by Callum Ellis
Date: Tuesday, 27 February 2018
Venue: Liberty Stadium
SWANSEA City edged past Championship strugglers Sheffield Wednesday to confirm their place in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup for the first time since 1964.
Jordon Ayew and Nathan Dyer were both on target for the Swans as Carlos Carvalhal inflicted defeat on his former side at the second time of asking.
After a quiet opening to the game, the hosts looked the team more likely to break the dead-lock.
The first chance fell in favour of the Swans as Ki Sung-Yueng’s free-kick found Tom Carroll in space on the left wing.
Carroll’s cross into the area picked out Tammy Abraham in space, though the young Englishman’s header was deflected behind for a corner.
Despite being on the front foot, Swansea goalkeeper Kristoffer Nordfeldt was called into action inside the half-hour mark as Jacob Butterfield forced the first save of the night.
The Swans quickly turned defence into attack as Sam Clucas tried his luck with a overhead kick minutes later, though he failed to guide his spectacular effort on target.
Butterfield was again at the centre of Wednesday’s next move as he found Lucas Joao, who forced another strong save from Nordfeldt 10 minutes before the interval.
The Owls were forced into making an early change just before the break as Jack Hunt was replaced by Liam Palmer.
Ki went close to breaking the dead-lock as his low effort sailed agonisingly wide of Cameron Dawson’s post.
And the Swans created another chance before the half-time whistle as Welsh youngster Connor Roberts found Abraham, who again failed to guide his effort on target.
Despite looking the team more likely to take the lead, the hosts were forced to head into the break with the scoreline goalless.
Carlos Carvalhal made a double substitution during the interval as Jordon Ayew and Martin Olsson replaced Wayne Routledge and Ki.
And the former Wednesday boss was rewarded 10 minutes later as substitute Ayew gave the Swans the lead.
Carroll’s initial effort from the edge of the area cannoned off the inside of both posts, before the Ghana international slotted home the rebound into an empty net.
After the goal, the visitors’ frustration began to grow as Jordan Rhodes was shown the first yellow card of the evening for a late challenge on Olsson.
Wednesday manager Jos Luhukay sent on striker Atdhe Nuhiu in an attempt to find an equaliser.
But the away side’s chances of levelling quickly took a hit as the Swans doubled their advantage with 10 minutes remaining on the clock.
Ayew did well to dispossess Wednesday defender David Jones in the middle of the park, before the ball fell to the feet of Abraham.
And the Chelsea loanee slipped the ball through to Dyer, who kept his composure well to slot the ball through Dawson’s legs.
Swansea stalwart Leon Britton made a return from injury with seven minutes remaining as he replaced the goalscorer Dyer to ensure the victory was secured for the hosts.
Carvalhal’s men will now keep their eye on the replay between Tottenham and Rochdale to find out who they will face in the quarter-finals of the competition.
Goals: Ayew (55’) Dyer (80’)
Swansea City: Nordfeldt, Ki (Olsson 45′), van der Hoorn, Abraham, Dyer (Britton 83’), Carroll, Routledge (Ayew 46′), Clucas, Bartley, Fernandez, Roberts.
Sheffield Wednesday: Dawson, Hunt (Palmer 38′), Jones, Rhodes (Abdi 81’), Butterfield (Nuhiu 68’), Loovens, Joao, Reach, Boyd, Pudil, Venancio.
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