Good evening and welcome to Sports Mole live text commentary of tonight's Capital One Cup quarter-final tie between Swansea City and Middlesbrough.
Both teams will feel like victory tonight could open up a genuine possibility of silverware following Arsenal's shock exit to Bradford City last night.
Michael Laudrup and Tony Mowbray have both promised to play strong sides, with a place in the competition's final four up for grabs at the Liberty Stadium.
Please not that kickoff is at 7.45pm.
Evening cup fans and welcome to live coverage of this week's third Capital One Cup quarter-final as Swansea City host Middlesbrough.
Both sides are enjoying impressive league campaigns but can move one step closer to February's Wembley showpiece with a win tonight.
Swansea are the second-highest ranked side still in the competition and will be looking to bounce back from last weekend's home defeat to Norwich City.
Michael Laudrup spoke earlier today of the importance of responding to the Norwich defeat and seizing a rare chance to help the Swans reach the semi-finals of a cup competition.
"From now until the beginning of February, I think there are many, many games... There's no time to stop. We have points in the bag and nobody can take them away from us, that is fantastic. But after losing to Norwich, we have to go and try to win against Middlesbrough."
Arsenal's shock penalty defeat to Bradford City has left the tournament wide open, with the Bantams booking a semi-final spot alongside Aston Villa last night.
Swansea have never reached a major final and before they can dream of walking down Wembley way they must negotiate a tricky tie against an in-form Middlesbrough side.
Tony Mowbray's side beat Sunderland at the Stadium of Light in the last round, continuing a run of 13 consecutive away fixtures in the League Cup.
Nearly 700 Boro fans have made the 642-mile round trip to the Liberty Stadium tonight in the hope of following Cardiff City's exploits in the competition last season.
Kickoff is under an hour away and we will have team news as soon as it reaches us.
Swansea have a number of injury worries, with Leon Britton, Pablo Hernandez and Michel Vorm all rated as doubtful.
Laudrup could hand summer signing Kyle Bartley a start after he was declared fit following three months out with a thigh injury.
Mowbray has promised to pick a strong team despite Boro's promotion push but will be without on-loan midfielder Josh McEachran, who is ineligible.
While I may regret bringing this statistic to your attention, the Swans have scored three times in each of their League Cup ties this season against Barnsley, Crawley Town and Liverpool. No pressure tonight then.
Boro are also a team with proven pedigree in the League Cup, having won the only trophy in their 136-year history nine seasons ago.
I can confirm that Leon Britton has been passed fit to play for Swansea in one of four changes to the team that lost to Norwich on Saturday.
Tremmel, Tiendalli, Monk, Chico, Davies, Britton, De Guzman, Michu, Dyer, Shechter, Routledge.
Laudrup has picked a relatively strong side, with only suspended Ashley Williams dropping out of their first-choice 11, to be replaced by club captain Garry Monk.
A bit of confusion over whether Itay Shechter or Danny Graham start in attack for the Swans but it seems the Israeli international has got the nod.
Let's get the Boro team news, with the unfortunate addition of a late failed fitness test.
Steele, Hoyte, Hines, Bikey, Friend, Ledesma, Leadbitter (Capt), Bailey, Haroun, Jutkiewicz, McDonald
Tony Mowbray has made five changes to the side which played Peterborough last weekend, with Jonathan Woodgate the most notable absentee.
Seb Hines comes in to replace Woodgate alongside Justin Hoyte, who is preferred to Stuart Parnaby at right-back.
Nicky Bailey takes the place of ineligible Josh McEachran while Lukas Jutkiewicz starts in attack with Scott McDonald.
A quick reminder of why tonight's tie holds such significance to both sides coming up...
Last night's quarter-final shock has the football world reeling after Arsenal went out on penalties to League Two side Bradford City.
Aston Villa are the only other side who have currently booked their semi-final spot after earning an impressive 4-1 victory over Norwich City.
Chelsea are the hot favourites to win the competition but will have to wait until next week to play their quarter-final grudge match against Leeds United.
A victory tonight would mean so much to Swansea, who have never traveled to Wembley on cup final day.
Both sides are about to take the field for the first ever League Cup meeting between Swansea and Boro.
A freezing cold Liberty Stadium has thankfully steered clear of more adverse conditions sweeping the UK. We have a game on our hands, with a place in the Capital One Cup semi-finals at streak. Bring it on.
Laudrup looks a relaxed figure on the touchline as per usual while referee Lee Probert issues some last-minute instructions.
The match is underway, with a quick reminder that the tie must be settled this evening, with extra-time and penalties a distinct possibility between two in-form sides.
Boro get us underway and instantly carve out a chance on goal as McDonald cushions down a long pass from Ledesma, but Leadbitter is unable to make sufficient contact in the penalty area.
The visitors are enjoying plenty of possession in the first few minutes and look up for the task in-hand.
Boro have gone long twice in the opening stages to McDonald, who looks to be the most prominent threat for the Championship side.
Britton gets his first touch on the ball, finding Dyer in space as Swansea aim to get a foothold in the match.
This is more like it from the home side, who muster their first strike at goal through Michu, who has a powerful drive from distance blocked away.
A pattern of play has been established, with Swansea probing in their trademark patient style while Boro look to counter quickly.
Jutkiewicz aims a header into the arms of Tremmel from another punt upfield.
Ten minutes gone and the travelling Boro faithful will be pleased with the start they have made.
Michu cuts a frustrated figure after seeing his crossfield ball cannon off the referee to a Red shirt.
Wayne Routledge puts the first meaningful cross into the danger zone for Swansea but Hines is in a good position to clear ahead of the advancing Dyer.
Hines is in the thick of the action early on, dispossessing Michu before seeing his through ball drift inches ahead of Jutkiewicz, who was unmarked in the area.
Swansea right-back Dwight Tiendalli is inexplicably caught offside after receiving a neat pass from Dyer.
It's worth noting while the match is in a lull that competition sponsors Capital One laid on coaches for 500 Boro fans to make the 642-mile round trip from the north east tonight. Tip of the cap!
Boro continue their bright start as George Friend nips down the left to flash an inviting cross into the box. Swansea clear but only as far Nicky Bailey, who aims a shot harmlessly wide from distance.
Friend is at it again just a minute later, reaching the byline before pulling back to Leadbitter, who forces a save with a low shot into the corner. In truth he probably should have done better from around 12-yards out.
Swansea string eight passes together deep into Boro territory, but Routledge loses possession in a forward burst. Just about sums up a frustrating start for the Premier League side.
Chico aims a wayward diagonal ball out for a throw-in, which has Laudrup out of his dugout for the first time this evening.
Jutkiewicz controls the ball in the final third before finding Ledesma out wide. He delivers a smart in-swinging cross into the six-yard box which requires a firm De Guzman header to reach safety.
Friend proves a strong outlet for Boro once more, but his final delivery fails to reach Jutkiewicz at the far post.
Dyer uses his pace to break and cut inside on the edge of the area but Hines gets a vital block on the winger's curling drive.
Michu and Shechter exchange passes in the area but the Israeli forward cannot meet the return ball. Missed chance there for the Swans.
Routledge wins the first corner of the match in the 33rd minute. De Guzman takes it but Haroun clears for the visitors.
A header from Shechter looks to drifting wide before taking a deflection of Dyer. Jason Steele scrambles in goal before adjusting to make a routine save.
Leadbitter spurns the best chance of the match for Boro. Haroun picked out the midfielder in space with a clever pass, but he can only send the shot straight into Tremmel's waiting gloves.
Jutkiewicz wins a corner with a dart out right. Ledesma takes it but Tremmel clears with a big punch.
Haroun robs Leon Britton in midfield, a rare mistake from Swansea's pass master.
Tiendalli thinks he's fouled deep in Boro territory but the referee disagrees. The full-back stands and appeals as McDonald runs away with possession. I'm sure the Swansea fans will be less than happy with that. PLAY TO THE WHISTLE.
Dyer tries to break and gets one-on-one with Andre Bikey. The Cameroonian does well not to be fooled by a drop of the shoulder and makes in important interception.
Tony Mowbray is furious as Leadbitter gets the evening's first yellow card for a late lunge on Ben Davies. Leadbitter also reacts angrily, he feels that was a genuine 50-50 challenge.
Nathan Dyer ends the first half with a shot on target from distance, with Steele equal to a shot from range.
Swansea Corner Davies runs into the final third and finds Michu, who has a shot deflected wide for a corner.
Bikey clears for another corner. De Guzman sends in another dangeruous cross but Nicky Bailey is well placed to clear.
A frustrating half for the home side ends goalless. Grand Leadbitter had two clear-cut chances to put Boro ahead in an encouraging half for the visitors.
Swansea named a strong side but have struggled to provide service for goal-machine Michu. Boro look settled and have had marginally more to offer in the first 45 minutes.
Laudrup's side need to get their wing wizards Routledge and Dyer more involved if they want to progress to the competition's final four for the first time.
A die-hard contingent of 700 Boro fans will be pleased with the spirit shown by the Championship side throughout the opening period. George Friend looked lively at left-back while Leadbitter and Ledesma enjoyed plenty of possession in midfield.
Swansea have a number of attacking options on the bench if Laudrup feels the need to make changes. Luke Moore, Ki and Danny Graham will all be keen to prove their worth if given the chance.
Both teams are back on the field and it's time for the second half.
The home side get us underway and settle down in possession.
George Friend ventures forward down the left wing once more and wins his side an early corner.
Leadbitter swings one into the goalmouth but Tremmel uses his size and strength to palm away.
Tiendalli repeats the trick and wins Swansea a corner just a minute later.
De Guzman's cross fails to beat the first man and Boro break. Justin Hoye finds himself in the rarefied air of the Swansea penalty area, but a rush of blood sees him smash the ball wide rather than pick out Ledesma in the area.
Boro attack once more as Haroun sprays a crossfield ball to Friend, but this time his cross is blocked.
Bailey has enjoyed his fair share of possession in a deeper midfield position. His incisive pass finds Leadbitter, who forces Tremmel to make a routine save with a long-range strike.
Shechter finds space to turn in the area and picks out Dyer, but the chance is snuffed out by Haroun, who does well to clear.
There's movement on the Swansea bench, looks like Luke Moore is ready to come on for the home side.
Moore is on to replace Shechter less than ten minutes into the second half. No messing about from Michael Laudrup, who must be desperate to avoid extra-time this evening.
Jutkiewicz is inches away from reaching a cross from Ledesma at the far post. Nice try from Boro who continue to threaten.
Luke Moore races onto a flick from Routledge and looks ready to meet the ball but is seemingly blocked by Andre Bikey. Moore goes down, Bikey falls the floor and stays down but the referee gives nothing to either side.
Bikey may well have got away with that one, using all his experience to deny a goalscoring opportunity to Moore.
Boro quickly respond to win another corner but Leadbitter fails to beat the first defender at the near post.
Ledesma sends another smart cross to Jutkiewicz from the clearance. He makes contact but can't force a looping header on target.
End-to-end stuff but both sides still lack any cutting edge. This time its Routledge who makes a yard of space before sending a cross harmlessly into Steele's arms.
Ben Davies darts down the right-hand side before seeing his cross blocked by Hines for a Swansea corner.
Haroun has picked up a knock and needs to come off before the corner is taken. Richard Smallwood is stripped and ready to replace the midfielder.
Andre Bikey has also limped to the touchline and will be replaced by Andre Halliday.
Make that three changes, all before the corner is taken as Ki is introduced in place of Wayne Routledge.
After a two-minute delay De Guzman fails to get a fourth successive corner past the first Red shirt. Just typical.
Just to clarify that's Halliday, Smallwood and Ki now on the pitch. All very confusing, let's hope it livens things up at both ends.
Leadbitter beats Britton and establishes possession for Boro but then sends a lofted ball out for a goal kick. Mowbray is out of his seat to reprimand the midfielder.
Davies has found himself in a number of advanced areas throughout the second half but has so far failed to deliver a meaningful cross. That trait continues has the full-back passes harmlessly to Halliday from the byline.
Luke Moore has the ball deep in the penalty area but has two shots blocked in quick succession by Justin Hoyte. About as close as the home side have come to an opening in this match.
Swansea are beginning to dominate possession and have another corner after Michu's shot was blocked from close range.
Friend clears the resulting corner and McDonald races wide to give the Boro backline a welcome breather.
Swansea win back possession and a free-kick just outside the area after Bailey flew in on Dyer. The Boro midfielder seemed to get a touch on the ball but is booked for his late lunge.
De Guzman is so unlucky not to give Swansea the lead as a curling free-kick is tipped onto the crossbar by Steele. The best effort of the match by some distance.
Boro are 15 minutes away from extra-time and have definitely dropped deeper as a result.
Dyer and Moore exchange a neat one-two in the final third but Moore fails to pick out Michu, who had made a forward run beyond the Boro defence.
Swansea are furious as Lee Probert waves away a strong penalty appeak. Ki did brilliantly to control a diagonal pass from De Guzman before cutting inside Hines, who brought down the Korean. Probert waves away frenzied protests from the Swansea forwards.
Hines in involved once again, producing a fine late block to deny Michu a clear shot on goal.
De Guzman has two corners cleared by Hoyte but his third attempt is met by Seb Hines, who turns the ball into his own net. A cruel way to go behind for the visitors.
That's cruel on Boro in an even match, with Mowbray making an instant change, bringing on Ishamel Miller to try and find a late equaliser.
Miller picks up the ball almost instantly but can only send a tame shot straight to Tremmel from distance.
Boro break as Halliday robs Dyer but Ledesma loses out Ki and the attack is brought to an end.
A terrific strike from Friend forces Tremmel to tip behind for a corner. Late pressure from the visitors.
A gilt-edged chance for Boro from Leadbitter's corner. It's Seb Hines involved again, who has somehow managed to send a header over from two yards out. Inexplicable miss from the defender with just two minutes left. Tremmel is down but I'm sure the goal would have stood.
Boro win a free kick but before the cross is delivered they are penalised for push.
The fourth official signals five additional minutes to give the small band of Boro fans heart.
Steele pumps the ball long but Miller is beaten in the air by Chico.
Halliday wins it back and Boro have numbers forward. Ledesma crosses but Ki gets the ball clear.
Dyer finds Michu who in turn sends the ball forward to Moore. The substitute takes a touch before lashing a shot well wide of the target.
Dyer provides an outlet once more as the home side run down the clock. De Guzman has other ideas and races into the box and thinks he's won a corner, but once again Lee Probert disagrees.
Boro have another great chance go begging in the final moments. Miller races clear down the wing and flashes a cross into the area. McDonald is at full stretch but he cannot connect, and with that Boro's League Cup campaign is over.
The referee brings the match to an end and Swansea City have sneaked through to their first ever League Cup semi-final, just about. An own goal from Seb Hines made the difference but Boro spurned a number of good openings and were unlucky not to force extra-time tonight.
Michael Laudrup's side just did enough late in the match and join Aston Villa and Bradford City in confirming their place in the final four.
Swansea are now just a two-legged tie away from their first ever Wembley final.
That brings to an end our coverage of a a hard-fought cup tie. Thanks for joining us and be sure to check in with Sports Mole for live coverage of every major match in league and cup from England and across the continent. Goodnight!
Written by
Liam Power
Liam Power
