Monk Scores Winner As Swans Progress In Cup

Swansea City skipper marked his first game of the season with a winning goal to send Laudrup's men through to the 4th round of the Capital One Cup at League One side Crawley Town.

The Swans boss was looking for his team to get that winning feeling back after two consecutive defeats - they did - but they were made to work hard to progress in the League Cup.

It looked like Michu was going to send them on their way to another relatively straightforward cup win, as he curled home an opener from Routledge's cross after 27 minutes, but the hosts struck back just before the break.

After Luke Moore missed chances - along with Michu and Routledge, the home side drew level when Simpson was fortunate to see a shot deflect past the helpless Gerhard Tremmel.

That equaliser on the stroke of half time gave Crawley a boost in confidence from the restart and they threatened to embarrass the Premier League side with a cup shock, after taking the lead just after the hour mark.

Akpan turned and scored from just 6 yards, just moments after Rory Donnelly replaced goalscorer Michu.

5 minutes later, Danny Graham came on for Jazz Richards to give the Swans more attacking options as they looked to get back into the tie.

The change proved to be effective as the striker netted his third of the season to put the sides level again. Debutant Dwight Tiendalli's pinpoint cross was met by Graham, as they punished Crawley for failing to take their chances, as Forte really should have extended their lead to 3-1.

With the game heading for 30 minutes of extra time and potentially penalties to decide the outcome, skipper Garry Monk won it for Swansea City in the 90th minute as he found the net with a header from Routledge's corner.

It was tie full of chances, with the hosts edging it with 18 of the total 35 created in the game. It could have gone either way, as Forte in particular should have put Crawley two goals clear at 3-1. Instead Danny Graham equalised before Monk won it late on.

Laudrup will be delighted with the result and to see more players involved in the first team action - including Tiendalli, Richards, Monk and Donnelly.

Hopefully the Swans can experience that winning feeling again on Saturday when they face a tough League game at Stoke City.

Crawley: P Jones, Byrne, Sadler, Walsh, Davis, Clarke, Akpan, Simpson, Adams, Bulman, Forte.

Subs: Davies, Connolly, Torres, Alexander, Hunt, Ajose, Kuipers.

Swansea: Tremmel, Tiendalli, Davies, Monk ©, Ki, Britton, Gower, Michu, Richards, Routledge, Moore.

Subs: Cornell, Tate, Situ, Lucas, Alfei, Donnelly, Graham.

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