Swansea City secure all three points over Norwich after Roberto Martinez's side run out 3-2 winners.
Swansea City brushed aside the disappointment of going out of the Carling Cup on Tuesday evening with a memorable 3-2 win over Norwich as the Swans held off a late onslaught from Glenn Roeder's side to secure all three points.
After an excellent start by the home side the canaries took the lead on 28 minutes through Fiorentina striker Artur Lupoli. Sent out on loan by Viola manager Cesare Prandelli the Italian latched onto a Matty Pattison pass on the edge of the penalty area to fire his shot past the helpless Dimitros Konstantopoulos in the Swansea goal. In the ascendancy Norwich continued to press to extend their lead and were unlucky not do do so minutes after Lupoli's opener as Leroy Lita troubled the Swansea penalty area once more but the skilful striker on loan from Reading saw his effort blocked by Ashley Williams.
It would be the Welsh international who would be unlucky not to equalise for the Swans. From a Mark Gower corner kick Williams connected with the Londoners cross but his effort hit Irish midfielder David Bell on the arm and squeezed past David Marshall in the Norwich goal. However assistant official Amy Rayner flagged for and infringement in the box as Jason Scotland was adjudged to be in an offside position much to the bemusement of the Swansea players and staff.
Just minutes before the break Jason Scotland gave Roberto Martinez's side a vital equaliser when the Trinidad And Tobagan international levelled the scores.
Good combination play between Angel Rangel and Jordi Gomez on the flank furnished a chance for Swansea one that Scotland took as he scuffed his shot past Marshall. However Glenn Roeder's side could have gone into the interval ahead after Pattison found space in the Swans defence to beat Konstantopoulos but his effort hit the bar.
Half Time Score: Norwich City 1-1 Swansea City
In an inspired half time team talk by Roberto Martinez, the visitors stunned the Carrow Road faithful with two goals in quick succession. The first just a minute after the restart after Darren Pratley connected to a Jordi Gomez corner kick which the 23 year old made no mistake to send Swansea into the lead. Just two minutes later Mark Gower released on the flank found Gomez on the edge of the area where he quickly found Ferrie Bodde with a back heeled pass in the area where the Dutchman needed no invitation to put the ball coolly past Marshall .
Norwich however reduced the Swansea lead to just one goal on 60 minutes in a freak own goal by defender Angel Rangel. Mark Fotherinham's through ball to Leroy Lita was met by the Spaniard who could only watch on as his hashed clearance went past Konstantopoulos.
Despite a late onslaught by Norwich City, Swansea held on and secured all three points from Carrow Road.
Full Time Score: Norwich 2–3 Swansea City
More match reaction to come.......