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Swansea logo
Premier League
Dec 4, 2013 at 7.45pm UK
 
Newcastle logo

3-0

Dyer (45'), Debuchy (66'), Shelvey (81')
FT(HT: 1-0)

Live Commentary: Swansea City 3-0 Newcastle United - as it happened

Live coverage of Newcastle United's trip to the Liberty Stadium to face Swansea City in the Premier League.
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Swansea City ended Newcastle United's four-game wining streak with a 3-0 win at the Liberty Stadium this evening.

Nathan Dyer put the home side ahead in stoppage time in the first half, before efforts from Jonjo Shelvey resulted in a goal for the 21-year-old and an own goal for Mathieu Debuchy.

The result gives Swansea just their second home win of the season, and leaves them just a point outside the top half of the table.

Read how all the action unfolded below:


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Good evening! It's around an hour until kickoff at the Liberty Stadium, where Swansea City will be looking to prevent Newcastle United from making it five wins in a row in the Premier League. The visitors have just announced their team news, so let's take a look...

NEWCASTLE STARTING XI: Krul, Debuchy, Williamson, Coloccini, Santon, Sissoko, Tiote, Cabaye, Gouffran, Shola, Ameobi, Remy

NEWCASTLE SUBSTITUTES: Elliot, Yanga-Mbiwa, Haidara, Anita, Obertan, Sammy Ameobi, Cisse

The Magpies' recent run has been helped by Loic Remy's strong form in front of goal. The on-loan striker has netted eight times for the visitors so far this season. Remy will continue up front alongside Shola Ameobi.

SWANSEA STARTING XI: Vorm, Tiendalli, Chico, Williams, Davies, Canas, de Guzman, Shelvey, Pozuelo, Hernandez, Vazquez

SWANSEA SUBSTITUTES: Tremmel, Amat, Taylor, Britton, Routledge, Lamah, Dyer

With Wilfried Bony and Michu both struggling with injuries at the moment, Michael Laudrup is placing his faith in on-loan striker Alvaro Vazquez, who is yet to score a goal for the Welsh side. However, the manager has publicly backed the forward, and believes that he will break his duck soon.

Next week, Alan Pardew will celebrate his third anniversary in charge of Newcastle, making him the second-longest serving manager in the Premier League. However, the 52-year-old admitted ahead of this evening's game that he feared getting the sack last season, when the club were dragged into the relegation battle.

TEAM NEWS UPDATE! We've just heard that Papiss Cisse has sustained a heel injury during Newcastle's warm-up for tonight's match, so Paul Dummett will take his place on the bench for the visitors.

Since being promoted to the Premier League, Swansea have made the Liberty Stadium a fortress. However, last season's League Cup winners have struggles to reproduce their superb home form this season, winning just once at their own ground in this campaign so far. Despite this, Michael Laurdrup told reporters: "I don't know if it matters so much if we win at home or away. It is true it is strange a team like us, who should get the majority of our points at home, have won more games away. But points are points. Now we have two home games and of course we hope we can get points here like the last time we had two consecutive home games, against Sunderland and West Ham."

Last season, Swansea completed the double over the Magpies, beating them 2-1 at St James's Park before sealing a 1-0 home win in March. However, Newcastle claimed victory at the Liberty Stadium the season before, recording a 2-0 win over today's opponents.

Tonight's game is the second of five in a hectic 13-day period for Swansea, who are currently enjoying their first season of Europeans football following last season's Capital One Cup success. Having lost to Man City on Sunday, the Swans will host Hull City on Monday before travelling to St Gallen for their final Europa League group game, and that's before the start of the festive period! Laudrup will be hoping some of his injured stars will be ready to return before then.

Alan Pardew has sympathy for Swansea's schedule, telling reporters ahead of tonight's match: "I do think [the Europa League] format has to change. Especially teams like ourselves and Swansea and Everton. The top teams can cope with it, but why we cannot play on a Monday night I do not know. If you play on a Thursday night those teams should have an extra day's rest, it is as simple as that."

WEATHER UPDATE! Looking at the conditions for this evening's game, it could be a little slippery under foot, with some rain forecast for tonight at the ground. That could hinder Swansea's fast-paced passing style.

The first goal could be particularly crucial this evening. Swansea have not lost after scoring first this season, going on to claim four wins and a draw when doing so. Newcastle have been similarly impressive when taking the lead, converting nine of the games that they have scored first in into wins.

REFEREE WATCH! Howard Webb takes charge of this match tonight. It's a good omen for the players, as the 2010 World Cup final ref is yet to send off a player in the Premier League this season.

PREDICTION! With the players due to head out shortly, let's make a quick prediction. The form is with Newcastle, but Swansea really need the win. With that in mind, I think the home side might just steal the victory this evening, so I'm going for a 2-1 win to Swansea.

Here come the teams! Ashley Williams and Fabricio Coloccini lead their teammates out in front of a packed Liberty Stadium.

With the handshakes, coin toss and all the pre-match formalities almost complete, kickoff is almost upon us. This game has all the hallmarks of a very entertaining fixture indeed.

Actually there's a brief delay as Michel Vorm calls Howard Webb over. It looks like the frame of the goal has come slightly loose, but the referee manages to put it back together.

Newcastle get the game underway.

Vazquez puts in an early run for the hosts, bursting into the Newcastle penalty area before looking to pull to ball back for Pozuelo, but Coliccini is ready, and makes the clearance. However, it's a bright start by Swansea.

Once again it's Vazquez and Pozuelo linking up superbly as they bear down in the visitors' goal, but Debuchy manages to deny the duo this time. It looks like the youngsters are keen to make the most of their opportunity in Michu and Bony's absence.

Newcastle briefly manage to halt Swansea's sprightly start to the match, but Ashley Williams is able to play the Welsh side out from the back, and the home side win a corner around 20 yards out. Hernandez takes it and launches it deep into the penalty area, but he can't pick out a teammate and the chance goes begging. The visitors are having to weather the storm a little at the moment.

Against the run of play there's a half-chance for Cabaye, as he spots Vorm well off his line and tries to lob it over the keeper's head from just inside the Swansea half, but it's a poor attempt really, finishing well off target.

CHANCE! Vorm has to be alert in the Swansea goal as Debuchy sends in a superb delivery for Remy, who gets his head to it, but the Swansea keeper manages to tip it behind with his fingertips. Despite the home side's strong start, that's the best chance of the match so far.

Swansea immediately get the ball down the other end of the pitch, and Hernandez spots Jonjo Shelvey timing a run into the box, but his cross for the former Liverpool man is too low, allowing Debuchy to get the ball clear.

Shelvey has started to have more of an impact on the game in the last five minutes or so, as Newcastle's back four appear to have wised up to the Pozuelo-Vazquez partnership. The midfielder wins a throw in in a strong position, allowing the Spanish striker to get a shot away from out side, but he couldn't quite get the angle right.

Davide Santon decides to try and slow down Swansea by trying his luck from range for the visitors, but it was a real defender's finish, providing Vorm with a comfortable save. Aside from Remy's header, Newcastle really haven't provided much threat up front yet.

Newcastle finally seem to be getting a foothold in this game, as they manage to get their first prolonged spell of possession inside the Swansea half, but the home side quickly get the ball back and force their way back up front. However, there could be an injury concern for the hosts, as they appear to be warming up some substitutes, with Vazquez struggling to move with what appears to be a groin problem.

CHANCE! As Vazquez continues to struggle, Chico Flores unleashes a dangerous strike from the edge of the box, which changes direction several times, but Krul watches it all the way and reads it correctly to deny the home side.

SUB! Well that's a big blow for the hosts, as Alvaro Vazquez is done for the night, with Nathan Dyer taking his place. The Spaniard looked lively early on, linking up well with Pozuelo, but a groin problem has proved too much for the on-loan forward.

CHANCE! With Swansea still reorganising themselves following the substitution, Loic Remy takes advantage of some gaps in the midfield to carve out a long-range chance, but he just puts a fraction too much on the ball, dragging it just wide.

Cabaye is the latest Newcastle player to have a go from distance, looking to find the target directly from a free kick 25 yards out, but his delivery is too high.

Vazquez's departure seems to have left the home side short up front, as De Guzman looks to slot one in for Shelvey, but the absence of any further support means the midfielder is swamped by the Newcastle defence, giving the visitors an easy clearance.

Nathan Dyer wins a free kick for the visitors when he is brought down by Coliccini around 25 yards out. Shelvey lines up the ball and looks to be going directly for goal as he tries to keep his shot low, but it's blocked by the wall.

Newcastle are looking to finish this half strongly as Cabaye and Remy both have shots blocked before the ball falls to Tiote, who has scored just once in his Newcastle career, and will have to wait for his second after slicing it well high of the crossbar.

Cabaye appears to have earned himself a final warning from Howard Webb as the referee gives the Newcastle player a talking too after he hacks down Dyer. It looks like he'll have to be on his best behaviour for the rest of the night if he wants to avoid a booking.

GOAL! Swansea 1-0 Newcastle (Dyer)

Jonathan de Guzman wins a free kick near the sideline and whips it in, but it's initially well cleared by Ameobi. However, a deep cross back in leaves Krul out of position, allowing Dyer to pounce on an open net from close range in the first of two minutes of stoppage time.

HALF TIME: Swansea City 1-0 Newcastle United

So a late half-volley from Nathan Dyer separates the two sides at the end of the first half. While Swansea had dominated possession for much of the opening period, they had struggled to create clear-cut chances up until the goal.

The hosts seemed to have lost some of their attacking edge after Dyer replaced the injured Alvaro Vazquez mid-way through the half, but they'll be glad to have had the speedy midfielder on the pitch to put them ahead.

Let's take a look at some of the statistics from the opening 45 minutes. Swansea dominated the possession, seeing 74% of the ball. However, Newcastle had more chances, with nine shots to the hosts' five, although both had two on target.

Prior to Dyer's goal, the best chance of the half had fallen to Loic Remy for Newcastle. The Frenchman had a fantastic chance to put the visitors ahead early on against the run of play, but a stunning save from Michel Vorm denied the in-form striker.

Newcastle will be hoping that the early injury to Vazquez, affecting Swansea's already thinned squad, may result in the team tiring towards the end of the game, allowing them to hit back after the break. The visitors certainly have greater depth on their bench, with Sammy Ameobi and Gabriel Obertan among those able to come on in the second half.

The players are making their way back out ready for the second half.

Swansea get the game back underway.

CHANCE! De Guzman breaks from midfield early on and picks out Dyer at the far past, who manages to lose Debuchy, but the goal-scorer's header is saved by Krul. Newcastle look a little stretched in the opening minutes of the second half.

Having organised themselves defensively, Newcastle manage to string together a run at the Swansea goal, with Gouffran sending in a superb high ball for Ameobi, but the striker couldn't quite reach it in time, allowing Vorm to gather.

CHANCE! It's Ameobi again for the visitors, who was set up by a stunning flick on for Cabaye, but the striker mis-timed his volley, allowing Vorm to make the save.

CHANCE! It's a swift counter-attack by the hosts as Jonjo Shelvey unleashes a rocket from 25 yards out, but the 21-year-old's finish goes just wide, clipping the side netting on the way out.

Remy looks to get himself into a goal-scoring position for the visitors, but the ball is put behind for the first corner of the match, but the Frenchman can only head over from the delivery back into the box.

SUB! Newcastle make their first change of the match, bringing on Massadio Haidara for Davide Santon.

PENALTY APPEAL! As Cabaye and Gouffran look to team up inside the box, their teammates suddenly appeal for a penalty as they believe that Ashley Williams handled the ball, but the replays show that it would have been a harsh decision against the Swansea captain.

BOOKING! Mathieu Debuchy picks up the games first yellow card for a wild challenge on Hernandez. The booking means he'll be suspended for the visitors' next game.

The tempers just starting to flair a little, Swansea look to take advantage by running at their opponents, forcing Haidara to put it behind to give the home side their first corner of the match. Dyer delivers it short though, allowing the Magpies to make an easy clearance.

This game is really starting to liven up as both sides push for a goal. Gouffran tries to set up Ameobi inside the Swansea penalty area before De Guzman breaks for the hosts and looks for Dyer, but a last-gasp challenge from Debuchy rescues to situation for the visitors.

GOAL! Swansea 2-0 Newcastle (Debuchy OG)

Well that was an action-packed minute! Gouffran appeals for a penalty for the visitors after clashing with Williams inside the Swansea box, but while Newcastle pause to look towards Webb, the home side break, but Shelvey showing blistering pace to get the shot away. Debuchy tracks back superbly, and it just in the wrong place at the wrong time as Krul parries Shelvey's shot straight into the defender to give Swansea a second goal.

SUB! Newcastle make their second change, with Gabriel Obertan taking the place of Shola Ameobi.

CHANCE! Swansea almost add a quick third, with De Guzman sending the ball into the box for the hosts, but Krul manages to gather before Hernandez can reach it with his head from point-blank range.

SUB! The hosts bring off Hernandez, sending Roland Lamah on his place.

CHANCE! Shelvey has a chance to increase the home side's lead, as Dyer lofts the ball into the midfielder, but he has to rush his shot with Debuchy quickly closes in, and he slices it badly.

CHANCE! It's Shelvey again for the hosts. He seems determined to score this evening! However, this time he's denied by a fantastic Tim Krul save. There's a bit of a scuffle as Shelvey puts his head to Debuchy's before Cabaye steps in to separate the duo. It looks like Webb missed it though, as he just has a quick word with the pair rather than reaching for his pocket. Had the ref spotted that, Shelvey might have found himself in a bit of trouble.

SUB! Newcastle make their final change, replacing Mike Williamson with Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa.

GOAL! Swansea 3-0 Newcastle (Shelvey)

Shelvey's persistence finally pays off as De Guzman pulls it back to the midfielder just outside the box, and he hits it flawlessly first time, picking out the centre of the net. Krul did manage to get a fingertip to it, but it wasn't enough to stop the powerful finish.

SUB! It's the final change for the home side as they bring off Pozuelo, who has been lively throughout the evening, to bring on Wayne Routledge against his former club.

BOOKING! Haidara is shown a yellow card for a late challenge on Dyer. The scorer of the first goal of the evening appears to have been winded by the blow, but it quickly back on his feet.

Routledge looks to have a quick impact for the home side as he runs towards the Newcastle goal, but Yanga-Mbiwa manages to put it behind for a corner, which comes to nothing.

With a busy run coming up, Swansea just seem to have started to cool off a little in the last couple of minutes as they coast to full time. Meanwhile, Remy lets his frustrations boil over with a clumsy challenge on Lamah, giving Swansea a free kick.

As three minutes of stoppage time get underway, Swansea seem content not to press from their free kick, and instead just keep the ball among their back four. It's been a very business-like effort by the home side in this second-half.

FULL TIME: Swansea City 3-0 Newcastle United

A clinical display from Swansea City gives the Welsh side just their second home win of the season. As it stands, that result lifts Swansea up to 11th in the table, while Newcastle remain sixth.

The only concern for Michael Laudrup will be the first-half injury picked up by striker Alvaro Vazquez. With his strike force already hit by injury, he'll be hoping that the young Spaniard only sustained a minor knock. The good news is he returned to the bench pretty quickly after receiving treatment when he was taken off, so it may just have been a precaution.

Well that's all from the Liberty Stadium this evening, but stick around for results, analysis and reaction to this and all of this evening's Premier League ties. Thanks for joining me this evening, goodbye.

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Swansea boss Michael Laudrup on the touchline during his team's Europa League group match against Valencia on September 19, 2013
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