Flashback 2009 | Dyer and Scotland on target at Fratton Park
As Swansea City prepare for a trip to Portsmouth on Tuesday night, we look back on a memorable meeting between the sides in the FA Cup at Fratton Park back in 2009.
The Swans went into that contest unbeaten in their previous 10 matches, enjoying one of the best runs of form in the Championship.
Roberto Martinez’s side had enjoyed key January victories over Burnley and Reading ahead of their trip south, with their last defeat coming on November 21.
But facing the competition’s holders and Premier League oppposition at Fratton Park represented a significant challenge. However, the Swans rose to the occasion, producing an impressive performance to secure a 2-0 victory and book their place in the next round.
In an entertaining opening, the Swans found joy in midfield, with Joe Allen, Darren Pratley, Leon Britton and Jordi Gomez combining well and demonstrating the quality that had underpinned their impressive run of form.
At the time, Swansea were widely recognised for playing some of the best football in the division following their promotion to the Championship the previous season.
And with Portsmouth struggling towards the lower end of the Premier League, the visitors had reason to believe an upset was possible.
The Swans deservedly took the lead on 20 minutes following a well-worked attacking move. Nathan Dyer, on loan from Portsmouth’s arch-rivals Southampton, latched on to Gomez’s lofted pass before firing a superb effort beyond David James to send the travelling supporters into raptures.
Continuing to create chances while defending their own box well, the Swans eventually doubled their advantage on the stroke of half-time.
Jason Scotland found Gomez inside the area, where the Spaniard’s quick footwork drew a foul and earned his side a penalty after referee Andre Marriner had pointed to the spot.
Top scorer Scotland stepped up to convert, netting his eighth goal in as many games and taking his tally for the season to 13.
Despite facing a Portsmouth side boasting a host of high-profile names, including Peter Crouch, Jermaine Pennant and Sol Campbell, the Swans held on to secure a famous victory at Fratton Park and book their place in the fifth round of the competition.
But the Swans would also have Dimi Konstantopoulos to thank for some match-winning saves during the second half. The Greek, starting in place of regular Dorus de Vries, pulled off a number of impressive stops to keep Pompey at bay, much to the delight of the 3,000-strong travelling Jack Army.
Under Martinez’s guidance, Swansea would go on to finish eighth in their maiden Championship campaign, with their form in February and March seeing them fall just short of the play-off places.
Their FA Cup adventure would come to an end in the fifth round, with Fulham proving too strong, while they also exited the League Cup at the fourth round stage that season.
Scotland, who enjoyed a prolific campaign in south Wales, would go on to finish as the club’s leading goalscorer with 24 goals in all competitions.