SCREAMER BY CELINA EASES SWANS’ PATH
ASPECTACULAR strike from Bersant Celina was the pick of the goals as Swansea eased into the fifth round of the FA Cup with victory over Gillingham.
Oli McBurnie’s first-half double put Swansea in cruise control before Josh Rees gave Gillingham hope after the break with a fine header.
But that hope was ended in the most spectacular style as Celina found the top corner from 25 yards. Barrie McKay added another six minutes from time to see Swansea through to the last 16 of the FA Cup in consecutive seasons for the first time since the mid-1960s.
Swansea manager Graham Potter revealed Wilfried Bony was left out of the squad because of uncertainty over the striker’s future.
Bony, who rejoined Swansea in a £12million deal in August 2017, has been linked with a move away during this month’s transfer window.
Turkish club Galatasaray and Al-Sadd of Qatar are said to be leading the chase for 30-year-old.
Bony cost Manchester City £25m when he joined them from Swansea in 2015 and is understood to be the highest wage earner at the Liberty Stadium.
“I thought it was unfair to ask Wilf to be involved,” Potter said.
“I thought we would leave it until everything settles down and assess things after the window shuts.”
Gillingham’s Swanseaborn manager Steve Lovell admitted his homecoming was spoiled by the verve of Potter’s side.
Lovell’s father was a Swansea season-ticket holder and the Wales forward played for the club in the 1980s.
“I enjoyed it, apart from the result!” Lovell said.
“My dad would have loved to have been here to see this. He would have been proud – but also happy as Swansea won 4-1.”
Gillingham had upset Cardiff in the previous round, but Swansea, and McBurnie in particular, were intent on making a fast start.
McBurnie struck the post with a curled effort from 20 yards after six minutes and then diverted Matt Grimes’ free-kick inches wide.
But McBurnie was not to be deterred and, running on to Leroy Fer’s cross, he planted a powerful header past the despairing dive of Gills goalkeeper Tomas Holy.
McBurnie doubled the advantage after 32 minutes – his 13th goal of the season – when McKay flicked Connor Roberts’ pass into his path and he finished unerringly from 15 yards.
The Scotland striker came close to his first Swansea hattrick straight after the break when he headed Fer’s cross on to the roof of the net.
But Gillingham were boosted in the 51st-minute when Elliott List kept possession well near the corner flag and Rees met Mark Byrne’s cross to score with a flashing header.
Gillingham were suddenly asking questions with Eaves a useful focal point to their attacks, but McBurnie saw penalty claims turned down and Holy was alert to handle Grimes’ low drive.
Celina’s stunning drive gave Swansea breathing space before McKay added the gloss.