Opening-day memories: Part two
Ahead of the release of the 2018-19 Championship fixtures on Thursday (9am), we look back at some memorable Swansea City opening-day games.
In the second of three parts, we recall matches in Division Three and the Premier League.
Swans 4 Bury 2
Division Three – August 9, 2003
The Swans’ final game of the previous season was the 4-2 win over Hull City which preserved their Football League status.
They began the new campaign with another 4-2 victory, as Brian Flynn’s team gave a first sign that there were brighter times ahead.
There was a debut goal for Lee Trundle, while Brad Maylett rattled in a hat-trick on a sweltering day at the Vetch.
Manchester City 4 Swans 0
Premier League – August 15, 2011
The Swans’ first ever Premier League ended in a heavy defeat against the previous season’s champions, but the scoreline did not tell the whole story.
Brendan Rodgers’s men were level for almost an hour at the Etihad Stadium, passing the ball around impressively to give a first indication that their possession game could be effective at the highest level.
Edin Dzeko, David Silva and Sergio Aguero (two) scored in the last 33 minutes to give the hosts victory, but the Swans took heart from the nature of the defeat.
QPR 0 Swans 5
Premier League – August 18, 2012
Michael Laudrup’s first competitive game as Swans boss was a memorable romp in the Loftus Road sunshine.
Michu’s early goal gave the Swans a 1-0 half-time lead. The debutant netted again early in the second half, before Nathan Dyer scored twice in eight minutes and Scott Sinclair scored his final Swans goal late on.
