Match Report

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Swansea City v Brighton

Swans welcomed Brighton to the Liberty for the 1.30 kick off. Brighton lay in 12th place in the League table prior to kick off but the away record this season has been poor with no points and just a single goal on their travels. So Roberto Martinez would have been expecting a win, however, injuries have once more taken their toll.

Warren Feeney got his first start for the injured Darryl Duffy and Andrea Orlandi also got his first start on the left of midfield ahead of Paul Anderson.

Side- De Vries, Rangel, Monk, Lawrence, Painter, Butler, Pratley, Bodde, Orlandi, Feeney, Scotland.
Subs - Knight, Austin, O'Leary, Anderson, Bauza.

In the first minute Warren Feeney had a great chance after gambling on a run and being rewarded when a Brighton defender totally missed the ball putting Feeney through. However, he lost control and was lucky not to be booked for diving with no defender near him and the ball running out of play.

Swans had another chance a minute or so later when Brighton keeper Michel Kuipers handled the ball just outside in a central position. Ferrie Bodde fired his free kick straight into the wall.

Swans early chances soon dried up as Brighton started to get the upper hand and they should have taken the lead on 10 minutes. A cross from the right took a wicked deflection and Dorus De Vries made a terrific save but could only push the ball out into the path of George O'Callaghan. With the goal at his mercy and De Vries lying in the goalmouth, O'Callaghan thumped a shot straight into De Vries and the ball ballooned over the bar off De Vries's knee.

The Swans defence after one let off hadn't learnt their lesson and panic all too often was setting in.

Swans were lacking any understanding going forward and both Scotland and Feeney were guilty of not making runs to create space.

The game disintegrated into a very poor affair with Brighton creating the only chances. O'Callaghan went close again with an excellent chip that De Vries did well to claw over his bar.

Swans were probably lucky to go in at half time at 0-0 and Brighton's keeper had had virtually nothing to do after the first couple of minutes.

Swans started the second half looking more lively and Butler and Orlandi finally began to take defenders on.

With their first attack of the second half however, Brighton almost scored when a cross from Dean Hammond deceived Dorus De Vries and came back off the post. Swans went straight back down the other end and won a free kick on the edge of the box when Warren Feeney was brought down. Jason Scotland fired his free kick goal ward but it was blocked by a defender.

On 55 minutes Ferre Bodde picked up a dreadful clearance and with just one touch to control the ball he fired a terrific right foot shot that beat Kuipers all ends up but came back off the post.

Jason Scotland had a goal bound shot blocked by a defender but from there Swans produced very little. Warren Feeney made way for Paul Anderson just after the hour mark and he had one effort after a knock down from Jason Scotland but he was stretching to reach the ball and Kuipers saved easily.

Guillem Bauza replaced Andrea Orlandi in the last couple of minutes but it was Brighton that finished the stronger hitting the bar again in injury time.

So any dropped two points at home and another lack lustre performance.

Ratings -

De Vries 7 - Decent game but lucky to be saved by the woodwork twice.

Rangel 8 - Excellent going forward.
Monk 7 - Tidy enough game.
Lawrence 5- One moment highlighted Dennis's current form. With the ball bouncing around in our area he was closest to the ball but chose to leave the ball to Angel Rangel, who also decided to leave the ball. A centre half needs to take responsibility and clear danger.
Painter 6- Nothing like at his best.

Orlandi 6 - Has beautiful balance and touch but really looked a little lightweight today and will need to toughen up if he is to shine in British football.
Pratley 5 - Another a long way off his best.
Bodde 7 - Bossed the midfield but those in front failed to make runs for him.
Butler 6 - Poor first half but caused Brighton headaches in the second half.

Feeney 5 - Not sure what Roberto sees in him. Not the tallest, not the quickest and not the greatest control.
Scotland 5 - Really missed the runs of Duffy creating space for him.

Subs-
Anderson 6 - Played out of position but did OK.
Bauza - Only on a few minutes.

Pics By Dai Smith

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