Swift swans shock chelsea
11 Jan 2013 12:46 AM GMT
Swansea produced the second surprise English League Cup semifinal first leg result in as many days after defeating Chelsea 2-0 at the European champions’ Stamford Bridge ground on Wednesday.
If not as great an upset as fourth-tier Bradford City’s 3-1 win over Premier League Aston Villa on Tuesday, Swansea’s victory over their top flight rivals was still a surprise. Both Swansea goals came as a result of two errors by Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic.
In-form striker Spanish striker Michu, signed for just £2 million ($1.23 million, 1.59 million euros) from La Liga side Rayo Vallecano, scored his 16th goal of the season in the 39th minute with a curling shot from the edge of the box after Ivanovic miscontrolled the ball.
Leaving out Demba Ba and Frank Lampard was a questionable affair as Chelsea boss Rafael Benitez brought Lampard and Ba off the bench in search of an equaliser but none came.
And in stoppage time, shortly after Ba had had a penalty appeal turned down on his home debut, Swansea’s Danny Graham scored for the fourth match in a row after another Ivanovic mistake.
Chelsea shared most posession and had a fair amount of chances but failed to strike.
Now Welsh side Swansea, managed by Denmark great Michael Laudrup, will look to seal the tie in the second leg at the Liberty Stadium on January 23 with the prospect of an improbable final against Bradford in their sights.
BENITEZ RUES MISSED CHANCES
Chelsea were booed off after losing 2-0 at home to Swansea City in a League Cup semifinal first leg on Wednesday but interim manager Rafael Benitez said he was satisfied with their overall display. Chelsea had the lion’s share of possession at Stamford Bridge and were the victims of a classic smash-and-grab raid from Swansea who scored twice through and substitute Danny Graham. ‘The team was doing really well,’ Benitez said. ‘We had a lot of chances and could have scored two or three in the first half, one or two in the second. ‘We made two mistakes and paid for them. ‘If we played this game 10 times maybe we would win nine of them,’ the Spaniard added. ‘We had 23 attempts (on goal), we were doing a lot of good things but in football you have to take your chances.’
If not as great an upset as fourth-tier Bradford City’s 3-1 win over Premier League Aston Villa on Tuesday, Swansea’s victory over their top flight rivals was still a surprise. Both Swansea goals came as a result of two errors by Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic.
In-form striker Spanish striker Michu, signed for just £2 million ($1.23 million, 1.59 million euros) from La Liga side Rayo Vallecano, scored his 16th goal of the season in the 39th minute with a curling shot from the edge of the box after Ivanovic miscontrolled the ball.
Leaving out Demba Ba and Frank Lampard was a questionable affair as Chelsea boss Rafael Benitez brought Lampard and Ba off the bench in search of an equaliser but none came.
And in stoppage time, shortly after Ba had had a penalty appeal turned down on his home debut, Swansea’s Danny Graham scored for the fourth match in a row after another Ivanovic mistake.
Chelsea shared most posession and had a fair amount of chances but failed to strike.
Now Welsh side Swansea, managed by Denmark great Michael Laudrup, will look to seal the tie in the second leg at the Liberty Stadium on January 23 with the prospect of an improbable final against Bradford in their sights.
BENITEZ RUES MISSED CHANCES
Chelsea were booed off after losing 2-0 at home to Swansea City in a League Cup semifinal first leg on Wednesday but interim manager Rafael Benitez said he was satisfied with their overall display. Chelsea had the lion’s share of possession at Stamford Bridge and were the victims of a classic smash-and-grab raid from Swansea who scored twice through and substitute Danny Graham. ‘The team was doing really well,’ Benitez said. ‘We had a lot of chances and could have scored two or three in the first half, one or two in the second. ‘We made two mistakes and paid for them. ‘If we played this game 10 times maybe we would win nine of them,’ the Spaniard added. ‘We had 23 attempts (on goal), we were doing a lot of good things but in football you have to take your chances.’
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