Swansea 0-0 Chelsea - Capital One Cup Semi Final Second Leg - Match Report

Michael Steele-Getty Images

Swansea will join Bradford City in the Capital One Cup Final after holding Chelsea to a 0-0 draw at the Liberty Stadium, defeating them 2-0 on aggregate, but the game will be overshadowed by Hazard's sending off for kicking a ball boy.

Swansea came into this tie with a two goal advantage, after winning 2-0 in the semi-final first leg at Stamford Bridge two weeks ago, thanks to goals by Michu and Danny Graham.

Swansea also haven't lost at home in the last five games in all competitions, winning two and drawing three including draws against Arsenal and Manchester United.

Under Rafa Benitez though, Chelsea have won six out of seven away games, with 17 goals in their last five away games in all competitions.

Not far into the game, the first penalty appeal occurred. Chelsea’s Demba Ba went down inside the box after a challenge by Swansea’s Ben Davies but a penalty was not given.

The first chance of the game came moments later, after Swansea went on the counter-attack after a Chelsea corner. Swansea’s Wayne Routledge shot was tipped away by Chelsea’s Petr Cech.

Routledge was involved in Swansea’s next opportunity at goal, as his good ball to Michu allowed him to shoot across goal but it was saved by Cech.

Then it was Michu’s turn to set up a chance, as his header from an Angel Rangel long ball, gave Jonathan De Guzman a chance at goal, but it was blocked by Chelsea’s Gary Cahill.

Chelsea finally got their first quality chance, when a Cahill header was goal-bound, only to be cleared off the line by Rangel.

From the clearance, Chelsea’s Eden Hazard had a shot but it was saved by Swansea’s Gerhard Tremmel.

Oscar then had an opportunity to give Chelsea a goal, but once again Tremmel was on top as he was able to cover the ball before Oscar got a shot away.

Ba had a chance just before half time from inside the box, but unfortunately his shot went over the crossbar.

Second half commenced the same way the first end with another Demba Ba shot from the edge of the area, but it went wide of the post.

A quick flick by Mata on a free kick gave Lampard and Chelsea another stab at goal, but Lampard’s shot from about 30 yards out flew over the crossbar.

Mata then had a chance of his own as he had a shot from outside the area that was travelling towards the left corner of the net, but Tremmel was able to stop it.

Although Chelsea dominated possession for most of the second half, they were unable to break the deadlock.

Swansea came close to breaking the deadlock near the end of the game, when Nathan Dyer had two opportunities to score in added time. However, these shots where both cleared.

Unfortunately though, the game will be overshadowed by an incident that happened ten minutes before the end of the game.

Chelsea’s Eden Hazard was sent off for violent conduct after he kicked a ball boy. Hazard felt the ball boy was wasting time by not giving the ball immediately to Tremmel.

It appears that Hazard kicks the ball boy in the ribs and then takes the ball away from him, which infuriates the players and fans that saw the incident.

Referee Chris Foy made the right decision by sending Hazard off for violent conduct, leaving Chelsea to play with ten men for the remainder of the game.

Chelsea midfielder Eden Hazard being sent off
(Andrew Yates-AFP-Getty Images)

The game ended 0-0, with Swansea winning 2-0 on aggregate, meaning they will advance to play Bradford City at Wembley in the Capital One Cup Final on Sunday 24^th February.

Line Ups

Swansea – Tremmel, Chico, Williams, Rangel, Davies, Britton, Michu, Pablo, Routledge (Dyer - 65’), De Guzman, Ki Sung-Yeung

Unused Subs – Vorm, Monk, Tiendalli, Graham, Lamah, Shechter

Chelsea – Cech, Ivanovic (David Luiz - 68’), Cole (Bertrand - 86’), Cahill, Azpilicueta, Ramires, Lampard, Mata, Oscar (Torres - 81’), Hazard (sent off – 80’) Ba

Unused Subs – Turnbull, Ferreira, Terry, Marin

Referee – Chris Foy

Man of the Match – Ashley Williams

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