On this day: Swans stun Hammers

On this day in 1999 Swansea City defied all odds by beating West Ham 1-0 in an FA Cup third-round replay at the Vetch Field, despite sitting 73 places below them in the English football pyramid.

Having been denied victory by a late West Ham equaliser at Upton Park in the original tie, the Swans’ welcomed Harry Redknapp’s Hammers - who were sitting eighth in the Premier League - to South Wales.

The visitors created a handful of early chances with former Swans’ loanee Frank Lampard impressing on his return to the Vetch Field, heading wide on the 10-minute mark before forcing keeper Roger Freestone into an excellent save soon after.

Swansea midfielder Martin Thomas came close to breaking the deadlock mid-way through the first half when he beat Hammers’ goalkeeper Shaka Hislop, but his shot struck the crossbar.

Thomas would get his goal just eight minutes later however, firing into the bottom corner from 25 yards.

The visitors pressed for an equaliser but were denied by Freestone - who was magnificent on the night - as the Swans’ ran out 1-0 winners and became the first Third Division side to knock a Premier League side out of the FA Cup in the process.