Newcastle United’s four-match winning run was brought to an abrupt end on a bitterly cold evening in south Wales as Swansea City, inspired by Jonjo Shelvey, recorded a rare and much-needed home victory.
Nathan Dyer’s well-struck volley at the end of the first half, followed by a own goal from Mathieu Debuchy and a brilliant third from Shelvey, allowed Swansea to celebrate three points at the Liberty Stadium for only the second time in 12 matches.
It was a frustrating night for Newcastle but Swansea looked the much more accomplished team and in Shelvey they possessed the outstanding player on the pitch.
The former Liverpool midfielder was at the heart of all of Swansea’s best moments and he rounded off a fine individual performance with a superb goal.
Receiving a square pass from Dyer, Shelvey swept a 25-yard shot beyond Tim Krul, who had denied him moments earlier, and into the top corner.
For all Swansea’s early, their lack of penetration was not helped by the absence through injury of Michu and Wilfried Bony, who have scored 16 goals between them this season. Alvaro Vazquez, a loan signing from Getafe, was thrust into the central striking role but lasted only 28 minutes before limping off with a groin strain.
Dyer, Vazquez’ replacement, took little time to make his mark. On the stroke of half-time Alejandro Pozuelo whipped in a left-footed centre that had Krul frantically back-pedalling to get a hand on the ball.
The Newcastle goalkeeper could only succeed, however, in palming the ball into the area where Dyer was loitering and the winger finished ruthlessly, hammering a first-time volley into the empty net.
Pressed for equaliser
Newcastle pressed for an equaliser and they were to have their chances but it was City again who would find the net.Sprinting clear onto Pozuelo's pass, Shelvey was about to shoot when Debuchy tackled him from behind, the ball came back off Krul's legs, struck the Newcastle defender and ended up in the back of the net.
Shelvey later got his reward, with a beauty eight minutes from time.
Guardian Service
Swansea: Vorm, Tiendalli, Chico, Williams, Ben Davies, Canas, de Guzman, Pozuelo (Routledge 84), Shelvey, Hernandez (Lamah 71), Vazquez (Dyer 29). Subs Not Used: Amat,Taylor, Britton, Tremmel. Goals: Dyer 45, Debuchy 66 og, Shelvey 81.
Newcastle: Krul, Debuchy, Williamson (Yanga-Mbiwa 77), Coloccini, Santon (Haidara 56), Sissoko, Tiote, Cabaye, Gouffran, Shola Ameobi (Obertan 67), Remy. Subs Not Used: Anita, Elliot, Sammy Ameobi, Dummett. Booked: Debuchy, Haidara. Att: 20,457. Referee: Howard Webb (S Yorkshire).
