Match Report

Swansea City 3 - 0 Ipswich  Match Report by Nigel Gigg,  Match Pictures by Andrew Thomas

Swansea City v Ipswich Town

A brace from Jason Scotland and a wonderful free kick from Jordi Gomez gave Swans what may look like a comfortable win, but Ipswich gave a decent account of themselves. For once, clinical Swans finishing gave the scoreline a somewhat flattering look.

Roberto Martinez made two changes from the draw at Southampton, with Nathan Dyer replacing Andrea Orlandi and Albert Serran replacing Angel Rangel who was suspended after accumulating five yellow cards.

Side- de Vries, Serran, Monk, Williams, Tate, Dyer, Britton, Allen, Gomez, Gower, Scotland. Subs- Bessone, Orlandi, Butler, Bauza, Pintado.

Swans didn’t make the best of starts giving the ball away cheaply a couple of times in the opening two minutes. Then with their first attack of the game they took the lead.

Albert Serran made a terrific run down the right flank skipping over a couple of challenges. He sent over an excellent low cross and picked out Jason Scotland who was in the perfect spot at the front post to hammer home to put the Swans ahead.

Ipswich showed true grit and took the game to Swansea. They certainly hadn’t come to let Swans dominate possession.

There were half chances at both ends with Ashley Williams and Jason Scotland going close to extending the lead for the Swans.

Ipswich were a physical side and caused the Swans problems with crosses from out wide. Unfortunately their physical approach also came to the fore when Swans were in possession and referee Mr Wright seemed reluctant to stamp out poor challenges.

Mark Gower had a glorious chance to extend the Swans lead and break his own goal scoring drought. He made a terrific run at the far post but didn’t seem to even get a touch to Nathan Dyer’s cross when looked certain to score.

Swans were good value for the 1-0 lead at half time but they had had to battle hard.

Ipswich brought on Pablo Counago, who had scored twice in the corresponding fixture at Portman Road earlier in the season, at the start of the second half.

Once more Mr Wright allowed some poor challenges on Swans players go by and he infuriated the Swans faithful after Joe Allen had been flattened by the arm of an Ipswich player. Mr Wright gave no free kick and Ipswich players added insult to injury by playing on with the young Swans midfielder lying flat out. Ipswich’s move ended with David Norris firing a shot just wide of the post.

Ipswich were now attacking in large numbers and inevitably leaving gaps at the back. Pablo Counago went desperately close with a shot that had Dorus beaten.

Swans went close when after excellent approach play by Jason Scotland and Mark Gower, Jordi Gomez fired in a right foot shot that drew a full length save from Richard Wright in the Ipswich goal.

Alan Tate was very lucky to escape a second yellow card when he blatantly impeded an Ipswich player with the ball several yards away. Thankfully it was case of another wrong for Mr Wright.

On 72 minutes Swans got the all important second goal. Nathan Dyer played a ball into Jason Scotland’s feet just inside the Ipswich area. The big striker dropped his shoulder to create the opening. He turned on a sixpence and fired a low hard shot with his left foot into the corner of the net. The goal being an almost exact replica of his goal against Bristol Rovers last year in front of the Sky cameras.

Roberto Martinez introduced Tom Butler for Mark Gower.

There was a close call on the Swans goal after a rare mistake by Ashley Williams. Dorus de Vries rescued things by blocking a close range shot with his chest.

Gorka Pintado replaced Joe Allen with ten minutes or so to play. Despite being 2-0 down Ipswich continued to press forward. Tom Butler made a terrible hash of a defensive clearance and once more Dorus de Vries came to the rescue with an excellent save form Counago.

Six minutes from time and Jordi Gomez won a free kick ten yards or so outside the Ipswich area. He took the free kick himself and bent the ball around the four man wall and into the corner of the goal. It was a quality strike from a classy player.

Swans played out the final few minutes and Ipswich finally looked a beaten side.

Today, Swans never hit the high notes with their brand of free flowing football but they dug deep and eventually won the day through grit, determination and clinical finishing.

Ratings-

De Vries 8- Pulled off a few good saves. Much busier than we have become used to.

Serran 8- Outstanding League debut.
Monk 8 – Another Captain’s performance.
Williams 7 – A rare mistake but otherwise very good game.
Tate 7 – Possibly lucky not to see red.

Dyer 8 – Absolutely buzzing at the moment.
Britton 8- Outstanding again. Doing his best to limit the loss of Darren Pratley.
Allen 7 – Not quite at the heights of some recent performances.
Gomez 8 – A real thoroughbred performance.
Gower 7 – Great approach work but don’t mention the finishing.

Scotland 9 – Absolutely on fire at the moment.

Subs-

Butler 6 – One howler at the back.
Pintado – Only on a few minutes.
Bauza - Ditto

Swansea City 3 - 0 Ipswich  Match Report by icWales,  Match Pictures by Andrew Thomas

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