Scotland at the double against Norwich
swanseacity.netThe Swans kept their play-off dreams alive with this hard fought victory over Norwich at the Liberty Stadium.
Roberto's side dominated early on and duly took the lead when Jason Scotland fired past David Marshall with a sweet left footed drive only for Alan Lee to level with a header just after the half-hour.
But the home fans only had to wait until five minutes into the second period for a second Swansea goal as Scotland picked himself up to convert a penalty to make it 2-1.
Despite an increased level of Norwich pressure the Swans held on to clinch a first victory since early March.
Roberto made three changes for the visit of Norwich City with Angel Rangel and Darren Pratley missing out through injury.
Full-back Rangel limped out of last Sunday's Welsh derby with a foot injury and was replaced by Fede Bessone while Joe Allen came in for Pratley who failed to overcome a stomach problem.
The final change was on the wing where Mark Gower dropped to the bench with Andrea Orlandi taking his place.
Swans: Dorus de Vries; Alan Tate, Garry Monk (C), Ashley Williams, Fede Bessone; Joe Allen, Leon Britton, Jordi Gomez, Nathan Dyer (Gorka Pintado, 85'), Andrea Orlandi (Shaun MacDonald, 67'); Jason Scotland.
Not Used: Mark Gower, Guillem Bauza, Albert Serran.
Norwich: David Marshall; Jon Otsemobor, Adam Drury (Lee Croft, 54'), Jason Shackell, Sammy Clingan, Gary Doherty, David Mooney, Simon Lappin (Cody McDonald, 78'), Darel Russell (Alan Gow, 85'), Ryan Bertrand, Alan Lee.
Not Used: Stuart Nelson (GK), Adrian Leijer.
Attendance: 15,783 Away: 692
Referee: G Salisbury
The Swans started this clash in typical fashion by keeping the ball for the first two minutes on a sunny day at the Liberty Stadium.
Once Norwich did get hold of it they weren't in possession long enough to cause the hosts any problems. And the first attempt at goal fell four minutes into the game as Jordi Gomez's free-kick was cleared, and four minutes later the winger turned provider from a left-sided corner.
His flag kick drifted over everyone in the box and fell to the feet of skipper Garry Monk, he took a touch and launched a powerful shot that beat 'keeper David Marshall but not the woodwork.
Top-scorer also got in on the act during a dominant first 15 minute spell for the home side as he struck twice past Marshall's right-hand post, the first from Fede Bessone's cross and the second after good build-up work along with Nathan Dyer.
Norwich had the home fans panicking for a moment on 27 minutes as Alan Lee outmuscled Ashley Williams whilst chasing Jason Shackell's long pass forward, the former Cardiff City striker got a toe to the ball and forced it past Dorus de Vries but, fortunately for the home side, it slid wide of the post.
But the Swans, however, switched the play around to go on the offensive and score a deserved opener. Play started right at the back with de Vries, found its way through the midfield and to the feet of
Jason Scotland, he turned and fired a powerful strike beyond Marshall and into the corner of the net.
Returning midfielder Andrea Orlandi also came close to scoring a second a moment later but his curling effort was off target.
But the Canaries, who hadn't created anything of note during the first half-hour apart from Alan Lee's poke past the post, managed to find a surprise leveller on 33 minutes as the striker peeled away from Ashley Williams to head Adam Drury's cross into the corner of the net.
Scotland had a goal ruled out for offisde almost immediately after and just before the break the same player headed just over the top of goal from Andrea Orlandi's floating free-kick from the right.
Half-Time: Swans 1 Norwich 1
Both sides went all out at the start of the second period but the first chance fell to Scotland two minutes in when his turn and shot was scooped wide by Marshall.
And the Trinidadian front-man had a second chance to add to his tally when the hosts were awarded a 50th minute penalty. Joe Allen was the architect when he turned Jon Otsemobor on the left and fed Scotland inside the area, he turned and was brought down leaving the referee with no choice but to award the spot-kick.
Scotland placed the ball on the spot before sending the 'keeper the wrong way to score his 23rd of the campaign.
And he set-up Orlandi moments later inside the area but, instead of hitting the target, he shot high into the South Stand from six-yards out.
The Swans had to deal with some pressure from the Canaries for a spell which saw Bryan Gunn's side force two corners off skipper Garry Monk.
Roberto made his first change of the afternoon on 67 minutes when Shaun MacDonald replaced Andrea Orlandi, and the youngster was involved straight away as he and Scotland combined to set-up Gomez from close-range only for the Espanyol loanee to fire over the top.
The Wales Under-21 international had a chance of his own 15 minutes from the end when his curling effort floated over the top of Marshall but was inches off target while a break away by Leon Britton led to Jordi Gomez shooting just past the upright.
With five minutes remaining Gorka Pintado was thrown on for the impressive Nathan Dyer and El Toro dived straight into the action as he almost latched on to a neat touch by Scotland but lost his footing when he could have gone through on goal.
The striker also went on a solo run in the final minute before sending his effort straight at Marshall while the visitors continued with their extensive spells of pressure on Dorus de Vries' goal.
Jordi Gomez also sent his effort straight at the legs of the 'keeper in injury time while Scotland, one-on-one, fired over.
But a strong defensive display kept the Canaries at bay and the Swans returned to winning ways to keep those outside hopes of reaching the play-offs alive.
