AGUERO IN AT DEATH WRECKS IT FOR SWANS
SWANSEA City squandered the chance of an amazing giant-killing act as they threw away a two-goal lead to lose at the death to quadruple-chasing Manchester City.
The Welsh side enjoyed a two-goal cushion until the 69th minute thanks to a Matt Grimes penalty and a beauty from Manchester City old-boy Bersant Celina.
But three goals in 19 minutes – from Bernardo Silva, a Kristoffer Nordfeldt own-goal and sub Sergio Aguero – kept the visitors on course to win four trophies this season.
Two of the Premier League side’s goals were mired in controversy. A soft penalty brought the equaliser, with Aguero’s spot-kick striking a post and hitting Nordfeldt on the way out, and the Argentina striker looked to be offside when he headed home the winner two minutes from time.
Potter’s side came within 21 minutes of producing one of the FA Cup’s greatest shocks and reaching their first semi-final for 55 years.
The Swansea boss adopted a bold approach despite being without 18-goal top scorer Oli McBurnie through illness. They pressed high to win possession, a risky strategy given their rivals’ ability to bypass opponents quickly and reach the box in a matter of seconds.
Leroy Sane and Riyad Mahrez almost profited from rapid transitions before Bernardo Silva’s firm shot tested Nordfeldt. Swansea carried their own counter-attacking weapon, with Daniel James’ pace troubling both Kyle Walker and Nicolas Otamendi in one devastating burst.
But it was still a surprise when Swansea took a 20th-minute lead, Connor Roberts accepting Mike van der Hoorn’s ball to induce a rash challenge from Fabian Delph.
Grimes swept home the spotkick for only his second Swansea goal in over four years at the club, and they soon added a second.
Swansea put together a delicious move from back to front with James again heavily involved. The Wales winger fed Nathan Dyer and his pass was swept into the top corner by Celina.
David Silva somehow missed from a yard out and the suspicion grew that this was not to be City’s day when Gabriel Jesus prodded wide after the restart.
City sent on Raheem Sterling and Aguero as their situation became increasingly perilous.
But Roberts mis-kicked in his own penalty area to allow Aguero a sight of goal.
Aguero’s effort struck Jay Fulton in the face, but the ball found its way to Bernardo Silva and he flashed an unstoppable shot past Nordfeldt.
Sterling then tumbled under Cameron Carter-Vickers’ challenge and Aguero’s spot-kick struck a post and hit Nordfeldt before crossing the line. Nordfeldt pulled off an amazing double save to deny Jesus and Aguero, before Bernardo Silva crossed and Aguero evaded both defenders and a linesman’s flag to stoop and conquer at the near post.