OPINION
As far as FA Cup clashes go, there’s probably nothing as heartbreaking as a nearly upset – a plucky underdog taking the lead against a giant of the game, only to be cruelly pegged back at the last.
That’s exactly what happened to Swansea City against Manchester City on Saturday evening, and the Swans can definitely feel rather aggrieved by some of the decisions that went against them.
The equalising penalty was never a penalty, and the winning goal was blatantly offside on replay, but despite all of that, there were some positives to be taken from the performance.
Chief amongst their star turns was on loan Tottenham defender Cameron Carter-Vickers, whose assured display at the back will no doubt have pricked up ears in north London.
The US international was unfortunate to be penalised for his challenge on Raheem Sterling that led City’s second, but that aside, he was exemplary.
Initially deployed as centre-back, he looked just as accomplished on the left side of defence when asked to relocate.
The versatility he showed, as well his brilliant reading of the game and his body on the line defending, were the markers of a player who has clearly matured massively during his time away from London, and if he can replicate that level of output on a regular basis, he must surely be a contender for a spell in the first-team with his parent club.
Not many would have expected any Swans player to cause Man City a headache on Saturday but Carter-Vickers was among those who defied expectations in order to impress.
On the showing of this display, big things could be around the corner for the young defender, and Spurs supporters will be rubbing their hands with glee.