by Richard Early
Venue: Liberty Stadium, Swansea
Date: February 6, 2018
SWANSEA City defeated Notts County by eight goals to one, booking their place in the Emirates FA Cup Fifth Round.
The Swans boss, Carlos Carvalhal will return to his former stomping ground, as his side have been drawn against Sheffield Wednesday at Hillsborough Stadium on Saturday 17th February.
Carvalhal made seven changes to the side which drew 1-1 away to Leicester City, as Kristoffer Nordfeldt, Tammy Abraham, Luciano Narsingh, Tom Carroll, Wayne Routledge, Kyle Bartley, and Connor Roberts came into the starting eleven.
Kevin Nolan meanwhile made just three changes from the Magpies’ 4-1 victory at home to Crewe Alexandra, as Carl Dickinson, Matty Virtue, and Terry Hawkridge entered the starting line-up.
The first opportunity came Swansea City’s way after four minutes, when Nathan Dyer intercepted a loose ball just inside the Notts County half, before striding forward and striking an effort into Adam Collin’s arms.
Dyer was causing the opposition defence plenty of problems and came close again after 13 minutes. Tammy Abraham laid the ball back for the winger on the edge of the area, whose powerful, low drive was gathered by Collin.
The home side were completely dominant in the early stages, and deservedly opened the scoring after 18 minutes through Tammy Abraham. Luciano Narsingh utilised speed and trickery to get down the right flank, before producing a low cross that the striker finished comfortably first-time.
Two minutes later, the Swans doubled their lead courtesy of Dyer. Abraham sliced the opposition defence open with a sharp through-ball from central midfield, and the 30-year-old got on the end of it before utilising a finesse shot to beat incoming Collin.
Dyer sealed a brace after 30 minutes to put his side 3-0 up. Narsingh passed to the Englishman who stood just outside the area, and struck a first-time shot with his right-foot that whizzed into the bottom left corner.
Notts County gave themselves hope as Noor Husin pulled a goal back after 35 minutes. The Afghan sprinted onto the loose ball 25 yards from goal, and rifled a shot into the bottom left corner of the net.
As the first half entered two minutes of additional time, the hosts made it 4-1 through Abraham. Kyle Bartley lofted a long ball upfield towards Narsingh, who took on a defender before drilling a low cross into the area that the 20-year-old touched home first-time.
After the interval, the hosts came out of the blocks firing as they looked to extend their lead, and they only took eight minutes to achieve that. Kyle Naughton scored the fifth by hammering an effort towards goal from the edge of the box, which took a deflection into the right side of the net.
It was 6-1 after 57 minutes, as a tackle on Dyer led the ball to Routledge who took a few touches, cutting inside the defender, before curling an effort into the bottom right corner from just outside the area.
Then ten minutes later, the home side secured a seventh through Tom Carroll. The 25-year-old played a one-two, setting himself up to step into the left, before producing a sublime, curling shot into the top left corner from around 25 yards.
The Swans made it 8-1 after 82 minutes. Abraham chested a cross back to debutant, Daniel James who volleyed from just inside the area, finding the right side of the net.
Referee, Martin Atkinson blew the final whistle after the two minutes of additional time, and Swansea City comfortably progressed to the Emirates FA Cup Fifth Round.
FULL TIME: SWANSEA CITY 8-1 NOTTS COUNTY
Swansea City: Nordfeldt, van der Hoorn (Maric 79’), Abraham, Narsingh, Dyer (James 62’), Carroll, Routledge, Clucas (Sung-Yueng 45’), Naughton, Bartley (C), Roberts. Subs not used: Mulder, Olsson, Ayew, Fernandez.
Notts County: Collin, Dickinson, Duffy (C), Virtue, Alessandra (Forte 62’), Grant, Hawkridge, Brisley, Hunt, Husin (Milsom 62’), Stead (Smith 64’). Subs not used: Pindroch, Ameobi, Noble, Walker.
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