Played
October 20, 2012 3:00 PM BST
Liberty Stadium — Swansea
Referee:‬ M. Jones‎
Attendance:‬ 19696‎
 
67′ Michu
 
   
 
 

Player Ratings: Swansea 2-1 Wigan

In a whirlwind four-minute period in the second half, the hosts struck twice through Hernandez and Michu, with the Swans holding on despite Boyce's immediate response

By Andrew Kennedy

  • Michel Vorm
    4
    0
    2.50

    Michel Vorm

    Forced into an early save from Shaun Maloney which he dealt with well, and was unable to do anything about Boyce's inventive goal.

  • Chico
    5
    0
    2.50

    Chico

    Succeeded in keeping Di Santo and Kone largely quiet throughout the game.

  • Ashley Williams
    4
    0
    2.50

    Ashley Williams

    Went through large periods of the game untested, yet will have been disappointed to allow Wigan back into them game. Did well to prevent an outright comeback with the momentum firmly with the Latics at the end of the game.

  • Ángel Rangel
    3
    1
    2.50

    Ángel Rangel

    A good option down the flank, yet struggled against Beausejour, who was often allowed to cross far too easily.

  • Ben  Davies
    4
    1
    2.50

    Ben Davies

    The Welsh youngster continues to deputise for Neil Taylor at both club and country level, and once again proved himself an adequate replacement for the left-back.

  • Leon  Britton
    3
    1
    2.50

    Leon Britton

    Kept the ball ticking over nicely, and was metronomic throughout with his passing without making any real impact on the game.

  • Michu
    15
    0
    3.50

    Michu

    Deployed as a lone frontman, the Spaniard linked up nicely with Routledge throughout, and caused problems for the Wigan central defence by playing off the shoulder. His accuracy in front of goal was sometimes lacking, but aerially he dominated, rounding off his performance with a goal to temporarily give his side a 2-0 lead.

  • Pablo Hernández
    6
    1
    3.00

    Pablo Hernández

    While the Spaniard will take time to adapt to life at Swansea, he did show flashes of the talent that persuaded Laudrup to part with such a significant sum of cash - including a well-taken goal.

  • Wayne Routledge
    8
    0
    4.00

    Wayne Routledge Top of the Match

    Definitely the Swans most creative player, the wideman was a constant thorn in the side of the Wigan backline, particularly with 27-year-old revelling in a free role across the front three. Showed a great turn and spin in the build-up to Hernandez's opener.

  • Jonathan De Guzmán
    6
    1
    3.50

    Jonathan De Guzmán

    The midfielder was lively throughout, and certainly looks to make things happen, even if his vision doesn't quite come to fruition at times. Grabbed an assist when teeing up Hernandez for Swansea's opener.

  • Sung-Yong Ki
    15
    4
    2.00

    Sung-Yong Ki

    Will have been disappointed with his first-half display after a series of wayward passes. However, showed a distinct improvement in the second, and was ready to test Al Habsi from distance.

Substitutions

  • Nathan Dyer
    5
    0
    2.50

    Nathan Dyer

    Good cameo from the wideman, who helped the hosts stretch Wigan towards the end - even if they failed to capitalise.

  • Danny Graham
    3
    1
    2.50

    Danny Graham

    Did well after entering the fray in the second-half, and should have got his name on the scoresheet in stoppage time.

  • Ali Al Habsi
    1
    1
    2.50

    Ali Al Habsi

    Despite the home side enjoying the lion's share of possession, Al-Habsi's goal went largely untested until the second half. Things soon changed, however, and the shot-stopper may feel he could have done more to prevent Hernandez's opener.

  • Gary Caldwell
    0
    1
    2.50

    Gary Caldwell

    Looked less error prone than Boyce, but the reliable centre-back sometimes struggled with the aerial threat of Michu, who eventually made him pay with a well-taken header at the near post.

  • Emmerson Boyce
    0
    1
    2.00

    Emmerson Boyce

    Was sloppy when losing out to Routledge in the first half and fortunate not to see Swansea capitalise, and could have done better to prevent Michu doubling the hosts lead. Gave his side a lifeline with a great back heel however.

  • Iván Ramis
    0
    2
    1.50

    Iván Ramis Flop of the Match

    Will be massively disappointed to have been beaten so easily by Routledge for Swansea's opener.

  • Maynor Figueroa
    0
    2
    2.00

    Maynor Figueroa

    A difficult afternoon for the left-back, who was often beaten by Routledge and Rangel down the flank or forced into rash clearances.

  • James McCarthy
    0
    1
    2.00

    James McCarthy

    Quiet display in the centre of the park, although his scuffed effort led to Boyce grabbing a quick response for the Latics after Swansea sped out into a 2-0 lead.

  • James  McArthur
    0
    1
    2.00

    James McArthur

    The Scottish midfielder linked well with Kone in the opening stages, but as with the rest of his team, soon appeared less threatening as the game progressed.

  • Jean Beausejour
    1
    1
    2.50

    Jean Beausejour

    Can cut a frustrating figure but often looked threatening down the left-hand flank. Failed to capitalise on a perfectly-weighted through ball from Maloney when in on goal but made up for his sloppiness with a key interception to prevent De Guzman taking a first-half lead.

  • Arouna Kone
    0
    1
    2.50

    Arouna Kone

    Started brightly, holding the ball up well before teeing up Maloney for an early chance. Seemed to run out of steam as the game progressed, yet will feel aggrieved to have been denied the equaliser by the linesman's flag.

  • Franco Di Santo
    0
    1
    1.50

    Franco Di Santo

    Extremely quiet afternoon from the 23-year-old, who failed to contribute at all throughout his 80 minutes on the field. Replaced by Gomez.

  • Shaun Maloney
    0
    1
    2.50

    Shaun Maloney

    A solid display from the Scotsman, who showed good work ethic and attacking intent throughout. Could have done better with early chances in the first and second halves.

Substitutions

  • Ben Watson
    0
    1
    2.00

    Ben Watson

    Was a presence in midfielder, yet the ball often found its way through the Wigan midfield following his arrival as the game became increasingly stretched.

  • Jordi Gómez
    0
    1
    2.00

    Jordi Gómez

    Late cameo from the South American, whose biggest contribution was to unnecessarily foul Vorm in the final minute of stoppage time.

  • Mauro Boselli
    0
    1

    Mauro Boselli

    Late cameo in which the striker failed to make an impact.

Results
 
Player Ratings
Tournament
Position
Ranking
Top Scorers
Player   Goals Penalties
Robin van Persie Robin van Persie
Striker
Manchester United
26 3
Luis Suárez Luis Suárez
Striker
Liverpool
23 0
Gareth Bale Gareth Bale
Midfielder
Tottenham
21 0
C. Benteke C. Benteke
Striker
Aston Villa
19 3
Michu Michu
Midfielder
Swansea City
19 0