EFL Cup Flashback: Swansea City’s 2013 League Cup winning team

Championship side Swansea City travel to Premier League side Watford in the EFL Cup third round on Tuesday hoping to cause an upset.

It wasn’t too long ago though that the Swans were lifting the trophy when they defeated serial giant-killers Bradford City at Wembley in 2013.

Michael Laudrup guided Swansea to their first major silverware.

The Welsh side prevailed 5-0 on that day as they won their first major trophy in what was then a 101-year history.

But who were the Jacks’ heroes that day? Here’s a look back at Swansea’s historic League Cup winning side.

GK: Gerhard Tremmel

The German didn’t have much to do throughout the final but played a key part in previous rounds to help the Swans clinch the trophy. Was in goal in all seven matches and famously kept clean sheets in both semi-final legs against Chelsea. He is now a scout for the Swans.

RB: Angel Rangel

Right-back Angel Rangel was another integral part of Swansea’s team. Making 374 appearances for the Swans before leaving for QPR, where he still plays, in 2018, the Spaniard spent 11 years at the club.

CB: Ki Sung-yueng

Ki Sung-yueng transferred to Swansea from Celtic in 2012, signing for a then club-record fee of £6million. The South Korea international made 38 appearances in the EFL Cup winning season and was praised by fans for his passing style. He played 63 minutes in the final, featuring in the unfamiliar role of central defence.

CB: Ashley Williams

Williams played the match as captain as he had done for much of the season in Garry Monk’s absence. The Wales international amassed 319 matches for the Swans before leaving for Everton in 2016. He lifted the trophy with club-captain Monk.

LB: Ben Davies

Wales international Ben Davies came through the ranks at Swansea and played left-back in the final. He was substituted after 84 minutes but featured in every game in their League Cup campaign. Left the club a year later to join Tottenham Hotspur in 2014.

CM: Leon Britton

A fan favourite throughout his long career at Swansea, Leon Britton is now the club’s sporting director. He played a staggering 460 games for the Welsh side, which included a return after a year at Sheffield United. Britton also was caretaker manager following the sacking of Paul Clement in 2017.

CM: Jonathan de Guzman

De Guzman scored two goals in the final. He calmly slotted away from the penalty spot after Bradford goalkeeper Matt Duke was sent off for a tackle. The Netherlands international was determined to take the penalty and after a long and somewhat heated argument with Nathan Dyer, he found the bottom left corner for his second. Left for Napoli in 2014 and is now at Eintracht Frankfurt.

AM: Nathan Dyer

Scored two goals in the final, including the opener in the 16th minute, and was named Man of the Match. The winger also netted in the fourth round against Liverpool in a famous 3-1 win at Anfield. Dyer is still at the club he has made over 330 appearances for since joining from Southampton in 2009.

AM: Wayne Routledge

A Swansea player since 2011 after signing from Newcastle United, Wayne Routledge is still playing for the Liberty Stadium outfit in the Championship. He has played over 260 matches for the Jacks and featured in all of their League Cup games that year.

AM: Pablo Hernandez

The Spaniard played the full 90 minutes and was influential in Swansea’s good attacking play. He played in an advanced midfield role and linked up well with fellow countryman Michu. Now at Leeds United, the playmaker has won four senior caps for his country.

ST: Michu

A prolific striker during his time for Swansea, Michu was one of the players of the season throughout 2012/13. Scoring 22 goals in his first year. – including one in the final – the Spaniard then suffered with injuries and was sold to Langreo in 2015. The forward had to retire in 2017 and is now technical secretary of Real Oviedo.

Sub: Garry Monk

Legendary skipper Garry Monk played 270 games for the Swans over a 10-year playing spell. He then replaced EFL Cup winning manager Michael Laudrup as boss in 2014, beginning his reign with a 3-0 win over rivals Cardiff. Monk stayed in the position for nearly two years, recording famous victories against Manchester United, Arsenal and securing the club’s highest points tally in a Premier League campaign. Has since managed Leeds United, Middlesbrough, Birmingham City and is the current boss at Sheffield Wednesday.

Sub: Dwight Tiendalli

Introduced as a 78th minute substitute, replacing Nathan Dyer, the full-back played a part in Swansea’s historic day. The two-time Netherlands international was at the club for three years before departing. He has since had a spell with League One side Oxford United.

Sub: Roland Lamah

After signing a deal for Swansea in January 2013, Roland Lamah arrived just six weeks before the Wembley win. The winger was came off the bench in the 84th minute, replacing. In all, the five-time Belgium international only made 24 appearances for the Welsh side, scoring three goals, and now plays in the MLS for FC Cincinnati.

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