from six-yards out.

United only took twelve minutes to double their lead through Welbeck. The outstanding Januzaj was at the heart of the action as his cross fell to Evra, who’s cross come shot was guided in by the English forward.

Pozuelo then went closest for Swansea, sending his rasping right footed shot just inches wide of the post.

Moments later, David Moyes’ side should have added a third as Smalling failed to find the target from six yards.

After Amat had headed tamely into De Gea’s hands the resulting counter attack should have resulted in another goal for United. Januzaj’s pass sent Rafael clear to set up Shinji Kagawa but Leon Britton got back to clear off the line.

It was a comfortable end to the match for Manchester United as they gained a valuable three points. The result leaves Swansea in thirteenth and only three points clear of the drop zone.