Match Report

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Swans gained a fantastic victory over Premiership side Hull City to go through to the 3rd round of the Carling Cup. After being one down at half time, Gorka Pintado’s introduction and equaliser got Swans back into the game and a Jordi Gomez penalty in extra time sealed the win for the Swans.

As expected Roberto Martinez made huge changes to his starting line up from Saturday with only Dorus de Vries, Marcos Painter and Garry Monk retaining their places. Hull’s manager Phil Brown trumped that by making eleven changes. He included three hugely experienced players in Dean Windass, Nick Barmby and ex Wrexham and Wales International Brian Hughes.

Side- de Vries, Collins, Monk, Serran, Painter, McDonald, Jones, Allen, Orlandi, Gomez, Bauza. Subs- Rangel, Lawrence, O’Leary, Tate, Gower, Brandy, Pintado.

The game started at a furious pace with both sides looking to play an attacking passing game. It was soon evident that Phil Brown had done his homework and decided the best way to stop Swansea’s passing game was to close any player in possession down as quickly as possible. This included full and centre backs and Swans were often forced to play the ball back to Dorus de Vries to thump the ball high up field.

Swans had a couple of early scares with Dorus de Vries coming for a corner, that despite being under no pressure, he managed to miss altogether and Joe Allen giving away possession just outside the box.

On 11 minutes Hull took the lead with a terrific goal. Nick Barmby showed his class with a great ball from midfield that deceived the Swans defence. Caleb Folan dummied, allowing the ball through to veteran striker Dean Windass. He controlled the pass, faked to shot with his right, drawing Garry Monk into a challenge, before cutting onto his left foot and firing low into the corner of the net past Dorus de Vries.

Hull’s constant harrying of the Swans defence when they were in possession almost brought dividends when Nick Barmby intercepted Dorus de Vries’ throw out of defence. His low cross needed a last ditch clearance by Garry Monk to prevent Hull extending their lead.

Swans were restricted to long range shots but referee Mr Russell could have viewed one incident involving Guillem Bauza differently. He chose to penalise the Spaniard for pushing when he could justifiably awarded a penalty against Hull keeper Matt Duke that would certainly have warranted a red card.

Hull were good value for their 1-0 lead but it was hard to believe they could keep up their high tempo game for the next 45 minutes.

After only eight minutes of the second half Roberto Martinez made the double substitution that was to turn the course of the game. Gorka Pintado and Angel Rangel replaced Joe Allen and Matty Collins and Swans switched to 4-4-2.

Within a minute of coming on Gorka Pintado got down the right wing and just evaded an appalling challenge from centre half Wayne Brown. He got to the by line and rolled the ball into the path of Guillem Bauza who showed very little composure, blasting over from just 8 yards out.
Pintado almost equalised when he met an Andrea Orlandi corner with a bicycle kick volley that Matt Duke somehow managed to turn around the post.

The game was now end to end and Hull had a great chance to extend their lead through Ryan France. His powerful shot needed a full length save from Dorus de Vries to keep Swansea in the game.

Gorka Pintado was somehow denied again with a bullet header, again from a corner, that was cleared off the line by the full back with the keeper beaten. It seemed the Spanish striker’s luck was not in, but he finally got on the score sheet in the next attack. Andrea Orlandi floated a free kick into the area and Pintado got the deftest of touches to send the ball into the corner of the net. It was a real striker’s goal and reward enough for 12 minutes of sheer brilliance from the striker.

The substitutions really had turned the game on its head and Hull were now very much on the back foot as Swans launched attack after attack. Guillem Bauza came close to putting Swans ahead and Ryan France had another chance to score but this time he fired across the face of the goal.

With 10 minutes to go Febian Brandy replaced the hard working Guillem Bauza.

Five minutes from the end and Gorka Pintado picked the ball up 45 yards from goal. The Hull midfield sat back and invited the striker forward. He needed no such invitation and made a strong run before unleashing a shot from 20 yards that beat Duke all ends up and thudded against the post and rebounded to safety.

Pintado caused more panic in the Hull box with some clever footwork and created a real chance for Febian Brandy but Duke was off his line quickly to block his shot.

As the game went into the first of the three minutes of injury time a terrific move involving Jordi Gomez. Gorka Pintado, Shaun McDonald and Angel Rangel ended with Febian Brandy bursting into the box and having his legs taken from under him. Referee Mr Russell had no hesitation in awarding the penalty. Gorka Pintado, who it seems could do no wrong, took the spot kick but Matt Duke made an excellent save to deny him.

There was still time for another close call on the Hull goal with Jordi Gomez shaving the post with a low drive.

Hull also had a chance in the very last minute which again fell to Ryan France but he fired over from 10 yards with just Dorus to beat.

At the end of 90 minutes there were some tired bodies out on the pitch. Both sides were packed with players that were not featuring in the early season League action and fatigue was bound to set in in extra time.

The first period of extra time saw the pace of the game finally slow down and chances were few and far between. With just one minute of the first period of extra time left Swans were awarded a second penalty. After a thrilling Swans move Jordi Gomez chipped the ball into the box and found Shaun McDonald who had made a terrific run. He controlled the ball brilliantly and was immediately brought down by a rash challenge. This time Jordi Gomez stepped up and sent Duke the wrong way with a well struck penalty.

Swans only had one real scare in the second period of extra time when substitute Marlon King had a free header form 10 yards but thankfully he headed over the bar.

There were terrific scenes at the end and Roberto will have a real dilemma on his hands after the performance of Gorka Pintado. Does he drop his top scorer to accommodate the Spaniard or switch to 4-4-2 to bring him in. The third option of course is to keep him on the bench but that seems the least likely after such an outstanding display.

Ratings-

De Vries 7 – A couple of hairy moments early on but grew in confidence as the game wore on.

Collins 6 – Did OK but with Angel Rangel back at his best his chances will be limited.
Monk 8 – Masterstroke by Roberto to play his captain tonight.
Serran 6 – Looks so accomplished for 90 % of the game but prone to some stupid errors.
Painter 7 – Looked to be hobbling late in the first half but battled through and still supporting down the left wing in the 120th minute.

McDonald 8 – Looked like a ginger version of Darren Pratley he did that much running. Is starting to look like the real deal.
Allen 6 – Never really got into the game.
Jones 6 – Battled all the way through but some way off pressuring Prats, Britton and Bodde for a midfield berth at the moment.
Orlandi 8 – Got better and better as the game went on and was tormenting the Hull full back by the end.

Gomez 8 – Must wonder what he has to do to get a League start, but who do you drop?

Bauza 7 – Does so much hard work but lacked composure when he needed it.

Subs-

Rangel 8 – Bringing on a full back as substitute rarely changes a game but he made a huge difference to us as an attacking and defending unit.
Pintado 9 – Had everything tonight. Is he the next Swans City legend?
Brandy 7 – Earned a penalty and worked hard.

Swansea manager Roberto Martinez:

"In the first half Hull City showed why they are a Premier League side.

"Probably, we gave too much respect and were a bit cagey and we paid the price.

"The reaction we had in the second half was very pleasing, we controlled the game against the Premier League side which shows you everything.

"Gorka Pintado could have had a hat-trick and I thought it was a fantastic night of football."

Hull manager Phil Brown:

"Fair play to Swansea, they played some magnificent football.

"We were looking in the first half like we were an organized team. In the second half, that organization went out of the window. "We lost our shape and discipline which was very uncharacteristic of us.

"Swansea got hold of the ball and the game and they went on to win deservedly."

Swansea: De Vries, Painter, Monk, Collins (Rangel 55), Serran, Orlandi, Gomez, Tudur-Jones, MacDonald, Allen (Pintado 54), Bauza (Brandy 81).
Subs Not Used: O'Leary, Tate, Gower, Lawrence.

Booked: Bauza.

Goals: Pintado 63, Gomez 105 pen.

Hull: Duke, Brown, Mendy, Doyle, Cooper (Turner 91), Barmby (Featherstone 72), Hughes, France, Halmosi, Folan, Windass (King 62).
Subs Not Used: Atkinson, Garcia, Welsh, Warner.

Booked: Brown, Mendy, Halmosi.

Goals: Windass 11.

Att: 8,622.

Ref: Mike Russell (Hertfordshire).

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