SWANSEA CITY HAVE tonight secured a place in the Capital One Cup final after goalless draw with Chelsea at the Liberty Stadium.
Michael Laudrup’s side had carried a two-goal lead into the game from their first-leg win at Stamford Bridge.
And that cushion would prove good enough to install them as favourites to lift the trophy in a final with League Two’s Bradford City after holding Rafa Benitez’ side scoreless over 180 minutes.
The game was marred by a 77th minute which resulted in Chelsea winger Eden Hazard being issued a red card after a confrontation with a ball boy.
“Demba Ba told me that the boy held onto it,” Swansea captain Ashley Williams told Sky Sports after the final whistle.
“I saw him (Hazard) kick him in the ribs, and you can’t do that.”
In his post-match press conference Laudrup predicted that Hazard would quickly see the error of his ways, and said the club had not instructed their ball boys to waste time by holding onto the ball when it went out of play.
“I saw it from very distant, obviously from the bench, and just saw it (again) after the game,” he said. ”I think Hazard is a great player. I think when he sees the images on TV, he will regret it.”
On suggestions the ball boy was deliberately holding up play, Laudrup said: “No, definitely not. He was pushed and he was on top of the ball.
“I can understand you’re frustrated when you’re behind and your pulse is going, but there are things you should never do.”
Additional reporting - © AFP, 2012
