West Bromwich Albion’s bandwagon didn’t just lose a wheel but suffered a complete malfunction at the Liberty Stadium where they were utterly out-classed by Swansea City. please log in to view this image Steve Clarke arrived in south Wales looking for West Brom’s fifth successive win in the top flight for the first time since 1979, but was left shell-shocked after watching his team systematically torn appart. Michael Laudrup’s Swansea found their inimitable rhythm as Wayne Routledge scored twice before half-time, after Michu’s early opener, to climb the table with a swagger, having now lost just one of their last eight league games. Few teams can match the Swansea possession game and West Brom’s players did not know what had hit them as they spent the first half chasing shadows. The passing was effortless as the hosts picked West Brom apart with ease. This time, however, Swansea also had a cutting edge to go with their glut of possession. Despite kicking off in ninth place, Swansea had been desperately slow starters this season having failed to score in the first half in any of their previous 10 league games. However Laudrup found a remedy by playing all three wide men, Pablo Hernandez, Routledge and Nathan Dyer, to devastating effect with two goals inside 11 minutes against one of the league’s most astute defences, Michu struck the post after 85 seconds after he was put through by a clever pass from Hernandez, but West Brom failed to heed the warning as the Spaniards combined just seven minutes later for the opening goal. Dyer’s cross was volleyed across the six-yard box by Hernandez for Michu to plunder his eighth league goal of the season. Laudrup had targeted Billy Jones as the weak link in Albion’s defence and having tasked the sumptuous skills of Hernandez to attack Liverpool’s Jordan Henderson at the weekend, the club’s record signing was given free rein. It swiftly paid dividends as Hernandez combined with Ben Davies on the left before bursting into the box. Routledge looked to have squandered the chance before poking his shot past Boaz Myhill. West Brom were reeling and their first attempt on goal did not arrive until the half hour mark, Peter Odemwingie pulling his speculative shot wide. However Swansea were insatiable and when Dyer picked out Hernandez with an arching pass, Davies fired in his cross and an unmarked Routledge thumped home his second on 39 minutes. Romelu Lukaku grabbed a goal seconds before the break to give West Brom some hope, but Swansea are now too wily to let slip such a position and finished the far stronger side. - MATT LLOYD/London Evening standard Man of the Match Hernandez. Match rating 7/10. Referee L Mason (Lancashire). Attendance 20,377.
I put it up because I thought it was quite a good read, and pretty fair assessment of the evening, which is not always the case from the media, anyway yes Dai their run was in the stars to end at the Liberty! I felt very sure pre match that we would bring them crashing down to earth.................
That was measly! The first half had to be 10/10 by any yardstick. True the second half wasn't as good but I would rate the game overall as a minimum 8+.
MATT LLOYD gave his rating of (Match) 7/10 as I see it, was a bit mean if you ask be, but there you are, his write up was very positive to us though, so what the hell!................
http://www.fileswap.com/dl/mEewBjvAMX/Swansea_City_vs._West_Brom_11-28-2012_1st_Half.flv.html For those unfortunate not to have been there
