Match Report

Swans produced another classy display and a seventh straight home League win to extend their lead at the top of League Division One to eight points.

After another emphatic win on Saturday, Roberto Martinez's message would undoubtedly have been not to assume another win would just happen. With some difficult away games ahead tonight represented a chance to give ourselves some breathing space.

With games coming thick and fast, Roberto Martinez once more took the opportunity to ring the changes. Alan Tate made way for Dennis Lawrence, Paul Anderson made way for Andy Robinson (with Tom Butler moving across to the right) and Guillem Bauza replaced Jason Scotland.

Crewe included the dangerous Nicky Maynard but new signing and ex Cardiff Stuart Fleetwood thankfully didn't feature.

Crewe came with a reputation for playing football and it is to their credit that despite languishing in 19th place they have an excellent disciplinary record with just 13 yellow cards this season, only three more than Darren Pratley!

Side- De Vries, Rangel, Monk, Lawrence, Painter, Butler, Britton, Bodde, Pratley, Robinson, Bauza. Subs- O'Leary, Tate, Anderson, Scotland, Brandy.

The opening minutes confirmed Crewe had come to play football but it was the Swans who started the better. The midfield battle seemed to be going Swansea's way but there wasn't the fluidity seen against Port Vale at the weekend.

On 13 minutes Swans took the lead and for once it was a scrappy goal. Andy Robinson cut in from the left and crossed low and hard. The ball came out from Guillem Bauza to Tom Butler who didn't seem to hit his shot cleanly but it was on target. It seemed to take at least one deflection before crossing the line. It was Butler's first goal since New Years Day and Bet365's odds of 25/1 for first goal scorer looked even more generous now.

One of the great things about watching the Swans these days is when they go 1-0 up, instead of sitting back, they react as if they are 1-0 down. Once more the goal saw Swans up the tempo and go up a gear.

Guillem Bauza went close to extending the lead with a great left foot shot that Crewe keeper Ben Williams just managed to turn around the post. Bauza got his head to the resultant corner which was cleared off the line by Dan Woodards.

Garry Monk missed a great chance with a free header from a corner and a few minutes later had another free header that was this time cleared off the line by Chris McCready.

The midfield trio of Leon Britton, Darren Pratley and Ferrie Bodde had the game by the scruff of the neck and Crewe it seemed had no answer.

Angel Rangel got on the end of one brilliant move involving six Swans players but his touch at the end just let him down.

Swans almost gifted Crewe a goal when Dennis Lawrence left a clearance to Marcos Painter. The Swans left back in trying to hack the ball clear with his right foot screwed the ball straight to Nicky Maynard and his snapshot fired just wide of the post.

Garry Monk had yet another chance with a header from a corner and with the ball going wide, Guillem Bauza got his head to it but couldn't quite get the ball inside the post.

Once more Swans went in at half time in front but how it wasn't more than 1-0 was hard to believe.

After a quiet 4 or 5 minutes at the start of the second half, Swans once more went up a gear. Andy Robinson had a shot well saved by Williams and from the resultant corner Dennis Lawrence was left unmarked and his bullet header was just inches over the bar.

Ferrie Bodde went close with a shot that was deflected over the bar and Andy Robinson also went close again. Even Leon Britton had an effort just wide but not from a shot but a block on a defenders clearance.

Just past the hour Paul Anderson replaced Tom Butler.

With just a one goal lead it was inevitable some nerves would start to show amongst the crowd and players. There was a hairy moment or two but still 80% or so of the play seemed to be in the Crewe half.

Dennis Lawrence had another free header from a corner but this time he headed well over the bar.

On 72 minutes Jason Scotland replaced Guillem Bauza.

Swans were forcing corner after corner but the constant pressure incredibly still hadn't produced the second goal.

Then on 77 minutes Leon Britton broke up a rare Crewe attack just outside the Swansea area. With men committed forward there were gaps at the back which Darren Pratley cruelly exposed with a terrific through ball for Paul Anderson to chase. Anderson outstripped the left back and as he burst in the area and with the centre half trying to close him down he fired a right foot shot past Williams to ease any worries.

Febian Brandy came on for Andy Robinson but the Swans had seemed to visibly relax. It pretty much looked job done but there was to be one last scare.

With the game well into injury time Swans switched off at the back and Tom Pipe received a cross from the left and bundled the ball past Dorus de Vries.

Everyone expected this to be the last kick of the game but referee Mr Woolmer played on and Nicky Maynard had a half chance 30 seconds later but failed to control a ball played into him in the box.

So another emphatic win in which the score line in no way showed Swans dominance. Surely sooner or later we are going to start burying some of the chances. But there's only three points for a win no matter how many you score and when you are eight points clear somehow goal difference doesn't seem to matter that much.

Ratings-

De Vries 7 – Will be annoyed with his defenders for switching off and denying him a clean sheet.

Rangel 8 – Superb going forward. Often up against Maynard and usually came out on top.
Monk 7 – Good in defence but about as composed as Leon in front of goal.
Lawrence 7 – Looked refreshed from his day off but another who has had goal scoring lessons off Leon.
Painter 6 – Looked all at sea a couple of times in the first half.

Butler 6 – Nice goal but not the threat he can be.
Britton 8 – Superb again.
Pratley 8 – Ran the game.
Violet Elizabeth Boddde 8 – Very, very good.
Robinson 7 – Quiet start but played his part.


Bauza 7 – Never stopped running.

Subs-

Anderson 8 – Another great goal.
Scotland 7 – Showed plenty of strength and commitment.
Brandy 6 – One lovely touch but I'm sure we're still to see the best of him.

Swansea: De Vries, Painter, Lawrence, Monk, Rangel, Bodde, Britton, Pratley, Robinson (Brandy 81), Butler (Anderson 63), Bauza (Scotland 73).
Subs Not Used: O'Leary, Tate.

Goals: Butler 14, Anderson 77.

Crewe: Williams, Woodards, Baudet, McCready, Boyle, Roberts (Schumacher 87), O'Connor (Cox 87), Rix, Miller (Lowe 79), Pope, Maynard.
Subs Not Used: O'Donnell, Abbey.

Booked: Schumacher.

Goals: Pope 90.

Att: 11,200

Ref: Andy Woolmer (Northamptonshire).

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