Dan James produced another scintillating display as Swansea downed nine-man Stoke 3-1 in front of watching Wales manager Ryan Giggs at the Liberty Stadium.
Giggs handed 21-year-old winger James his international debut and he excelled by scoring a stunning first-half opener and leading the Stoke defence a merry dance.
The Potters simply couldn’t cope with James who was wiped out by last man Bruno Martins Indi who saw red. He was also fouled in either half by Tom Edwards who was sent off for two bookings.
Swansea defender Mike van der Hoorn and Stoke’s James McClean had both scored before the break, but Oli McBurnie made it 3-1 to the hosts in the second half.
The electric winger – so impressive since the New Year – cut inside from the left and his curling right-foot effort was too good for Butland as it went in off the post.
It ended Stoke’s run of 591 minutes without conceding.
Vokes – who has fallen out of favour with Wales under Giggs – missed a sitter at the other end for Stoke as he side-footed wide.
Stoke had been awful to that point but made it 2-1 with the last kick of the half as McClean fired past Kristoffer Nordfeldt – who should have done better – from 30 yards.
Stoke just couldn’t cope with James and he raced clear at the start of the second half. Martins Indi hacked the winger down to see red.
Swansea’s dominance became absolute with a two-man numerical advantage and McBurnie made the game safe late on as James was substituted to a standing ovation.
