Year in review | March
Our review of 2019 continues as March goes under the spotlight.
The Swans welcomed Bolton Wanderers to the Liberty in the opening match of the month. Two late goals helped the Swans to defeat nine-man Bolton 2-0 in a one-sided affair at the Liberty. Oli McBurnie struck his 17th goal of the season with nine minutes left before sub Bersant Celina rounded off victory in additional time.
Less than a week later, a stunning Emi Buendia strike condemned the Swans to defeat at Norwich on a sodden night at Carrow Road before managerless West Brom claimed a 3-0 victory at The Hawthorns as the Swans were made to pay the price for missing a fourth penalty of the campaign.
There was unprecedented media coverage as the Swans were one game away from a trip to Wembley for the semi-finals of the FA Cup. There was the small matter of facing Premier League champions Manchester City at the Liberty as Graham Potter’s men looked to prove doubters wrong.
The Swans produced a performance of tremendous character, and no little quality, but were denied just a third FA Cup semi-final appearance in heartbreaking fashion by Man City.
The Swans had stunned their much-fancied opponents by sweeping into a 2-0 lead inside half an hour.
Matt Grimes converted from the spot for the first, before Bersant Celina finished a flowing Swansea attack against his former club.
Bernardo Silva pulled a goal back for Guardiola’s men in the 69th minute, before a controversial penalty allowed City to level.
That left the tie heading for extra-time but, with two minutes remaining, Sergio Aguero expertly headed Bernardo Silva’s cross into the net to deny the Swans a trip to Wembley.
Just two days later, Trevor Birch was appointed as Swansea City chairman. The former chief executive of Chelsea, Everton, Leeds United, Sheffield United and Derby County took over the day-to-day control of all football and business matters.
After the international break, the Swans were condemned to a fourth consecutive defeat after Nottingham Forest struck late on to win 2-1 at the City Ground.
The Swans had looked on course for victory when George Byers’ volley deflected in off Connor Roberts with 14 minutes left.
But two goals from two corners sunk the Swans in a game which was in their hands for large parts.
Sub Daryl Murphy put Forest back on level terms four minutes later as the hosts reacted quickly to falling behind.
Then, with two minutes left, Molla Wague headed in another corner to keep Forest’s play-off bid on track.
