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FA Cup | Quarter-Finals
Mar 17, 2018 at 12.15pm UK
 
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0-3

FT(HT: 0-2)
Eriksen (11', 62'), Lamela (45')

Live Commentary: Swansea City 0-3 Tottenham Hotspur - as it happened

Relive Sports Mole's live coverage as Tottenham Hotspur ease to a 3-0 win at Swansea City in Saturday's game in the FA Cup quarter-finals.
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Tottenham Hotspur have recorded a 3-0 win over Swansea City in Saturday's FA Cup quarter-final clash at the Liberty Stadium.

Christian Eriksen opened the scoring for Spurs before Erik Lamela netted a second just before the break to put Mauricio Pochettino's side in full control.

Swansea rallied after the restart but Eriksen's second just after the hour mark sealed the North London outfit's progress through to the last four.

Find out how all of the action unfolded in South Wales courtesy of Sports Mole's minute-by-minute updates below.


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Hello and welcome to Sports Mole's live coverage of the FA Cup quarter-final between Swansea City and Tottenham Hotspur. Both teams head into the game in a rich vein of form, but will that continue at the Liberty Stadium? Let's see who Carlos Carvalhal and Mauricio Pochettino have selected in their respective starting lineups.

SWANSEA CITY XI: Nordfeldt; Van Der Hoorn, Mawson, Bartley; Naughton, Ki, Carroll, Clucas, Olsson; Dyer, Abraham

SWANSEA CITY SUBSTITUTES: Mulder, Roberts, Fernandez, Britton, Byers, Routledge, Narsingh


TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR XI: Vorm; Trippier, Sanchez, Vertonghen, Davies; Dier, Sissoko, Lamela, Eriksen, Lucas; Son

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR SUBSTITUTES: Lloris, Alderweireld, Aurier, Foyth, Dembele, Alli, Llorente


Let's start with Swansea as Carvalhal is forced to deal with a number of selection issues. Jordan Ayew is suspended after his sending off against Huddersfield Town and both Andy King and Andre Ayew are cup-tied having already represented Leicester City and West Ham United respectively.

It means that Nathan Dyer and Tammy Abraham have been drafted into the starting lineup. The pair have already shown in this competition that they are capable of working together and they get another opportunity this afternoon. Former Spurs player Tom Carroll is brought in for King.

As in previous rounds, Kristoffer Nordfeldt takes his place between the sticks with Lukas Fabianski not involved. Carvalhal has also decided to replace Federico Fernandez with Kyle Bartley in the centre of defence.

The substitutes' bench is pretty much as you would expect, although Connor Roberts only features among the replacements having started in many of the club's previous matches in this competition. Midfielder George Byers is also on the bench and will hope to make his first-team debut for the Swans.

As for Spurs, Pochettino has continued to rotate his squad in this competition but not to the extent of previous rounds. Harry Kane is injured and Dele Alli only features on the bench but Christian Eriksen and Son Heung-min retain their places in the team.

Erik Lamela and Lucas Moura will both be looking to make an impression with a spot up for grabs when Spurs return to Premier League action after the international break, while Kieran Trippier gets a chance at right-back with Serge Aurier dropping down to the bench.

In goal, Michel Vorm continues to feature in this competition but Hugo Lloris is named on the bench, while Moussa Sissoko partners Eric Dier in midfield. There is no place for Harry Winks, who continues to struggle with an ankle injury.

Pochettino has also decided to name Toby Alderweireld on the bench after a recent spell out due to injury. Alderweireld could have potentially partnered Juan Foyth in the centre of defence, but Pochettino instead opts for Davinson Sanchez and Jan Vertonghen.

The match at the Liberty Stadium is the first of four FA Cup ties to be played over the weekend. Later this evening, we will have coverage of Manchester United's clash with Brighton & Hove Albion, while tomorrow, League One outfit Wigan Athletic - the 2013 winners - host Southampton and Chelsea face Leicester City at the King Power Stadium. Sports Mole will be providing full coverage for every game.

Let's start our build-up to this game with Carvalhal. He has become known for his quirky responses in press conferences and it has been no different this week. The Portuguese has been very specific when it comes to Swansea's chances in this match. Click here to read his thoughts.

Pochettino has also been speaking about the impact that Carvalhal has had on Swansea since his arrival in December. It's fair to say that the Argentine has been impressed. Click here to see what he has had to say.

The Welsh club have reached their stage of the competition by coming through three successive replays - all at home. Wolverhampton Wanderers, Notts County and Sheffield Wednesday did enough in the first fixture, but couldn't prevent Swansea from progressing at the Liberty Stadium.

Swansea are making their first appearance at the last eight of the FA Cup since 1964! Back then, they upset the odds by beating Liverpool.

Carvalhal's men endured somewhat of a blip in getting thrashed by Brighton & Hove Albion on February 24, but they have responded with two comfortable wins over Wednesday and West Ham United and a superb draw at Huddersfield Town having played most of the game with 10 men.

Swansea are proving difficult to score against. In 14 matches in all competitions, only Brighton have managed to score more than one goal. It's some record given that the club had previously been struggling in the bottom three of the top-flight standings.

The home side are missing a number of key players for this match, so responsibility in attack will fall to Abraham. The Chelsea loanee only has four goals in 24 outings in the league, but the 20-year-old has contributed two goals and a number of assists in four appearances in the FA Cup.

Let's turn our attention to Spurs. Pochettino has always said that the FA Cup is important to the club, but he has acknowledged that it is now deemed to be "massive" after their elimination from the Champions League. Click here to read his thoughts in full.

It has been highlighted that Spurs are without Kane for today's match but Pochettino has been outspoken when it comes to discussing potential replacements for the club's top goalscorer.

While Swansea are not regulars at this stage of the FA Cup, Spurs are. Since the turn of the Millennium, the North Londoners have reached the last eight or beyond on seven occasions.

Spurs have been given a favourable route to the quarter-finals this season, but they've made hard work of it. Replays were required to see off Newport County and Rochdale, who feature in League Two and League One respectively.

Spurs recently went out of the Champions League with defeat to Juventus but it remains their only setback in 19 matches in all competitions. This remains Pochettino's only hope for a trophy this season so he will be desperate to ensure that their form counts for little.

The man of the moment for Spurs has been Son. The South Korean attacker endured a blip just after the start of the year, but the 25-year-old now has seven goals and an assist from his last four outings!

PREDICTION! After missing out in the Champions League, Pochettino and his squad will place more focus on this competition. Even with Kane in the starting lineup, expect a comfortable afternoon for the North London outfit, who we think will run out 3-1 winners.

HEAD TO HEAD! Today's encounter represents just the 46th time that these two sides have met in a competitive fixture, with Spurs winning 28 times in comparison to eight victories for Swansea.

Fourteen of those matches have taken place since Swansea's promotion to the Premier League in 2011, but the Welsh club have not won a single game since then! Spurs have won all but three of those encounters. The corresponding fixture in the league this season took place on January 2, with Spurs running out 2-0 victors thanks to goals from Llorente and Alli. Click here to read back on that match.

It's time for the two teams to make their way out at a blustery Liberty Stadium. You would think that the conditions will favour the home side but let's wait and see!

A reminder of the two teams...

SWANSEA CITY XI: Nordfeldt; Van Der Hoorn, Mawson, Bartley; Naughton, Ki, Carroll, Clucas, Olsson; Dyer, Abraham

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR XI: Vorm; Trippier, Sanchez, Vertonghen, Davies; Dier, Sissoko, Lamela, Eriksen, Lucas; Son


KICKOFF! Swansea get us underway. Remember, if we are level at 90 minutes, there will be extra time.

This is nearly some start from Swansea, and from Abraham. The forward gets the better of Sanchez in the air and is able to run towards goal. However, his pass to the supporting Dyer is slightly over-hit and Vorm is able to deal with the danger.

Aside from that flurry forward, Swansea have given up most of the possession to Spurs, who are not being given much space in the final third.

For the first time in the match, Spurs are able to get in behind Swansea through Son but the forward is correctly adjudged to be offside.

We are still awaiting the first clear-cut opening. For all of Spurs possession, Swansea have come closer to creating a chance. Positive start from the home side.

Better from Spurs, who attempt to up the pace of their play. Lamela looked to pick out the advancing run of Sissoko but his pass had too much power on it.

GOAL! Swansea City 0-1 Tottenham Hotspur (Christian Eriksen)

Just like that, Spurs take the lead. Lamela flicks the ball through to Eriksen close to the halfway line and the Swansea backline decide to back off the Dane. Big mistake. The midfielder moved towards the edge of the area before curling a beautiful shot into the far corner form 20 yards out.

Christian Eriksen scores the opener during the FA Cup quarter-final between Swansea City and Tottenham Hotspur on March 17, 2018© Offside


It's harsh on Swansea who had started this game the better of the two sides but they have been made to pay for showing too much respect to the best player of their opponents.

SHOT! Swansea now stand off Moura, who manages to move into the penalty area. However, the Brazilian's eventual shot is scuffed and too close to Nordfeldt.

This could turn into a long afternoon for Swansea, who haven't lined up with the intention of always attacking this Spurs side. The visitors are starting to dominate this game and a second goal would leave their hosts facing a huge task to get back into this match.

Swansea are camping everyone into their own half. Each player - aside from Abraham - is within 40 yards of Nordfeldt's goal.

Moura is having an increasing influence on this game and the attacker almost gets in down the right-hand side of the penalty area. However, Mawson is able to get across to send the ball behind for a corner.

While Moura is becoming increasingly influential, Abraham is becoming increasingly isolated and his frustration is starting to show. The home side need to get their forward involved.

Son has the ball in the net after controlling a high ball and producing a stunning finish in off the crossbar. The goal is ruled out for offside and we are heading to VAR.

It's so close - there are literally millimetres in it - but the technology has ruled that the goal cannot be given.

Swansea have definitely been handed a reprieve and they need to feed off it. More often that not, Son's goal probably gets given, but it wasn't on this occasion.

However, Spurs have soon regained their rhythm again and Swansea are chasing shadows. The North Londoners could make this game easy for themselves if they net a second.

Spurs have had 81% of possession. It's an incredible amount for an away team. Carvalhal had little option to set up like this but it is not working. Moura just failed to get on the end of a Lamela cross from the left.

SHOT! Lamela takes to shooting from far out but his 30-yard strike comes nowhere near to beating Nordfeldt with the ball going off target.

Dyer has just attempted to replicate Marco van Basten's famous volley on the right-hand side of the penalty area, but the ball ends up going straight across the area to a Spurs defender.

Carvalhal would have been encouraged with their most recent spell on the ball but as soon as Spurs regained possession, they quickly won a corner.

WOODWORK! I doubt that there will be many better saves than this one over the weekend. Eriksen's well-struck shot seems destined for the top corner but Nordfeldt gets a finger to the ball and it hits the top of the crossbar.

CHANCE! Spurs are really knocking at the door for a second. Eriksen's inswinging corner should be converted by Dier, but the midfielder heads over from eight yards.

Swansea are back to having 10 men behind the ball with Abraham occupying the two centre-backs. You would imagine that Carvalhal will change system at half time.

Spurs launch another attack and they have men over. However, despite taking what seems to be the easiest option in passing to Moura, Son decides to shoot and sees his effort blocked.

There will be three minutes of added-on time.

GOAL! Swansea City 0-2 Tottenham Hotspur (Erik Lamela)

We still have over half of this football match remaining but that might be game over. Lamela is allowed to travel with the ball towards the edge of the penalty area and the Argentine takes his chance to curl the ball into the bottom corner from 20 yards. Nordfeldt was wrong-footed.

Erik Lamela scores the second during the FA Cup quarter-final between Swansea City and Tottenham Hotspur on March 17, 2018© Offside


HALF TIME: Swansea City 0-2 Tottenham Hotspur

The half-time whistle goes at the Liberty Stadium and goals from Eriksen and Lamela have put Spurs to within touching distance of a place in the last four of the FA Cup. Carvalhal simply has to throw caution to the wind after the break.

The opening goal of the game came through Eriksen, who benefitted from a neat pass from Lamela before being allowed to advance towards the penalty area. Swansea had the opportunity to put a challenge in but the Dane was able to curl the ball into the far corner from 20 yards out.

The second came from the boot of Lamela, in similar circumstances but with his right foot. Again, Swansea failed to make a tackle and the Argentine took advantage by finding the bottom corner from the edge of the area.

Aside from a flurry forward at the start of the game and Dyer's speculative volley, Swansea have offered very little. We are just waiting to see how Carvalhal changes things for this second half.

KICKOFF! Swansea get us back underway. Narsingh has replaced Naughton.

SHOT! Wow - Swansea almost get back into this match! Firstly, Olsson sees a venomous strike from distance well saved by Vorm, before the goalkeeper gets back to his feet to keep out Abraham's header on the rebound.

If Spurs were complacent when returning for the second half, they certainly aren't now. The Swansea fans are encouraged now. Maybe their team can make a game of this after all.

SHOT! My word, what an effort this is. Dier takes aim from 30 yards and the ball is well on its way to the top corner before Nordfeldt makes an excellent save high to his right.

SHOT! It's Sissoko's turn to get a shot away from long range but it's miscued well wide of the post.

Swansea are knocking at the door again. Narsingh produces a brilliant ball for Abraham to nod home from close range but Sanchez gets back to flick the ball clear.

Moura is the one Spurs attacker who has struggled to get into this game today but the Brazilian continues to persevere. After twisting and turning close to the byline, the January signing is able to win a corner for his side.

We are having a bit of a lull in the action but it is Spurs who are beginning to push forward for a third. If they score again, it's definitely game over.

As we reach the hour mark, Carvalhal can only really turn to Routledge if he wants to change things up again. As for Spurs, don't be surprised to see Alli and Llorente before too long.

GOAL! Swansea City 0-3 Tottenham Hotspur (Christian Eriksen)

It's game over now. Moura wants to shoot but can't so tees up Eriksen, and the Dane's first-time strike from the edge of the area goes through a number of players and goalkeeper Nordfeldt before finding the bottom corner.

SHOT! Eriksen wants his hat-trick because he will know that he might be substituted sooner rather than later. On this occasion, Nordfeldt saves his 20-yard effort.

Spurs are coasting through this match now. Pochettino will be delighted with how his side have responded to the defeat against Juventus. A 4-1 win at Bournemouth is being followed by a ruthless display in South Wales.

BOOKING! Sanchez is the first player to go into the book for a wild lunge on Olsson.

A Spurs change is upcoming. Llorente is about to enter the action. That's when Spurs lose possession of the ball.

SUBSTITUTION! Llorente is introduced for Moura, who is given a rest with 17 minutes of this match remaining. It's a bit surprising that Eriksen or Son have not been withdrawn.

There are signs that the intensity of this match is dropping. It's understandable really with many of these players about to link up with their international teams.

Carvalhal is yet to show any sign of making a second change. It feels like a good opportunity to introduce Byers for his first-team debut.

Nearly a fourth for Spurs as Son gets in behind the defence but his low cross for Llorente is over-hit. The Spaniard should probably have gambled.

SUBSTITUTIONS! One change apiece for either side. Roberts replaces Van Der Hoorn for Swansea, while Alli comes on for Spurs in place of Lamela.

To their credit, Spurs continue to push forward. Son looks eager to make an impact from the left flank. Swansea are trying to avoid conceding four goals for the second time in four matches.

SUBSTITUTION! After Llorente fails to score with two close-range efforts, Swansea make their final change with Routledge coming on for Dyer.

Most of the home fans have already made to the exits. It's difficult to judge because it is bitterly cold at the Liberty Stadium. They will be back out in force after the international break.

This looks concerning for Swansea and for Abraham. Under no pressure, the forward has gone down clutching his thigh and is needing to be helped back to his feet. The physio is giving the thumbs up, however, which will be a relief to his manager.

There will be three minutes of added-on time.

FULL TIME: Swansea City 0-3 Tottenham Hotspur

The full-time whistle goes at the Liberty Stadium and Spurs have confirmed their place in the last four. Once Lamela had doubled his side's lead just before the break, the end result was never really in doubt. Swansea improved after half time but they were no match for the North Londoners.

That will be all from Sports Mole for this game. Thank you for joining us this afternoon and we hope to see you again soon.

If you would like to read our on-the-whistle match report, you can do so by clicking here. Goodbye for now.


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