Blackburn Rovers caused a minor upset in the FA Cup fourth round on Saturday when they defeated nine-man Swansea City 3-1 at Ewood Park.
Swansea's afternoon took a downward turn with just five minutes played when Kyle Bartley was shown a red card for bringing down Joshua King as the Rovers forward was trying to get through on goal.
Despite being down to 10 men, the visitors took the lead on 21 minutes as Gylfi Sigurdsson found the net with a ferocious strike from 25 yards.
However, the home side levelled moments when Chris Taylor controlled the ball in the box before lashing a volley past Lukasz Fabianski.
Rovers got themselves in front on 78 minutes thanks to an instinctive strike from Rudy Gestede before Craig Conway sealed the victory late on with a low shot that somehow squirmed past Fabianski.
Swansea's day then ended in the same way as it began as Sigurdsson was given his marching orders for a reckless challenge from behind on Taylor.
Read Sports Mole's minute-by-minute report to find out how all of the action unfolded between the two teams.
Good afternoon and welcome to Sports Mole's live text coverage of today's FA Cup fourth-round clash between Blackburn Rovers and Swansea City at Ewood Park. It's the Championship versus the Premier League, but who will come out on top? Without further ado, let's take a look at the team news...
BLACKBURN: Eastwood; Henley, Duffy, Kilgallon, Olsson; Taylor, Lowe, Williamson, Conway, Cairney; King
BLACKBURN SUBS: Steele, Hanley, Dunn, Brown, Rhodes, Marshall, Gestede
After seeing his side draw 1-1 with Wigan Athletic in the Championship last weekend, Blackburn boss Gary Bowyer has made six changes to his starting lineup today. The likes of Jordan Rhodes and Rudy Gestede are on the bench, while Simon Eastwood, Adam Henley, Shane Duffy, Chris Taylor, Lee Williamson and Joshua King are all given the nod.
SWANSEA: Fabianski; Rangel, Bartley, Amat, Tiendalli; Carroll, Shelvey, Dyer, Sigurdsson; Barrow, Gomis
SWANSEA SUBS: Tremmel, Naughton, Fernandez, Fulton, Emnes, Montero, Oliveira
Following on from their 5-0 thrashing at home to Chelsea last Saturday, Swansea manager Garry Monk has made five changes for this afternoon's clash. Angel Rangel, Kyle Bartley, Jordi Amat, Jonjo Shelvey and Modou Barrow all come in to the side, while new signing Kyle Naughton is given a place on the bench. Swans captain Ashley Williams misses out with a shoulder problem.
Blackburn boss Gary Bowyer: "We are playing a Premier League team who are very pleasing on the eye. Outside the big boys they are one of the most pleasing to watch in terms of how they go about the game.
"We understand with the way that they play, there will be spells in the game where they will have a lot of the ball. We know that whoever we pick has got to be right at it and take the challenge on.
"It is how organised we are and how disciplined we will be, we've prepared in the right manner, we feel that there are areas for us to exploit that we might be able to cause them some trouble and try and win the game."
Swansea manager Garry Monk: "We want to put [our 5-0 defeat to Chelsea] right. We want to go on a cup run. When you have a result like that - and I've played in games where unfortunately I've been on the end of those type of results - you cannot wait for the next game to come.
"We have moved on from that. We had a good chat with the players as soon as they were back in and we are ready to go on the weekend."
When it comes to FA Cup pedigree, Blackburn trump Swansea by some margin. Rovers have won the competition an impressive six times, while the Swans have failed to lift the trophy during their 103 years in existence. Blackburn's last triumph came back in 1928. Their last appearance in the final was 1960 when they were beaten 3-0 by Wolverhampton Wanderers.
In terms of domestic form, both of these sides have shown plenty of inconsistency in recent weeks. Rovers currently sit in 10th place in the Championship table, eight points adrift of the playoff positions, thanks to just one victory in their last six games. Meanwhile, Swansea sit in ninth place in the Premier League standings after failing to win any of their previous four matches.
Of course, this weekend's FA Cup action got underway last night with a remarkable result at the Abbey Stadium as League Two outfit Cambridge United held the mighty Manchester United to a goalless draw. The U's did a great job of stifling the Red Devils and thoroughly deserve their replay at Old Trafford. You can read all about that game here.
Could we see an upset this afternoon? Swansea won't be daft enough to underestimate Blackburn - who are more than capable of progressing - but stranger things have happened. Rovers also have Jordan Rhodes and Rudy Gested to call from the bench, two players who could make the difference when it counts.
While Cambridge were delighted to earn a replay against Manchester United last night, both Blackburn and Swansea will be eager to avoid a similar situation today. Rovers are still battling away for promotion to the Premier League, while the Swans still have the chance to secure European qualification. Another fixture in midweek is the last thing that either manager would want.
The teams are starting to emerge from their respective changing rooms at Ewood Park as we edge closer to kickoff. This match has all the makings of an entertaining affair - let's just hope that it lives up to it. There is still plenty of magic left in the FA Cup.
KICKOFF! The players are out, the pre-match handshakes have been done, and it will be Swansea to get us underway. Today's referee is Craig Pawson. Here we go!
It's been a fairly scrappy start to the match, though it's the hosts who are looking that bit more in control so far. It must be said that it's sad to see so many empty seats inside Ewood Park. Huge chunks of the ground are unoccupied.
RED CARD! KYLE BARTLEY (SWANSEA)
Now then! Swansea are down to 10 men as Bartley is shown a straight red card for bringing down King. The Rovers forward, who has bags of pace, races onto a long ball over the top before being felled by the Swansea defender, who is the last man. The resulting free kick on the edge of the box is saved by Fabianski before the visitors clear the danger.
SWANSEA SUB: The visitors are forced into a change now as Federico Fernandez replaces Tom Carroll. That red card has given Rovers fans and players alike a big boost. Was it a fair dismissal? Despite looking like a bit of a tangle involving both players, Bartley was the last man.
We've not had too many chances following that red card. Blackburn are biding their time instead of going for the jugular, which is probably the right approach. There is still a long way to go in this match and Swansea still have plenty of quality within their team.
CHANCE! King causes havoc again around the Swansea box, bobbing and weaving his way past a couple of defenders before slipping at the vital moment. The ball falls to Cairney on the edge of the area, but Fabianski saves his stinging drive.
To be fair, Swansea don't look too rattled after being reduced to 10 men. The visitors are still continuing to push forward when they can, though they're lacking that little bit of quality in the final third.
This is an encouraging spell for the Swans. They're knocking the ball about calmly, trying to take a bit of the sting out of this pumped-up Blackburn side. Gomis gets a sight of goal on the edge of the area, only for Kilgallon to throw himself at the Frenchman and block the shot.
GOAL! BLACKBURN 0-1 SWANSEA (SIGURDSSON)
Wow! The 10 men of Swansea take the lead, and it's an absolute screamer from Gylfi Sigurdsson. The midfielder takes aim about 25 yards from goal before lashing the ball into the top corner, giving Eastwood no chance whatsoever. What a goal from the Icelandic international.
GOAL! BLACKBURN 1-1 SWANSEA (TAYLOR)
Swansea's lead lasts just a couple of minutes as Chris Taylor draws the hosts level with a fine strike. Olsson's cross from the left is headed down at the back post before Taylor controls the ball, swivels and hits an unstoppable volley into the back of the net.
We might just have a tasty FA Cup tie on our hands here. The action hasn't been all that scintillating so far, but the two goals have been superb. Rovers go on the attack again as Taylor's deep cross asks questions of the Swansea defence, but Amat is there to nod the ball clear.
YELLOW CARD! The first booking of the game goes the way of Rovers midfielder Lee Williamson for a clumsy challenge on Gomis. He can have no complaints with that decision.
Despite the scoreline being level, there can be no denying that Blackburn have done the majority of the pressing this afternoon. The Championship side surge forward again as Shelvey loses the ball in a key area before Cairney is dispossessed just as he was about to pull the trigger. The Swans are not doing themselves any favours with the slack passing that they've been guilty of today.
CHANCE! Sigurdsson and Barrow combine in the box before the latter picks out Dyer around the penalty spot. The winger's initial shot is blocked before he sees his second effort suffer the same fate. Good defending from Blackburn there.
There's been plenty of talk about Gomis leaving Swansea this past week, but the striker will not be attracting any suitors on this performance. The Frenchman has been uninspired in the final third, despite his imposing presence. The Blackburn back four have had a relatively easy afternoon up against him so far.
Conway opens up for the shot about 30 yards from goal before seeing his effort sail well off target. The midfielder then gets into a little spat with Shelvey, which the referee breaks up. Not sure what that was all about.
BLACKBURN SUB: The hosts are forced into a change as Lee Williamson goes off with an eye problem. David Dunn is on in his place.
King does well to win a corner out on the right, but Cairney's delivery is a poor one that Fabianski catches easily. Just a couple of minutes of normal time remaining in this half. It's become a fairly open game in the last few moments as both sides show no fear in pushing for a second goal.
There will be THREE MINUTES of added time...
HALF TIME: BLACKBURN 1-1 SWANSEA
The half-time whistle goes, bringing the curtain down on an entertaining opening 45 minutes at Ewood Park. The visitors, who are down to 10 men following Kyle Bartley's early dismissal, took the lead through a stunning strike from Gylfi Sigurdsson before Chris Taylor levelled for Blackburn soon after with a fine volley.
It's fair to say that the hosts have been the better side so far. That early red card for Bartley did Swansea no favours whatsoever, but they've also been poor at the other end of the pitch. The likes of Barrow and Gomis just haven't caused Rovers enough problems.
Was it a red card for Bartley? Well, the defender was clumsy in his challenge on King, but the Rovers forward was also doing his share of the grappling when they collided. However, you can understand why referee Craig Pawson sent him off because he was the last man.
Both managers will be keen to avoid a replay in this tie, so don't be surprised if the two teams go for it in the second half. Gary Bowyer and Garry Monk would probably rather go down in a blaze of glory than be forced to play another game.
SECOND HALF UNDERWAY! The teams are back out for the second half, and it will be Blackburn to get us back underway. No changes from either manager at the break.
CHANCE! Gomis, who was so poor in the first half, suddenly bursts in to life as the ball breaks for him on the edge of the box. The striker hits a low drive towards goal, but Duffy does really well to block the effort.
CHANCE! It's certainly been a lively start to the second half as Rovers go on the attack with Dunn. The veteran midfielder feeds Cairney with a lovely threaded ball into the box, only for Cairney's resulting turn and shot to go over the crossbar.
Shelvey loses his frustration, giving away a needless free kick in the centre of the pitch. The Swansea midfielder has been inconsistent so far today, drifting in and out of the game far too frequently for manager Garry Monk's liking. Blackburn are on top right now as they go in search of what would be a hugely-important second goal.
Rovers are really heaping the pressure on Swansea now. They're trying to pick a way through the defence, but they've just not found that magical combination in this second half. One attacks sees Fernandez lump the ball away in a panic as the hosts attempt to get in behind their opponents.
That's poor from Olsson. A decent move from Blackburn ends with the Swede shooting high and wide from about 25 yards. He needed more composure there. A floated ball into the box may even have been better because he had bodies waiting in the middle.
BLACKBURN SUB: The hosts make a swap now as King, who has been excellent this afternoon, is replaced by former Cardiff City forward Rudy Gestede. Can the Benin international hurt Swansea's chances of reaching the last 16?
SWANSEA SUB: The visitors shake things up as Barrow is brought off for Jefferson Montero, who is on to make his FA Cup debut.
The away side are having to soak up a lot of pressure at the moment as Rovers try to get their noses in front. The ball is just coming straight back to the Swans whenever they get rid of it, which is stopping them taking control. That said, Swansea took the lead against the run of play in the first half so they will be thinking that they can still progress.
CHANCE! Rovers come close as a free kick from the left is flicked on by the head of Kilgallon, but Fabianski gets down low to make a decent save. Just before that, Swansea won themselves a corner that Sigurdsson whipped into the near post with some real menace, only for Taylor to head the ball clear.
Montero shows what he's all about as he takes on Henley down the left flank, but a poor pass to no-one allows Rovers to regain possession. The Swans eventually get the ball back before breaking with Gomis. However, the striker's pass to Shelvey is woeful and the move breaks down.
BLACKBURN, SWANSEA SUBS: The hosts are bringing on another one of their main men as Jordan Rhodes replaces Dunn with just under 15 minutes left. Meanwhile, Gomis is withdrawn for Nelson Oliviera as the Swans mix things up.
GOAL! BLACKBURN 2-1 SWANSEA (GESTEDE)
One of the subs makes the difference as Rudy Gestede pounces in the box to give them the lead! The forward's initial header from a short corner is kept out, but he shows good reactions to flick the rebound into the net.
That goal from Gestede is nothing more than what Rovers deserve. The Championship side have looked hungrier all afternoon, and they're now 10 minutes away from the fifth round. They win a free kick about 35 yards from goal that Cairney pumps into the box, but Fabianski is quick off his line to thwart the danger.
CHANCE! Swansea come close to finding an equaliser as Sigurdsson twists and turns on the edge of the box before slipping a wonderful ball through to Montero. However, Duffy does brilliantly to stretch out and divert the ball away from goal. He had to time that to perfection.
YELLOW CARD! Swansea winger Dyer, who has been a peripheral presence at best today, goes into the book after taking out Lowe with a cynical challenge.
Time is running out quickly for Swansea, and they are struggling to get hold of the ball and into the Rovers half. The home side are doing a great job of keeping possession and making sure that all of the action is at the other end of the pitch.
GOAL! BLACKBURN 3-1 SWANSEA (CONWAY)
That should do it for Blackburn as Craig Conway makes it 3-1! The midfielder is given plenty of space about 25 yards from goal, and his low shot somehow squirms past Fabianski and into the net. The Pole really should have done better there.
There will be THREE MINUTES of added time at the end of the match...
RED CARD! GYLFI SIGURDSSON (SWANSEA)
Swansea go down to nine men as Gylfi Sigurdsson is shown a straight red card for a foul on Taylor. It's an uncharacteristic challenge from the midfielder, who takes out the Rovers man from behind. If anything, that was born of frustration.
FULL TIME: BLACKBURN 3-1 SWANSEA
There it is! Blackburn have caused a minor shock in the FA Cup fourth round with a 3-1 win over nine-man Swansea. Rovers fully deserve the win as they showed more fight, endeavour and hunger throughout. Meanwhile, Swansea can have no complaints with going out of the competition - they were well below par today.
That's all from our live text coverage of this afternoon's game, but don't forget that you can keep up to date with reaction from both camps right here on Sports Mole. Thanks for your company, we hope to see you again soon. Goodbye!
