Martinez Thrilled With Super Swans

Roberto Martinez has praised the effort and quality of his players after they saw off FA Cup holders Portsmouth at Fratton Park.

Nathan Dyer’s strike midway through the first half was added to by a Jason Scotland penalty on the stroke of half time.

And despite some testing moments in the second period, the Swans held on for a famous cup giant killing.

Martinez could not hide his delight when speaking to BBC Wales after the game.

‘It wouldn’t say it was a fluke, we were the better side over the 90 minutes,’ Martinez told BBC Wales.

‘It was a great performance to the end because we had to hold our concentration and our focus.’

‘The players have worked extremely hard and success in football doesn’t come as an accident,’ added Martinez.

‘(The win) was more than anything the positive feeling of being able to come to a Premier League environment and be ourselves.’

‘That’s what we were looking for and I’m delighted we’ve been able to do that because to say we’ve been the better side against a very good Portsmouth side, I think it tells you a lot about the performance.’

‘You can see we are getting better and that’s credit to everyone at Swansea City.’

‘Portsmouth threw everything, they had nothing to lose, they had to chase the game and they’ve got a player who’s been moving around in world football for £26m so you are going to expect them to get chances,’ said Martinez.

‘But the way you defend, the way you make the decisions and the way you take the challenges, I couldn’t be prouder of the players, and that’s another clean sheet.’

Martinez was equally impressed with the 3,000 strong Jack Army that made the trip to the south coast.

‘I thought they were fantastic today from the first minute and they were our 12th man on the pitch.’