Half-time rocket, a net gain for Abraham and leaving Leroy in charge
SWANSEA City overcame an early shock to book their place in the third round of the Carabao Cup with a 4-1 win over League One MK Dons.
It was not plain sailing for Paul Clement’s men, but a brace from Leroy Fer and further goals from Tammy Abraham and Jordan Ayew sealed an ultimately comfortable win.
Here, we look at the things we learned. Paul Clement gets what he wants, after some stern words From the outset Paul Clement had signalled an intention to go with a strong side at Stadium MK, mindful of the need to lift morale after a challenging start to the Premier League season.
Top-flight sides have so often rung the changes in this competition, but on this occasions it was Dons boss Robbie Neilson who made the most alterations, with seven to Clement’s four.
Ryan Seager’s strike amid a sluggish first-half Swansea display briefly threatened to see Clement’s hopes for a win ripped to shreds, but some stern words at the break had the desired impact and his side were muchimproved after the break.
He will know further improvement will be needed, after all facing a much-changed League One outfit is hardly direct preparation for the white heat of a Premier League fixture.
But his side are up and running with combinations bedding down and the taste of victory to enjoy. Cruel misfortune strikes Bartley It would be fair to say the decision to award Kyle Bartley a new four-year deal has not proven to be universally popular among Swansea City fans, but it would take a particularly cruel soul not to feel some empathy for the defender as injury struck.
Having had a superb season on loan at Leeds, Bartley has returned to Swansea determined to revive his Liberty Stadium career and prove to head coach Clement that he is a top-flight player.
He had featured in both Premier League fixtures so far, impressive as part of a back three against Manchester United, and he was largely untroubled in Milton Keynes until landing awkwardly in the closing stages.
It could not have come at a worse time for the former Arsenal man and one can only hope his lay-off is not too significant in length. Abraham up and running The very nature of being a striker at a new club in the modern game means it does not take long for fans and media to point out if you have yet to open your account.
While this was just the third game of his season on loan at the Liberty, you sensed it was bothering Tammy Abraham that he had yet to find the net.
He has been used to scoring regularly over the last 12 months and he was desperate to get up and running for the Swans, having netted three times in four pre-season outings.
His failure to convert following good work by Leroy Fer and Jordan Ayew in the early stages seemed to knock his confidence, and he found only frustration in his efforts to make amends.
But he started to settle down again once Swansea took the lead and his close-range finish from Ayew’s cross will have done the teenager the world of good before the trip to Selhurst Park. Carroll and Olsson hit their stride Clement’s strong selection was about getting a win, but it was also about allowing new combinations to settle into place, and there were signs of Abraham and Ayew beginning to form a better understanding up front.
But it was one combination that proved so effective last season that really caught the eye. Tom Carroll and Martin Olsson did not take long to hit it off in Swansea colours, as they showed with their interplay for Fernando Llorente’s second goal at Anfield in January.
They had not quite clicked so far this term, although they are not alone in that regard, but they used the opportunity to get back to what they do so well.
Time and again their interplay down the left proved too much for the Dons, with both men finding it easy to get into advanced positions.
The final delivery could have been better at times, but it was encouraging to see the two January acquisitions showing real authority on the front foot. Fer steps up when it matters A goal down and with their hosts beginning to believe an unlikely upset was on the cards, Leroy Fer stepped up to take the chance away from them.
The Dutchman took both his goals well, and turned in a good all-round display. There was the odd misplaced pass in possession, but his closing down led to a great chance for Abraham, while his angled balls over the top caused plenty of problems and nearly allowed Angel Rangel to get on the scoresheet.
He also did his fair share of work defensively and showed signs of why he has come to be seen as a senior figure and a leader in the Swansea dressing room.