Swansea City boosted their chances of holding on to their 8th place in the Premier League table after a convincing home win against Stoke City.
Some might think that there was a lack of importance surrounding this fixture. After all, there were plenty of vital fixtures involving the relegation-threatened clubs and this one – 8th vs 9th – was a typical one expected to be shown last on Match of the Day – and indeed it was.
But try telling Garry Monk before kick off that it was nothing-end-of-season game that meant nothing.
The difference between finishing 8th and 9th is worth an extra £1.25m, and the Swans boss is always setting high targets – in fact – the target is reset each week he says as they continue to break records. They had broken the highest points tally, 8th would be their best ever Premier League finish.
With Mark Hughes’ Stoke side just 3 points behind the Swans in 9th, and with the same goal difference, they knew that a win would see them swap places.
However, Stoke didn’t play like a side who were looking to gain 8th place, but rather a side content with 9th and looking forward to the Summer break.
This match wasn’t so much about tactics, but the difference in the two side’s desire and efforts.
The first half was a rather dull affair with both sides rarely testing the opposition goalkeeper.
Swansea & Stoke’s defensive approach
Both sides were happy to back off the opposition defence and allow them to have the ball in these areas, but there was still a difference in how both sides were able to get forward.
Stoke gave the likes of Fernandez and Shelvey plenty of space in Swansea’s half, and while Fernandez isn’t the best at playing long passes out from the back, Shelvey shouldn’t be allowed time and space to pick out passes.
Above shows how many Swansea players were able to be free to receive a pass in space, without any pressure from Stoke. Fernandez can easily play the ball into Cork, while Shelvey and Taylor are available to move the ball over onto the left side of the field.
Above and below shows the amount of time and space that Shelvey was allowed. The Swansea midfielder ran the show for home side as a result. He had the freedom to pick out passes and could push forward when necessary.
Stoke City were also given space in defence, but Swansea City managed the middle third much more effectively. The Swans had options to pass into the middle third, but Stoke were often forced to make long passes down the channels that Ashley Williams and Federico Fernandez were able to clear all day long.
Above, Swansea manage the middle third well. N’Zonzi is stuck for passing options and this forces the defenders to often play long balls forward (below).
You compare this with Swansea’s ability to play and pass their way up to the final third below.
Full back Angel Rangel has the freedom to run through the middle has Shelvey can easily pass to Montero. The winger has 4 or 5 yards of space – which we all know is far too many against a player of Montero’s skill and pace.
Not only that, but Stoke were leaving spaces in between the lines and just outside the penalty area.
Below, you can see Oliveira able to pick the ball up with not one player applying pressure. Rangel is still forward in a central position while Sigurdsson is also a passing option and is not marked either.
It wasn’t just the lone striker Nelson Oliviera able to get into this sort of space in these areas. Jonjo Shelvey was in all areas of the pitch such was his energy and desire in the match, and below he’s able to receive the ball in space just outside the box.
Stoke’s defence is incredibly narrow which allows both wingers to run in behind their full backs (circled). Stoke’s constant ball-watching meant that they never noticed this, but Swansea’s problems in the first half were not taking advantage of these moments – either due to poor passing or poor decision making.
Shelvey deserves a special mention as he pretty much ran the show for the Swans. He was found in all areas of the pitch, and he thrived when given so much time and space.
Below he was able to move forward in yards of space as Stoke’s ineffective “pressure” game continues.
Swansea’s full backs also begin to contribute more to their attacks as the game went on. There was a brief moment when they switched their wingers, with Montero moving to the left and Dyer to the right, and this gave the hosts a brief spell of momentum before they moved back to their original wings.
Below, Montero is back on the left – Stoke concentrate on double-marking the winger that allows Taylor space to receive the ball and work it inside to Shelvey, with Sigurdsson also available in that space just outside the penalty area.
Again, the Swans didn’t make enough use of these occasions but thankfully they upped the tempo and momentum in the second half, while Stoke’s lack of interest and intensity continued.
In the second half, Jack Cork was also given space in the middle third – an area of the pitch that Stoke managed poorly – even more so after the break.
Below shows how Ashley Williams could even push forward in support, while Taylor was often moving into central positions, and was unmarked to receive the ball and get it out wide to the danger man Montero.
With Oliveira off due to an injury, Emnes came on and he too had acres of space. Stoke’s shape was awful, Adam was useless trying to keep track of Swansea’s central players and N’Zonzi was no better either.
Below shows the space that Emnes could get into and Stoke’s complete lack of midfield.
The Swans really should have taken the lead when Dyer’s cross was met by Sigurdsson, but he headed a simple chance from 7 yards over the bar.
Above shows how easily the home side could move the ball out wide to the right to start an attack. Sigurdsson is only just inside Stoke’s half, but he can run right the way through the centre before getting on the end of Dyer’s cross. It’s set up perfectly for him but somehow he heads it over.
Swansea’s winger-full back link up play
The Swans were often causing problems down the left thanks to the link-up play of Montero and Taylor.
Montero was sometimes finding it difficult at times if and when Walters was getting back in support, but Taylor getting forward too allowed them to have the better of Stoke’s right-sided players.
Swansea’s opening goal
Swansea’s second half control and increased tempo got their rewards after 76 minutes, while Stoke were punished for a lack of shape and defensive commitment.
Like we said earlier, Shelvey was getting into all areas of the pitch, such was his desire and quality.
Below, Dyer moves the ball out wide to Shelvey, who is never closed down quickly enough. He’s able to keep the ball in play twice, can get past a defender before sending in a left-footed in-swinging cross for Montero to head home at the far post. The right back didn’t do enough to stop the winger from getting to the ball first.
Stoke’s sending off
Stoke’s sending off – Wilson after a second yellow – showed their frustrations and laziness.
Above, Stoke commit a foul on Emnes but Montero picks the ball up and goes on a bursting run through the three defenders (as two compete for the same ball).
Stoke are caught out due to a lack of defensive shape and discipline, but as he runs through, Wilson brings him down as the winger makes his way through on goal.
Swansea make it 2-0
Swansea City make it 2-0 in injury time and it was another example of some good, quick attacking play from the hosts and Stoke’s poor defensive shape.
They looked like they had given up by this point, after a 25-minute spell without a shot finally ended shortly after the Swans went in front, Stoke couldn’t adapt and change the game to stop Swansea’s control and ever-growing confidence.
Charlie Adam was useless in the middle, his laziness around the pitch and his lack of attacking creativity made you wonder why it took so long for his boss Mark Hughes to take him off.
Not only that, but their main striker Diouf barely saw a touch of the ball in the second half, and they desperately needed a target man like Crouch to hold up the play – as long balls were their only chance of getting forward.
Crouch didn’t make an appearance until the 80th minute, but he proved that he would have been a better option from the start having done a lot more in 10 minutes than Diouf did in 80.
Swansea’s second goal was a quick and simple move forward as Stoke’s poor defensive shape together with a man less meant there was trouble ahead late on.
Ki, the goalscorer, begins the move out wide on the right near the halfway line, and passes to Sigurdsson who instantly slips the ball forward to substitute Barrow.
The winger, back early from his loan at Nottingham Forest,has space to go on a run before picking out Shelvey’s run with a long cross towards the far post.
The Stoke defender is slow to track Shelvey and he pulls the ball back first time for Ki to finish.
It was a convincing performance from the Swans and one that was fully deserving of the three points.
Stoke City were surprising in terms of their lack of defensive qualities and poor shape, qualities that have helped them improve under Mark Hughes.
What was also surprising was their failure to deal and limit the threat of Swansea’s main threat, Shelvey, the wingers and Sigurdsson.
But Swansea deserve great credit again for the win, as they don’t seem to be prepared to relax as the season draws to a close. They looked as hungry as ever and they’re managing brilliantly despite a growing list of absentees.
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