Played
November 17, 2012 10:00 AM EST
St. James' Park — Newcastle-upon-Tyne
Referee: P. Dowd
Attendance: 49403
November 17, 2012 10:00 AM EST
St. James' Park — Newcastle-upon-Tyne
Referee: P. Dowd
Attendance: 49403
Top of the Match
Pablo Hernández
Swansea City
Swansea City
Pablo Hernández
Swansea City
Swansea City
Flop of the Match
Tim Krul
Newcastle
Newcastle
Davide Santon
Newcastle
Newcastle
Goal.com Rating 
Fans' Rating Newcastle 1-2 Swansea City: Michu and De Guzman seal vital away points
The Magpies fell to their second home defeat in a row, with Michael Laudrup's men striking twice after the break to leapfrog their opponents in the Premier League table
By Andrew Kennedy
NEWCASTLE, England -- Frustrations at St. James' Park continue to grow after Newcastle United fell to a successive Premier League home defeat on Saturday, this time at the hands of Swansea.
The Magpies failed to capitalize on a number of opportunities on goal, with second-half goals from Michu and Jonathan de Guzman enough to seal all three points for the Welsh outfit, who in turn leapfrog Alan Pardew's side in the table.
A wrangle with the Senegalese FA over Papiss Cisse's absence from international duty meant the striker was missing from the match-day squad, with Alan Pardew also forced to do without first-team regulars Fabricio Coloccini, Yohan Cabaye and Jonas Gutierrez.
Chiekh Tiote returned to the midfield after his three-game suspension, and was partnered in the middle of the park by Vurnon Anita.
For the visitors, Ki Sung-Yueng was ruled out through injury, but Pablo Hernandez shook off a knock picked up in the 1-1 draw with Southampton to start. Fellow Spaniard Michu continued for Michael Laudrup's side, with Nathan Dyer and Itay Shechter both coming into the starting XI.
Pablo carved out the first chance of the game within five minutes. The former Valencia man's through ball split the Newcastle center backs to play Dyer in on goal, yet the 24-year-old dragged his effort wide of Tim Krul's goalmouth. The Dutchman was then on hand to thwart the former Valencia man's attempt of his own from distance.
The lively Hatem Ben Arfa looked to spark St. James' Park into life with an effort that crashed against the side netting following a mazy run, yet the visitors continued to look the more threatening and only a brilliant save from Krul prevented Michu from opening the scoring.
The Frenchman was then on hand to tee up Demba Ba with a driven cross from distance. Yet the Senegalese striker, limited to long-ball service for much of the half, was unable to direct his header on goal.
Up popped Ben Arfa again to force a superb save from Gerhard Tremmel in the Swansea goal before Shechter failed to guide the ball beyond Krul as the half drew to a close with the scores goalless.
The introduction of Shola Ameobi after the break in place of Shane Ferguson gave Newcastle added impetus, with the striker teeing up Vurnon Anita to drive at goal from distance. The hosts continued to pile on the pressure, with Ba gifted two opportunities in quick succession, but the striker failed to threaten on both occasions.
However, a poor Krul clearance gifted Laudrup's men an opportunity on the break, and the Dutchman was made to pay. Pablo picked up the ball on the halfway line, and drove down the flank before teeing up Michu to head Swansea into a deserved lead on balance.
The home crowd's frustrations were increased as Newcastle continued to prove wasteful in the final third - Sammy Ameobi a major culprit - while Swansea looked increasingly likely to score a second. Substitute Wayne Routledge released Pablo brilliantly on his return to St. James' Park, while Michu just failed to take advantage of a loose Mike Williamson back pass.
The visitors soon wrapped up the tie with De Guzman first to pounce on a rebound from a Krul save and drive the ball home from a tight angle. Newcastle may have hoped to have salvaged a point after Ba's late header, but its stuttering start to the season continues.
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The Magpies failed to capitalize on a number of opportunities on goal, with second-half goals from Michu and Jonathan de Guzman enough to seal all three points for the Welsh outfit, who in turn leapfrog Alan Pardew's side in the table.
A wrangle with the Senegalese FA over Papiss Cisse's absence from international duty meant the striker was missing from the match-day squad, with Alan Pardew also forced to do without first-team regulars Fabricio Coloccini, Yohan Cabaye and Jonas Gutierrez.
Chiekh Tiote returned to the midfield after his three-game suspension, and was partnered in the middle of the park by Vurnon Anita.
For the visitors, Ki Sung-Yueng was ruled out through injury, but Pablo Hernandez shook off a knock picked up in the 1-1 draw with Southampton to start. Fellow Spaniard Michu continued for Michael Laudrup's side, with Nathan Dyer and Itay Shechter both coming into the starting XI.
Pablo carved out the first chance of the game within five minutes. The former Valencia man's through ball split the Newcastle center backs to play Dyer in on goal, yet the 24-year-old dragged his effort wide of Tim Krul's goalmouth. The Dutchman was then on hand to thwart the former Valencia man's attempt of his own from distance.
The lively Hatem Ben Arfa looked to spark St. James' Park into life with an effort that crashed against the side netting following a mazy run, yet the visitors continued to look the more threatening and only a brilliant save from Krul prevented Michu from opening the scoring.
The Frenchman was then on hand to tee up Demba Ba with a driven cross from distance. Yet the Senegalese striker, limited to long-ball service for much of the half, was unable to direct his header on goal.
Up popped Ben Arfa again to force a superb save from Gerhard Tremmel in the Swansea goal before Shechter failed to guide the ball beyond Krul as the half drew to a close with the scores goalless.
The introduction of Shola Ameobi after the break in place of Shane Ferguson gave Newcastle added impetus, with the striker teeing up Vurnon Anita to drive at goal from distance. The hosts continued to pile on the pressure, with Ba gifted two opportunities in quick succession, but the striker failed to threaten on both occasions.
However, a poor Krul clearance gifted Laudrup's men an opportunity on the break, and the Dutchman was made to pay. Pablo picked up the ball on the halfway line, and drove down the flank before teeing up Michu to head Swansea into a deserved lead on balance.
The home crowd's frustrations were increased as Newcastle continued to prove wasteful in the final third - Sammy Ameobi a major culprit - while Swansea looked increasingly likely to score a second. Substitute Wayne Routledge released Pablo brilliantly on his return to St. James' Park, while Michu just failed to take advantage of a loose Mike Williamson back pass.
The visitors soon wrapped up the tie with De Guzman first to pounce on a rebound from a Krul save and drive the ball home from a tight angle. Newcastle may have hoped to have salvaged a point after Ba's late header, but its stuttering start to the season continues.
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Top Scorers
| Player | Goals | Penalties | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Robin van Persie Striker Man United |
26 | 3 |
|
Luis Suárez Striker Liverpool |
23 | 0 |
|
Gareth Bale Midfielder Tottenham |
21 | 0 |
|
C. Benteke Striker Aston Villa |
19 | 3 |
|
Michu Midfielder Swansea City |
19 | 0 |
