FA Cup: Swans quarter-final memories

15th March
First team

Swansea City will play in the FA Cup quarter-finals for just the fifth time in their history when they face Manchester City on Saturday (5.20pm).

As the big game approaches, we look back at the Swans previous quartet of last-eight appearances in the famous knockout competition.

Swans 2 Arsenal 1

Vetch Field - March 6, 1926

The Swans certainly had plenty of momentum going into their first-ever FA Cup quarter-final.

They had won each of their last seven matches in all competitions ahead of facing First Division Arsenal at a packed Vetch Field.

The home side took a first-half lead when Len Thompson rounded off a neat move, while Jack Fowler’s rocket doubled the advantage after the break.

They were forced to dig deep when Arsenal pulled a goal back but did so effectively to book their place in the semi-finals.

Swans 1 Reading 3

Vetch Field - March 5, 1927

The Swans were not in as strong a shape heading into the same stage of the competition 12 months later.

Now under the guidance of Jimmy Thomson, they had won just one of their last five games in all competitions.

By contrast, Reading were on a roll off the back of a resounding 6-1 victory over Oldham Athletic the previous weekend.

On the day, the tie went with the form book as, despite Lachlan McPherson’s strike, the Swans succumbed to defeat against the Royals.

Liverpool 1 Swans 2

Anfield - February 29, 1964

The Swans had to wait 37 years before they next appeared in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup.

Trevor Morris’ men were struggling at the wrong end of the Second Division table ahead of travelling to Anfield, where they had lost on seven of their eight previous visits.

But remarkably, the Swans shocked the home crowd when they took a 2-0 lead after goals late in the first half from Herbie Williams and Eddie Thomas.

The visitors were clinging on after the break as Liverpool pulled a goal back but Noel Dwyer performed heroics in goal and, when Ronnie Moran missed a late penalty, they could celebrate what remains one of the most famous victories in the club's history.

Swans 0 Tottenham 3

Liberty Stadium - March 17, 2018

Fast-forward 54 years and the Swans were back in the last eight of the competition.

Carlos Carvalhal’s side needed replays to see off Wolverhampton Wanderers, Notts County and Sheffield Wednesday, but were now on the brink of only a third FA Cup semi-final appearance.

However, they faced their toughest test yet as Tottenham - seeking their first silverware since 2008 - arrived at the Liberty having lost just once in 2018.

And the tie quickly ran away from the hosts as Christian Eriksen helped himself to a brace either side of Erik Lamela’s strike on what was a comfortable afternoon for Mauricio Pochettino’s men.