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A Scott Sinclair hat-trick meant that Swansea avoided a cup upset but, ultimately, the game was spoilt by referee Nigel Miller.Before the game both managers had stated their desire to win and the starting line-ups of both sides represented this. Gary Johnson named as strong a line-up as he po sibly could but injuries to the central midfield pairing of Grant McCann and James Wesolowski meant that Charlie Lee and Chris Fergie Jenkins Jersey Whelpdale were playing as the duo in the centre of midfield. Nana was also brought into the starting line-up at right back.Brendon Rodgers made seven changes to the side that started inSwanseas league game at the weekend bringing in David Cotterill to start on the right wing and Stephen Dobbie to play the lone role up-front, amongst others, in Swanseas formation which obviously looks to utilise the pace on both wings. Yves Makabu-Makalambay was also handed his first start of the season in goal.The Championship side immediately showed their quality, forcing Joe Lewis into a save in the opening stages after Scott Sinclair had been given too much time to cut inside and fire a shot away by Nana. This warning sign obviously didnt alert Poshs defence too much to the danger of Sinclairs pace because moments later he was gifted another chance, this time he took it as well. After Chris Whelpdale had given away po se sion sloppily, Sinclair danced around four Peterborough United defenders, who seemed mesmerised by the wingers quick feet, before he was through on goal and although the initial shot was saved by Lewis, the ball, after a series of ricochets, the final one coming off SCOTT SINCLAIR, ended up in the back of the net.Posh were unbeaten at home up to now and werent simply going to let the Championship team progre s without putting up a fight and the hosts were back on level terms within an instant of falling behind. Charlie Lee made an excellent run into the penalty area before firing the ball back acro s the goal-line for CRAIG MACKAIL-SMITH to tap into an empty net from six yards out.Craig Mackail-Smith scored once but should have added a few more to his tally.Inspired by this goal Peterborough went close to taking the lead moments later, in similar fashion to the first goal, when Mackail-Smiths cut back was directed towards goal by Aaron McLean but Makabu-Makalambay made a good save. ThePosh looked as if they had settled into the game now and, with the confidence of drawing level, they were carving up a make-shift Swansea defence with ease.The haple s referee, Nigel Miller, was called into action for the first time in the match, although it wasnt Kosuke Fukudome Jersey to be the last, mid-way through the first half when Mackail-Smith had rounded Makabu-Makalambay in the Swansea goal and was Kyle Schwarber Jersey clearly brought down by the keeper inside the penalty area. The referee pondered over the decision, which, if given as a foul, would had to have been a red card to the Swansea goal-keeper for denying a clear goalscoring opportunity, before pointing for a goal-kick. In this decision he was clearly showing that Makabu-Makalambay didnt touch the ball, Mackail-Smith also didnt dive but apparently the obvious foul didnt warrant a penalty.After numerous good runs fromSinclair the Peterborough defence were beginning to look a little scared ofthe paceywide-manand it was evident as he tore past Nana and Mendez-Laing, who both appeared to run away from the winger, and fired a shot on target but Joe Lewis was equal to it and turned the shot over the cro s-bar.Again the referee was called into action. This time twice in a matter of moments with Posh having legitimate penalty claims turned down both times. Firstly, Mackail-Smith ran in behind theSwans defence and was sliced down by Ashley Williams, from behind, but the referee chose to give a corner much to the strikers disbelief. Moments later the striker was in behind the Swans defence again and this time appeared to be grappled to the floor inside the 18 yard box but the referee allowed play to go on and the ball rolled gratefully into the Swansea goal-keepers hands. A chorus of boos rang out around London Road but Mr. Miller seemed unperturbed.It wasnt long beforeSinclair was back in the action again, as he proved a constant threat. A clever through-ball from Darren Pratley released SCOTT SINCLAIR into space and, after Nana was caught the wrong side of the attacker, the former Chelsea player had time to pick his spot before coolly slotting the ball beyond Lewis in the Peterborough goal.Sinclair, here shown celebrating against Burnley, was impre sive.The goal, which was struck just before half-time, was naturally a disappointment for the Posh fans who had seen their team look very competitive during the first half. The pace of the Welsh sides wingers was obviously causing problems though, with Sinclair looking particularly dangerous. Swansea did have a very impre sive ability of exploding into life at times, after retaining po se sion comfortably, due to the pace the po se sed in their side.Both sides were looking to add another soon after the break with George Boyd firing just wide after his shot was deflected just wide by Ashley Williams block, to be fair Makabu-Makalambay seemed to have the shot covered. Joe Lewis at the other end certainly didnt have Scott Sinclairs curling effort covered moments later but he was grateful to see the ball travel past his left hand up-right.Nigel Miller Joe Maddon Jersey was back to his worst againwith an absolutely shocking decision. Mackail-Smith was played through, with his pace exploiting the Swans defence, and he was clearly bundled over by Albert Serran on his way through on goal but yet again Mr. Miller chose to give absolutely nothing and the ball trickled away to safety.Gary Johnson decided to re-shuffle Ben Zobrist Jersey his side due to the fact Swansea were having far too much time on the ball, especially as they entered the Peterborough United half Stephen Dobbie and Jordi Lopez had both gone close as a result of this space. Chris Whelpdale was replaced, after having to play out of positiondue Poshs injury crisis, with Lee Tomlin coming on. George Boyd filled in the central midfield position, in a more advanced position than Whelpdale was previously playing in, with Lee Tomlin playing a similar role to what George Boyd was previously on the left hand side.Lee Tomlin made an impact after coming off the bench.Stephen Dobbie, who is normally so clinical in-front of goal, mi sed a sitter as the game wore on after a free-kick was floated in from the right but the striker somehow fluffed his lines and fired wide of Joe Lewis goal. The game would have surely been over had that chance gone in.This was the start of a Posh fight-back though and the hosts were now playing some of their most flowing football of the game. First Boyd went close and then, after some great pa sing incl |
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發表於 2023-3-10 14:06:39
