Everton gave Swansea their first home defeat of the season with a comprehensive victory in South Wales as they emphasised their greater quality.
Swansea Vs. Everton: Final Score 3-0 As Swans Get Stuck In Toffee
Swansea suffered a 3-0 home defeat to Everton in a game in which everything seemed to go wrong for the home side.
The Toffees have never lost to the Swans, and they looked set to continue that record from the first whistle as they immediately took control of the game. It took them twenty-one minutes to put themselves in the lead through Victor Anichebe's close-range volley, although Swansea had a case to protest when it was revealed that Marouane Fellaini handled the ball in the build-up.
Despite Everton's dominance, they could have easily entered half-time level as Swansea continued to provide a threat, their few attacks all producing good chances, with Michu and Ki Sung Yeung both going close.
Eventually though, Everton went in at the break with the advantage they deserved. Michel Vorm had put on a brave performance, but could not stop Everton's attack alone after Mirallas headed home his own rebounded shot that the Swans keeper had pushed onto the bar.
Swansea continued to press for a goal, and Everton were given a huge let-off when Angel Rangel surged forwards from right-back and, after being denied by Howard, contrived to miss an easy chance from almost point-blank range.
After the break, Swansea's task was made impossible when they were reduced to ten men, Nathan Dyer picking up his second yellow card of the game after being on the pitch for just twelve minutes. Both were frustratingly avoidable, the first for dissent and the second a clumsy, reckless challenge on Leighton Baines.
Everton were now looking to extend their advantage, and after Mirallas rattled the crossbar, Fellaini eventually provided the third, charging into the box to head home Leighton Baines’ cross.
Despite their disadvantage in numbers, Swansea were still unlucky not to pull one back, as Jonathan De Guzman crashed a late free-kick off Tim Howard's crossbar.
In all, despite Everton's dominance, they were fortunate to win the game by three goals, owing a lot to Nathan Dyer's red card and Swansea's poor finishing. The Swans, oddly, seemed the opposite of last season: unable to control the game, but able to create clear chances with almost every attack. Michael Laudrup is undoubtedly doing good work in South Wales, but at present Swansea remain an unknown quantity. The Dutchman will have to bring back Swansea's discipline and organisation from last season if he hopes to make genuine progress.
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