The Asian Age

Swans hit 8 in Notts rout

- — AFP

London, Feb. 7: Swansea racked up the biggest FA Cup win in their history as Tammy Abraham and Nathan Dyer inspired an 81 thrashing of Notts County in Tuesday’s fourth round replay.

Despite fielding a muchchange­d side, Swansea settled any potential nerves with two goals in the space of as many first- half minutes at the Liberty Stadium.

Swansea striker Abraham put the Premier League club in front from close range on 18 minutes, with Dyer swiftly adding another on the break.

Dyer made it 3- 0 on the half- hour with a low shot from the edge of the penalty area, before Noor Husin got County on the scoresheet after 36 minutes.

There was, though, to be no fairytale comeback for the League Two promotion chasers, as Abraham scored again in first- half stoppage time.

Kyle Naughton made it 51 with a deflected volley following a corner on 53 minutes and Wayne Routledge curled in a sixth before midfielder Tom Carroll crashed home a well- taken seventh on 65 minutes. Daniel James marked his debut with a goal on 84 minutes to complete the rout.

Swansea’s demolition job means boss Carlos Carvalhal can look forward to a fifth round trip to Sheffield Wednesday, the Championsh­ip club who sacked him earlier this season.

Carvalhal has made an impact since arriving at the Liberty Stadium just a few days after departing the Owls on Christmas Eve, with Swansea beating both Liverpool and Arsenal to drag themselves out of the Premier League relegation zone.

“It is important if it is the best result in the history ( of the club), but the most important thing is the attitude of the players that made all the difference,” Carvalhal said.

“I spoke to them before the game that we have a challenge tonight. I am very proud of the players as they accepted the challenge.”

Top- flight strugglers Huddersfie­ld will face Manchester United in the fifth round after winning 4- 1 at second- tier Birmingham after extra time.

Rochdale, struggling in League One, caused an upset as they beat Championsh­ip side Millwall 1- 0 to book a fifth round home date against either Tottenham or Newport.

With Millwall fielding a weakened team, Ian Henderson ignored the dreadful condition of the Spotland pitch to settle a scrappy game when he slotted home from close range after 53 minutes.

 ?? — AFP ?? Swansea City players celebrate their 8- 1 win over Notts County in their FA Cup fourth round replay match at the Liberty Stadium in Swansea on Tuesday.
— AFP Swansea City players celebrate their 8- 1 win over Notts County in their FA Cup fourth round replay match at the Liberty Stadium in Swansea on Tuesday.

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