Manchester United take the 3rd round exit at Old Trafford as late Bony winner sends them crashing out of the FA Cup.
Both Manchester United and Swansea had started the New Year with Premier League home losses. United's six-game unbeaten streak was ruined as they were beaten 2-1 by Spurs and the Swans lost a close tie 3-2 to Manchester City. Michael Laudrup's side were now hoping to take advantage of United's unusual dip in home form to progress to the next round of the FA Cup and win at Old Trafford for the first time in their history. Moyes and his men, on the other hand, were trying to mirror their success so far in the Capital One Cup, where they have reached the Semi Finals.
Both sides had a number of injuries ruling out key players with Wayne Rooney and Robin Van Persie both absent from United's strike force. Swansea striker Michu was out for the away side after having had an operation on his ankle, whilst their influential keeper Michel Vorm also missed out. Pablo Hernandez was the latest to be ruled out of the tie having pulled a hamstring in the New Year's Day defeat to City. United made several changes as Anders Lindegaard, Rio Ferdinand and Alex Buttner all got rare starts in the United defence. It was obvious that David Moyes wanted to keep one eye on their Capital One Cup Semi Final first leg against Sunderland on Tuesday.
The home side should have had a goal early on when Hernandez missed a chance after Welbeck and Kagawa had linked up well with a clever one-two. However, the Mexican was unable to break the deadlock and it was Swansea who then went on to take an early lead seconds later as Routledge showed the hosts how it's done with a superb finish. Bony dropped deep and knocked the ball back to Pozuelo, who had come into the team to replace Swansea's Hernandez. He then sent a precise long through ball that split open the defence and found the run of Routledge, who showed brilliant composure and skill to chip Lindegaard and put last season's Capital One Cup winners ahead in this FA Cup tie.
Swansea's travelling supporters were in their element and were surely confident of becoming the fifth team to beat United at Old Trafford this season. However, their lead didn't last long and within four minutes United made it back on terms as Hernandez showed he still has that predatory striker's touch that made him a favourite with the Old Trafford faithful. He had Buttner to thank for the goal though, as the Dutchman bombed down the left flank and presented the chance on a plate for him with a wonderful, curling cross. Hernandez needed no invitation as the ball dropped in front of him in the six-yard box and he volleyed it in from close range.
Swansea's travelling supporters were in their element and were surely confident of becoming the fifth team to beat United at Old Trafford this season. However, their lead didn't last long and within four minutes United made it back on terms as Hernandez showed he still has that predatory striker's touch that made him a favourite with the Old Trafford faithful. He had Buttner to thank for the goal though, as the Dutchman bombed down the left flank and presented the chance on a plate for him with a wonderful, curling cross. Hernandez needed no invitation as the ball dropped in front of him in the six-yard box and he volleyed it in from close range.
After the equaliser, United began to dominate and create chances, although they never really tested the Swansea keeper. In the 18th minute good play from Fletcher saw Smalling given the ball in space at the byline, allowing him to cross for Welbeck in the box. United's in-form striker had his back to goal but held the ball up well and laid it off for Valencia, who shot with the outside of his right foot but couldn't keep it down and sent the ball into the stands.
After half time chances for both sides were few and far between with United struggling to find an opening in the Swansea defence. Januzaj and Fabio were both brought on to replace Valencia and Ferdinand late on and although the former definitely injected some energy into United's wing-play, he was unable to create another goal for the hosts. He at least fared better than United's other substitute though, as Fabio was on the pitch all of four minutes before he was dismissed via a straight red card from referee Mike Dean.
It was a poor challenge from the Brazilian, in the middle of the pitch when there was no need for it. He went in for a challenge on Canas with his studs up and could have no complaints when he caught the player and was dismissed. United tried to hang on for a replay with ten men but Swansea knew that they had a great chance to score the winner and knock United out on their own turf. This is exactly what they did in the 90th minute as Bony, who had caused problems all night, scored with his head in front of the delirious Swansea support.
The scorer of Swansea's first, Routledge, supplied the cross in after he beat Fletcher with ease. Bony only had to jump and guide the ball in with his head as he was left unmarked, probably due to United having a man less. This meant that Swansea left Old Trafford after having secured their first victory there in their history but this fixture is repeated in the Premier League in just under a week's time and it will be interesting to see if Laudrup's men can achieve two wins at Old Trafford in a week or if United can find the right response to help them to a first win of 2014.
After half time chances for both sides were few and far between with United struggling to find an opening in the Swansea defence. Januzaj and Fabio were both brought on to replace Valencia and Ferdinand late on and although the former definitely injected some energy into United's wing-play, he was unable to create another goal for the hosts. He at least fared better than United's other substitute though, as Fabio was on the pitch all of four minutes before he was dismissed via a straight red card from referee Mike Dean.
It was a poor challenge from the Brazilian, in the middle of the pitch when there was no need for it. He went in for a challenge on Canas with his studs up and could have no complaints when he caught the player and was dismissed. United tried to hang on for a replay with ten men but Swansea knew that they had a great chance to score the winner and knock United out on their own turf. This is exactly what they did in the 90th minute as Bony, who had caused problems all night, scored with his head in front of the delirious Swansea support.
The scorer of Swansea's first, Routledge, supplied the cross in after he beat Fletcher with ease. Bony only had to jump and guide the ball in with his head as he was left unmarked, probably due to United having a man less. This meant that Swansea left Old Trafford after having secured their first victory there in their history but this fixture is repeated in the Premier League in just under a week's time and it will be interesting to see if Laudrup's men can achieve two wins at Old Trafford in a week or if United can find the right response to help them to a first win of 2014.
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