The Swans made three changes to the team who were beaten by Manchester United on Saturday. Nathan Dyer missed out due to injury and was replaced by Pablo Hernandez who was looking to give manager Laudrup reasons to stick with him at the weekend against Tottenham. There were also starts for Neil Taylor and new signing Wilfried Bony who came on and scored on his debut last weekend.
The game was played in front of 12,500 fans at the Liberty Stadium and it didn't take long for them to be on their feet. Wayne Routledge got the goals flowing with just 15 minutes on the clock when he side footed home Jonjo Shelvey's free kick after a clever dummy from Michu. Shelvey was involved for the second as he charged down the left wing, whipped in a tasty cross to Hernandez at the back post who forced the Petrolul keeper to parry the ball to the feet of Michu who stabbed it home. Routledge then grabbed his second and Swansea's third on 25 minutes when Hernandez floated an accurate ball across the box and he headed in from close range.
After the break, Michu; who was slipped in by Routledge, squared it to Bony who managed to squeeze it under the goalkeeper and it drifted over the line for 4-0. Despite Bony's claims, it was later given as an own goal by Peterson Pecanha. Just over 10 minutes later, Pozuelo got onto the end of a Michu through ball and calmly lifted it over the keeper. However, it was Petrolul who had the last say and netted the best goal of the night with two minutes remaining. Gheorghe Grozav's superb overhead kick left Michel Vorm stranded and probably wondering where that came from!
They may have an away goal up their sleeve but it will be increasingly difficult when the two teams meet again next Thursday. Swansea have a comfortable lead and should easily see this out, but Michael Laudrup has said they can't underestimate their opponents.
Swansea: Michel Vorm, Angel Rangel, Chico Flores, Ashley Williams (Jordi Amat, 71), Neil Taylor, Leon Britton, Jonjo Shelvey (Jonathan de Guzman, 69), Michu, Wayne Routledge (Alejando Pozuelo, 60), Pablo Hernandez, Wilfried Bony.
Unused Subs: Gerhard Tremmel, Jazz Richards, Jose Canas Roland Lamah.
Petrolul Ploiesti: Peterson Dos Santos, Sebastian Achim, Geraldo Alves, Alexandru Benga, Guilherme, Damien Boudjemaa (Njongo Priso, 57), Ovidiu Hoban (Abel Camará, ht), Sony Mustivar, Gheorghe Grozav, Hamza Younés (Férébory Doré, 57), Filipe Teixeira.
Unused Subs: Mircea Bornescu, Romário Pires, Pablo de Lucas.
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