Swansea passing it around at the back, both teams realizing the match is as good as done. Fair play to Cardiff, who could just have easily tarnished what has been a great game if they reacted differently.
90'
Three minutes of added time, representative of the three Swansea goals and the three points they'll take today from the derby.
88'
N. Taylor enters the game and replaces N. Dyer.
87'
Nathan Dyer comes off here, and the home crowd jumps to their feet to give the goalscorer a standing ovation! Inspired performance from him today, proving too much to handle for Declan John.
86'
J. Mutch gets yellow.
85'
W. Bony has scored a goal for Swansea City! Assist by Pablo Hernández.
IT'S ALL OVER ON DERBY DAY! Hernandez's free kick is superb, as it's met by the head of Bony, whose thumping header is guided into the top corner. Three for Swansea, who have made Monk's debut one to remember!
83'
Free kick for Swansea, won by Dyer right at the by-line, with a chance to whip this one into the box. He'll take his time, however.
81'
Very little time for Cardiff to turn this one around, as they begin to commit in numbers on attack. It could be too little, too late for the Blueshirts, however, as the crowd is behind their Swans in full force at the moment!
79'
N. Dyer has scored a goal for Swansea City! Assist by W. Routledge.
GOAAAAAAAAAAL! Swansea in dreamland! Moments after Cardiff come close to an equalizer off a free kick, the Swans counter through Hernandez, whose pass deflects out to Routledge. His cross splits the centre-backs and Dyer is there to head home, tucking it just inside the post.
78'
Pablo Hernández gets yellow.
Minute
Description
77'
J. Mutch enters the game and replaces W. Zaha.
Chico and Bellamy come together now as the play breaks the other way. Bellamy can't beat the defender, who wins a throw for his team, before urging on the home fans who respond with an even louder cheer (if that's possible).
75'
DYER! The winger gets the ball outside the box, and uses the run of Bony to create space for a shot that sails just over the bar! Great run from the Ivorian forward.
73'
The rain is driving down on the pitch now, and it's beginning to clog the pitch a bit, causing some sloppy play and errant passes in midfield. That bodes well for Swansea who will look to grind this one out in the final 15 minutes.
71'
Swansea are beginning to take charge of this game. Cardiff haven't committed to pushing for the equalizer, which is allowing Swansea to keep possession without too much pressure. Cardiff have to take advantage of a Swans defence that have conceded the second most goals in front of their own fans this season (20).
69'
K. McNaughton enters the game and replaces Fábio.
Cañas enters the game and replaces J. de Guzmán.
Substitutions all around now, as Jose Canas comes on for Jonatha de Guzman. Fabio comes off for Cardiff in place of McNaughton.
67'
Nice run by Davies now as he beats two Cardiff players before delivering a firm pass to the top of the box for Wilfried Bony. The Ivorian tries a half-volley on his second shot, but it's deflected wide and out for a corner that Cardiff is able to deal with easily.
65'
Swansea win a corner that nearly produces a chance, but Chico clears the danger. Medel tries to break but is taken down and wins a free kick. He tries to take it quickly, but has his pass blocked which seems to have set him off, as he charges at Andre Marriner in search of a card. If he's not careful he may get one himself.
63'
A minute later and two players are down. De Guzman is down clutching his back after a coming together with Bellamy, meanwhile Kim appears to have injured his ankle after being on the end of a Ben Davies tackle. After a short delay both players are up and play resumes. Even the delay couldn't subdue this crowd!
61'
Campbell takes little time to make his mark on the match. He chases down Rangel by the corner flag, and tackles the defender once he realizes there's no way for him to win the ball. Still no yellow cards issued out by Andre Marriner, however.
58'
The game is really opening up now! Zaha causing plenty of problems down the left for Chico and Rangel. His endless step-overs allow him behind the defence, but at a bad angle, he decides to try and cut it back. Williams is there and he's able to clear the danger as Swansea have an opportunity for a counter.
56'
F. Campbell enters the game and replaces K. Jones.
The free kick is taken well by Bellamy, but it isn't quite met by a Cardiff player, and it goes behind for a goal kick. Meanwhile, Solskjaer hasn't been too pleased with the play of Kenwyne Jones to this point, and decides to take him off in place of Frazier Campbell.
54'
Cardiff push forward now on the attack, and Zaha is picked out on the left. His pace is too much for Rangel who's forced to drag down the Manchester United loanee. Chico rushes in after the whistle and commits what would have likely been another foul on Zaha, much to the disapproval of the winger. Things are starting to heat up at the Liberty Stadium!
52'
The pace has been injected back into this match thanks to the Routledge goal! Back and forth they go, inspired by the noise level inside the Liberty Stadium. It's making for an incredible atmosphere!
50'
That will give the home fans a scare! Out of nothing, really, Bellamy side-steps Chico with ease at the top of the box, and cannons a shot off the bar! It was hit with such power, Vorm has absolutely no chance of stopping that! Unlucky for the Welshman.
49'
You can hardly hear anything over the raucous cheers of the home fans, whose singing is reminiscent to that of a church choir.
47'
W. Routledge has scored a goal for Swansea City! Assist by Pablo Hernández.
GOAAAAAAAAAAAAL! What a start to the second half for Swansea! Just a minute after coming on, Hernandez sends in Routledge with an incredible through ball and the winger makes no mistake, slotting it past Marshall at the far post. It's his first Premier League goal of the season, and what a time to score it! First blood, Swansea.
46'
Pablo Hernández enters the game and replaces M. Emnes.
We're back underway here as Swansea kick-off. The first-half may have tapered off a bit towards the end, but that's done nothing to damper the spirits of the supporters who will be singing long into the night!
45' +1
Into the first and only minute of added time. Swansea push forward as Davies makes a nice run onto the ball from the left. His shot is blocked, but falls to the feet of Routledge who can't get anything behind his shot, putting it right at Marshall! Great chance for the Swans to take the lead going into the break.
44'
That was the first real chance for Zaha! Whittingham picks him out at the top of the box. He sidesteps Britton, and has a clear look at goal, but his effort is horrendous as it was always moving away from the target. He had space there, but elected to go for power instead of bending it around the keeper, and it backfired.
42'
STAT ATTACK: Cardiff haven’t won two straight league matches all season. They beat Norwich 2-1 last weekend in Wales.
40'
Dyer goes streaking once again down the right, this time he cuts it back for Rangel who has plenty of options in the middle. He picks out De Guzman who can't connect properly with the header, as it bounces safely wide of the goal.
37'
Dyer now is picked out on the right by De Guzman, and he flies by Turner before playing it into the area, but no one is there to attack it, much to the relief of Marshall who would have been beaten otherwise.
35'
The corner is cleared easily, but not completely away from danger. It's played back into the box, and headed out to Whittingham on the outside the area, and he lets fly with a half-volley that's struck with serious pace! Vorm is positioned well, however, and he's able to get down and make the stop, and even more impressively is able to prevent any chance at a rebound.
33'
Attacking throw for Swansea that's played in for De Guzman, but his cross is poor and flies well over the bar. Cardiff start their attack with some sharp passing, and win a free kick that's taken very quickly by Bellamy, whose shot is deflected behind for a corner.
31'
The match has fizzled out a bit, as both teams are finding it difficult to match the intensity and emotion that inspired an exciting opening 20 minutes. The majority of possession is being kept in the midfield, as neither team can find a way to break into the attacking third at the moment.
29'
Emnes has had a great start to his Swansea debut. The Dutchman receives a ball over his shoulder, brings it down and cuts it back, splitting two defenders with his cross in for Bony that curls just too far from him, out for a goal kick.
27'
The pace has been taken out of the Swansea attack. They're being much more patient, which is working in Cardiff's favor, as the speed of Routledge, Emnes and Dyer is what had Cardiff on their heels in the opening minutes.
25'
STAT ATTACK: Michael Laudrup is just the first Swansea boss to be sacked since Brian Flynn in 2004, which happened to be the same year when his replacement, Garry Monk, joined the club.
23'
Nearly an opener for Kenwyne Jones! Great run from Bellamy who works a one-two with John to work himself behind the defence, eventually crossing for Jones who stabs it just wide at the near post! That's much better from Cardiff.
21'
Ashley Williams fouls Kenwyne Jones, and Cardiff have a free kick from about 40-yards out, with a chance to play it into the area. The ensuing cross is cleared, but worked back into the box by Cardiff for Bellamy, who lays it off for Whittingham who has space but stumbles, ending what looked to be a promising attack.
19'
Emnes is dispossessed now in the midfield allowing Cardiff to push forward. Kim tries to pick out Zaha on the left, but Rangel is there to head back to Vorm and Swansea can start up again.
17'
Cardiff are finding themselves chasing the game here in the early stages. Swansea look confident on the ball, and are forcing the Blueshirts to chase the ball, creating space to work their short passing game in the midfield. It's working well for Monk's men thus far.
15'
Zaha fouls Routledge, winning a free kick in the attacking half. Swansea use the opportunity to switch the play, and it's worked to Britton who beats two defenders and tries to cross it in. The cross is played behind Bony, but it's layed-off for De Guzman whose final shot is poor, sailing well over the bar.
13'
First chance arises for Cardiff as Fabio picks out Bellamy on the right. He does well to beat Britton and cross in for Jones, but his header is flicked just wide of the far post. Jones shows his strength there to win the header with Chico draped all over him.
11'
Cardiff beginning to settle into the match. More good movement by Swansea as it's played to Routledge, but some solid defending by Fabio stops the attack. His long ball forward for Jones has too much behind it, however, and it's collected by Vorm. Cardiff have to avoid giving away possession so cheaply.
9'
STAT ATTACK: In the last four meetings between the two teams, there have been 19 yellow cards and one red, issued to Michel Vorm in the season’s reverse fixture.
7'
Solskjaer's men can't keep possession at the moment. Swansea win it back in midfield and work it to Emnes on the left. He's lacking in support, however, and his cross is collected easily by Marshall.
5'
Cardiff starting out on the back heel thus far. Swansea keeping possession well, and pushing forward every chance they get. It's worked into the middle of the pitch for Bony, but he rather ambitiously has a go from 40-yards out, a shot that was never going to hit the target.
3'
Another chance here for the Swans! De Guzman provides Bony with a great through ball, and the Ivorian is dispossessed as tried to round the keeper. Crucial intervention there from Marshall! Lively start to this game, as Swansea have the crowd roaring in approval.
1'
Cardiff get us underway here, moving left to right, as the crowd roars at kick-off.
First chance comes less than a minute into the match! Emnes makes a great run up the middle, charging at defenders before laying it off for Routledge on the left. The speedy winger has a clear shot on goal, but it's a weak effort straight into the arms of Marshall!
Cardiff on the other hand, are already under new management in Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. With a win today, the Norwegian can etch his name in Cardiff folklore history, by becoming the first manager to do the league double in the South Wales derby. Although he wasn't in charge the first time around, a win today at the Liberty Stadium would secure a third successive league victory against Swansea, another historic first for the Blueshirts in this storied rivalry.
The derby marks the beginning of a new era for Swansea, after their dismissal of manager Michael Laudrup during the week. The curse of the Europa League got the best of the Swans in the first half of the season, as a heavy fixture list decimated the squad with injuries and started their plummet down the Premier League table. They've won just one of their last ten league matches, but will be hoping for a jolt of energy under player-manager Garry Monk, who spent the last ten seasons with the club at centre-back.
The teams have been announced, so let's have ourselves a look at today's starting line-ups:
SWANSEA CITY XI: Vorm; Rangel, Chico, Williams, Davies; Britton, de Guzman, Emnes, Dyer, Routledge; Bony.
CHANGES: Manchester United loanee Wilfried Zaha will make his first start since arriving at the club, with Craig Noone dropped to the bench.
In the first fixture this season at Cardiff City Stadium, Steven Caulker scored the only goal in a 1-0 win for the Blueshirts, who are actually wearing red this season after owner Vincent Tan controversially changed their jersey colors. The rivalry is as strong as ever, as the teams get set to face off for the first ever top flight meeting between the two of them at the Liberty Stadium.
CHANGES: Caretaker Garry Monk had to make a decision on whether or not to include Michel Vorm and Michu, both of whom have returned to training after lengthy injury lay-offs. Vorm makes his return to the starting XI, while Michu has been deemed unfit to play. Jonjo Shelvey suffered a hamstring injury at West Ham, meaning Swansea will have to do without him today. Jose Canas faced a late fitness test, and has been named to the substitutes bench. Whether or not he's available today is still unknown. Marvin Emnes will make his first start since arriving at the club in January.
Good afternoon Premier League fans around the world, and welcome to today's LIVE coverage of the always fiercely contested South Wales derby, between Cardiff City and Swansea City at the Liberty Stadium. I'm Alex Moretto and I'll be your in-game host, guiding you through today's action!
HALF-TIME: SWANSEA CITY 0-0 CARDIFF CITY. Certainly a lively start to the match, as Swansea came out flying under caretaker Garry Monk. Some missed chances really summed up the half for the hosts, who failed to take advantage of a nervy start from Cardiff. The visitors settled into the match nicely, and will have to be content with the opening 45 minutes, as they were able to withstand an early Swansea push, and really slow the pace, preventing the hosts from using their speed on the flanks.
STAT ATTACK: The 0-0 scoreline at the break shouldn't come as much of a surprise, as only Cardiff have scored fewer first-half goals this season (5) than Swansea (7).
It hasn't quite been the heated derby we're used to, but it seems as though the players have focused that passion and intensity into the quality of their play, which has made for some exciting moments in the first-half. Still a full 45 minutes to play, and as we know, anything can happen on derby day!
As the players ready for the second-half, Pablo Hernandez makes his way on for Swansea to replace Marvin Emnes. It's a bit of a surprising switch, as the Dutchman was definitely one of the bright spots in attack for the Swans during the first-half.
FULL-TIME: SWANSEA CITY 3-0 CARDIFF CITY. They'll be singing long into the night on the south side of Wales, as Garry Monk inspires a brilliant second half performance from the hosts in his managerial debut. It's derby delight for Swansea, who fully deserved to take three points from this fixture. Cardiff on the other hand will be disappointed with how they unraveled in the second half, after putting in such a strong road performance in the opening 45 minutes. It's back to the drawing board for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, while celebrations are on hand tonight for Garry Monk and his former teammates.
The win propels Swansea to the top half of the table, while Cardiff remain in 19th, two points up on Fulham who visit Old Trafford tomorrow.
That will do it for me here on derby day at the Liberty Stadium! I'm Alex Moretto and I'd like to thank you all for joining me as Swansea ensure a splitting of the six points this season with their Welsh neighbors. Good bye!
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