In the early weeks, the alpha males from the Black Country have scented easy prey in the harsh wilderness in which the struggle for Championship supremacy is won. Only a week ago there had been idle talk of Mick McCarthy’s men as a team who were capable of leaving most of their opponents in their wake.
It was a Trinidadian called Scotland who was the talk of Wales last night. Jason Scotland’s brace was the tangible prize, after Jordi Gomez had inflicted an early wound, and he also struck the bar. It was the striker’s sheer vigour which, as his manager Roberto Marinez agreed, established the tempo of the game. “He was really bright,” said the Spaniard. “He looked strong, and showed a little magic.”
Goalkeeper Carl Ikeme’s first touch was retrieving the ball from the net after 26 seconds. Andrea Orlandi found Gomez and the Spaniard beat Ikeme for his third goal in four games. A collective stupor appeared to have overcome Wolves, but they cleared their heads and Andy Keogh scored a fine equaliser from David Edwards’ pass on 16 minutes.
Though Wolves looked positive again, Swansea were more threatening. Mark Gower’s beautifully delivered drive past Ikeme was disallowed because Gomez was in an offside position. Then Darren Pratley headed on a corner, and Scotland hit the ball against the bar.
Four minutes before the interval Scotland burst through and though Ikeme plunged at his feet, the striker forced the ball home.After 57 minutes Scotland’s dynamism was too much for Wolves, as he shot across Ikeme into the far corner. There was no way back for McCarthy’s men, although late on, Stearman had an effort cleared off the line.
Star man: Jason Scotland (Swansea)
Referee: T Kettle
Attendance: 17,556
Swansea: De Vries 7, Williams 6, Painter 7, Monk 7, Rangel 6, Britton 8, Pratley 6, Orlandi 7 (Tudur-Jones 63min) Gower 7 (Bauza 89min), Gomez 7, Scotland 9 (Pintado 72min)
Wolverhampton Wanderers: Ikeme 6, Collins 6, Stearman 7, Friend 5 (Vokes 51min, 6), Foley 6, Henry 6, D Edwards 6, Jones 6, C Edwards 6 (Shackell 80min), Keogh 7, Ward 6
Martinez praise for Swans hero Scotland
Swansea Evening Post
ROBERTO Martinez hailed two-goal hero Jason Scotland after Swansea City's impressive 3-1 win over Wolves.
Scotland scored either side of the break as Martinez's men beat the league leaders in arguably their most impressive performance of the season.
Jordi Gomez opened the scoring for the hosts in the 25th second when he cut in from the left before shooting home.
Andrew Keogh equalised soon after, only for Scotland to put Swansea ahead again in the 41st minute.
And he made sure of the points when he rattled home his second in the 57th minute.
"Jason looked sharp from the first second," said Martinez of the striker who was left out of the squad for the midweek victory at Preston.
"It was the first time he set the tempo for the team. He looked strong with the ball and showed a bit of magic as well.
"That tells you his confidence is there and it was the way to react after midweek."
The victory lifted Swansea up to seventh in the Championship.