'Win puts us on the map'

TWO-GOAL hero Jonathan de Guzman hailed Swansea's Capital One Cup triumph as a "massive highlight" in his career.

The Dutch international netted twice in the second half, nailing Swansea's first penalty of the season before adding the coup de grace to the 5-0 win in the dying seconds.

It has been some campaign for the Canadian-born midfielder, whose form at the Liberty saw him earn his international debut against Italy earlier this month.

That rise to international honours was a memorable moment for the on-loan Villarreal man, but he admitted scoring twice at Wembley was right up there.

"It is a dream just to play in a final and be part of this team in my first year here. It was the perfect stage for us in our 100th year of the club," he said.

"This is one of the best days of my career, a massive highlight.

"My main focus when I came here from Villarreal was to get minutes on the field and playing for my ex-coach (Michael Laudrup).

"I have been welcomed by the fans and the squad from day one.

"When I came here I didn't think we would be winning trophies, but beating Liverpool (in the fourth round) put us that step closer and that gave us the belief we could go all the way.

"It was a bit different being favourites, but I thought we coped with the pressure well."

De Guzman took on the role of Swansea's penalty taker, even though Nathan Dyer was desperate to take the kick as he looked to join one of Wembley's hat-trick elite.

"I was the one who was tackled and I didn't realise he was on a hat-trick. We had a little discussion, but he was okay," smiled de Guzman later.

"Nathan was fine afterwards. We didn't really have a designated penalty taker, we hadn't had a penalty given before today.

"The reason I took the initiative was because I had been the one tackled."

By then, the match had long been taken out of the grasp of Bradford.

The League Two side had arrived in North London with three Premier League scalps in their Valley Parade cabinet and dreaming of a "Happy Ever After" ending to their fairytale campaign.

But once Nathan Dyer opened the account in the 16th minute, Swansea never remotely looked like having their advantage wrestled away from them.

"We are a good footballing team and we tried to break their spirit," added de Guzman, whose family flew over from Canada to watch the game.

"Bradford sat back a bit and it allowed us to move the ball around. You are never sure at 2-0, but the third goal broke them."

The match catapults the Swansea City success story into European competition for next season and de Guzman believes that will help the side write another chapter in the club's proud history books.

"Knowing we are playing European football is great and I am sure it will attract a lot of players," he added.

"The football we play with the one-two touches and the movement off the ball will be good for us in Europe.

"Laudrup has made history with Swansea and I think everyone would want him to stay now.

"Getting there is great for this club.

"When you hear the history of this club, knowing that they might not have had a club anymore ten years ago, everyone is so proud of what we have achieved.

"It is fantastic.

"Swansea are on the map."