Swansea City piled more misery on Newcastle United this afternoon by running out 3-2 winners at St James' Park.
Defeat means that the Magpies have now suffered seven losses on the bounce - their worst run of form ever in the Premier League.
John Carver's team did in fact take the lead via an Ayoze Perez tap in before Nelson Oliveira levelled proceedings on the stroke of half time.
Goals from Gylfi Sigurdsson and Jack Cork made the game safe for the visitors, though Siem De Jong did add a late consolation on his return to the team from injury.
Read how the game played out by following Sports Mole's minute-by-minute updates below.
Good afternoon and welcome to live coverage of the Premier League clash between Newcastle United and Swansea City here on Sports Mole.
Both sides come into this one off the back of disappointing defeats last weekend, and the seasons of today's teams are unfortunately threatening to peter out. With five games remaining, hosts Newcastle are probably safe from the drop, although a win here would certainly ease any worries that do still linger about going down.
Swansea meanwhile slumped to a poor loss at the hands of resurgent Leicester City last Saturday, putting a dent into their ambitions to finish as 'best of the rest' outside the division's top seven this year.
The team sheets have been announced, so let's take a look...
Newcastle United: Krul, Janmaat, Coloccini, Williamson, Anita, R.Taylor, Gutierrez, Colback, Cabella, Riviere, Perez.
Subs: Woodman, Abeid, Gouffran, Obertan, Ameobi, de Jong, Armstrong.
Swansea City: Fabianski, Rangel, Fernandez, Williams (capt), Amat, Cork, Shelvey, Sigurdsson, Dyer, Montero, Oliviera.
Subs: Tremmel, Bartley, Britton, Ki, Fulton, Grimes, Emnes.
So it's two changes then for the home side, with John Carver opting for Emmanuel Riviere and Jonas Gutierrez in place of Yoan Gouffran and Medhi Abeid. Both men are amongst the subs today for the Magpies, and it will be interesting to see if Riviere's inclusion means that they will be playing with two up front. Siem De Jong is amongst the subs, which is a boost to the squad, as he has been out of action since way back in October due to a collapsed lung.
The big news for Swansea is the loss of Wayne Routledge to an ankle injury. The winger has been struggling with the problem a little over recent weeks, and has undergone surgery to ensure that he returns in good time for pre-season.
Modou Barrow has been recalled by the Swans from his loan spell from Nottingham Forest in light of the Routledge news, but he doesn't feature in the squad today.
Bafetimbi Gomis, Kyle Naughton and Tom Carroll all remain sidelined for Swansea, while defender Neil Taylor misses out today through suspension, having been handed his 10th caution of the season last weekend.
Form wise, it's been a really bad run for the Toon Army, who have now lost their last six on the spin under manager John Carver. Of their remaining games, Newcastle play three of the teams below them during the run-in, so perhaps today represents a good opportunity to beat a team that has little of note to play for now.
Garry Monk of course will disagree, and the Swans boss will be keen to return to winning ways after that 2-0 loss to the Foxes, and a 1-1 draw with Everton prior to that. In truth, an 8th placed finish would represent a fantastic first full campaign in charge for Monk, who has had to deal with the exits of key men such as Wilfried Bony, Ben Davies and Michel Vorm over the last nine months.
Newcastle's biggest problem has been scoring goals, having only found the net on two occasions since their last league win - back in February against Aston Villa. The absence of Papiss Cisse, whose seven match ban continues today, is a big loss, and it's no surprise that they have scored so few goals since he's been out of the team.
Since Bony's departure, Swansea's ability to score goals has obviously been hindered, but the basis for their good season has been a solid defensive unit. Monk has the team well drilled, and they've kept 11 clean sheets so far this term.
UPDATE: Full time in the Premier League's early kick off, with Southampton and Spurs playing out an entertaining 2-2 draw. Graziano Pelle twice put the Saints in front, but levellers from Erik Lamela and Nacer Chadli ensured the game ended all square.
As I stated earlier, the Toon Army are welcoming De Jong back into the squad for the first time in six months this afternoon, and they're clearly happy to have him back involved.
Welcome back to the squad, @siemdejong! #NUFC pic.twitter.com/HZAsljzH5Z
— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) April 25, 2015
Swansea meanwhile are hoping that Newcastle's poor home form against them continues...
STAT: Against no side have @NUFC played more @premierleague home games without a win than they have against #Swans (level with Hull).
— Swansea City FC (@SwansOfficial) April 25, 2015
Speaking of their head to head record against each other, the teams shared a 2-2 draw when they last met back in October. Cisse scored a brace for Newcastle, while Bony and Routledge responded for Monk's men. None of the goalscorers feature today, for one reason or another! Prior to that, Swansea had won four on the bounce against today's opponents.
We just a few minutes away from kick off here now, and the teams have emerged from the tunnel.
Both teams are in their home strips. We're just about to have a minute's silence in memory of the Bradford City fire disaster. This weekend marks the 30th anniversary of the event.
Superbly observed silence by all in attendance at St James' Park today.
KICK OFF: The home side get us underway.
Newcastle look bright, with Riviere seeming particularly lively. Swansea looked to spark one early counter attack but Williamson covered the danger very well.
The Swans look really comfortable in possession here, with most of the ball being played between their backline so far.
Dyer gets into a promising position down the Swansea right. He cuts into the box and looks to roll a simple pass across, however his effort is poor and Coloccini smacks the ball clear.
Absolutely no goalmouth action to speak of here so far, with both teams simply happy to settle into the match this afternoon.
Fabianski communicates well with Williams to claim a low cross into the box from Anita. Perez was lurking behind the Swansea captain, but his goalkeeper was nice and quick off his line.
Perez wins the game's first corner, knocking the ball off of Rangel after Gutierrez had won it with an excellent tackle. From the resulting kick, Fabianski comes to punch, flapping it instead behind for another corner. This next one is cleared with ease.
Newcastle are pressuring well, forcing Swansea to clear quickly whenever they give the ball up. Anita races down the left from their latest break, sending in a long, high ball to the back post. Perez is there and meets it, but in truth it was an extremely difficult chance that he would have done very well to convert.
CHANCE: Dyer overcooks a cross into the box, forcing Janmaat to clear behind. Captain Williams meets the corner, beating Coloccini in the air. Despite reaching the ball first, he glances his header wide when perhaps he should have at least put it on target.
CHANCE: Williamson makes a mess of clearing the ball. Sigurdsson picks up the loose ball, eyeing up an onrushing Montero at the back post. The little winger meets it, but his jump is mistimed and he gets there far too early, heading over the bar.
Things have got a little scrappy now, with both teams exchanging possession in midfield regularly.
GOAL FOR NEWCASTLE!
Perez gets his first goal of 2015, following excellent play from Riviere down the left hand side. The Frenchman accelerated past Jack Cork, skipping into the area. He played a low ball across with the outside of his foot into a dangerous area, and when Fabianski came for it, his own defender Amat touched it past him. Alone in the six yard box, Perez had the easy task of rolling the ball into the net and giving Newcastle the lead.
After the error from Amat, Oliviera nearly steals the ball off the toes of Tim Krul down the other end! Newcastle can't afford to be giving up any easy gifts themselves today.
Dyer gets fouled, allowing Sigurdsson to whip the ball into the area. Newcastle clear the danger and get out quickly, pressuring the away side very impressively.
SAVE: Sigurdsson sprays the ball out to Rangel on the right. He looks as if he's in perfect crossing position - and I think he is attempting to set up a teammate - but instead he slices the ball high towards goal. It requires Krul to claim it, and he holds it at the first attempt.
Montero runs at the Newcastle defence, who seem happy to back off. The wide man is encourage to shoot, slicing an effort high of the bar with his weaker foot.
Ref Neil Swarbrick decides that Sigurdsson has upended Gutierrez. The Icelandic midfielder laughs it off, as in truth the decision really could have gone either way.
Really strange game this; it feels like a mid table clash between two teams with little to play for! The atmosphere is quite flat, despite the home side currently leading. On the pitch, neither team is playing with much pace, and there are a lot of niggly fouls all over the pitch.
YELLOW CARD: Speaking of niggly fouls, Anita upends Rangel just outside the box, picking up today's first caution.
Sigurdsson shrugs off Taylor and has a pop from distance. Krul takes it comfortably.
YELLOW CARD: Now Swansea's makeshift left back goes into the book, with Amat fouling Cabella. He can have no complaints.
SAVE: Excellent save from Fabianski, coming from the best piece of football we've seen so far. Anita gets down the left once more, delivering a superb ball right on to Riviere's head. The forward does well, directing a header downwards, but Fabianski palms it wide of his post. Great stop.
Injury stoppage after Janmaat and Montero clash accidentally. Swansea's winger looks ok, but Newcastle's flying Dutchman looks a little dazed.
GOAL FOR SWANSEA CITY!
Finally, the Swans take advantage from a corner kick. They've won every single ball from a set piece so far I think, and this time Oliviera smashes a header downwards and bouncing past Krul in a flash. There's nobody on the post, so we'll be heading into half time level here.
NEWCASTLE UNITED 1-1 SWANSEA CITY
I would say that the equaliser has stunned the crowd or changed the atmosphere here, but in truth it's been lacking all half. You can feel the discontent amongst the fans, even though Carver's men took the lead through Perez after 20 minutes.
Swansea are probably good value for that late equaliser to be fair, despite having not created too much. They look pretty lively when they do get forward, and they've won every corner, like I previously said.
It will be interesting to see if that goal takes the wind out of Newcastle's sails after the break, though at the moment they're at least on track to pick up a first point in seven games.
RESTART! Swansea kick us back off, kicking from right to left.
Janmaat looks to have recovered that knock to the face that he picked up during the first period. Early on here, he intercepts Montero, who tries to skip by him and set up an early chance.
Sloppy tackle from Fernandez on Cabella, allowing Newcastle a free kick in shooting range.
CLOSE: Taylor is the one to take the set piece, curling a right footed effort just wide of Fabianski's upright. The Pole withdrew his arms, so clearly knew that the effort was just off target.
GOAL FOR SWANSEA CITY!
All of a sudden, Newcastle are staring a seventh consecutive defeat in the face. A poor kick from Krul is won in midfield by Shelvey. He exchanges passes with Montero, who skips once more down the left. He slides a low ball into the box, Oliviera dummies it superbly, allowing the onrushing Sigurdsson to pick it up. The midfielder keeps his composure impressively and simply side foots a finish into Krul's net.
Newcastle are trying to respond and have won a succession of corners. From the most dangerous, Fabianski punches clear.
Excellent work from Krul, who emerges off his line as Oliviera looks to get in on goal. From their next attack, Montero crosses to the back post towards Dyer, but Anita comes out on top.
There's no urgency from Newcastle at all today. This is a team that has checked out as far as I can see - they're on their holidays a month early.
CHANCE: Sloppy from Williamson, who dithers in possession, giving Oliviera the chance to get in on goal. Fortunately, the centre half recovers and nips the ball back away, but that was a chance for Swansea. Meanwhile, Janmaat is receiving treatment once again.
SUBSTITUTION FOR NEWCASTLE: As suspected, Janmaat is having to leave this one. Abeid comes on in his place.
It feels like there is just a few minutes left. John Carver is standing in his technical area, arms folded, seemingly bereft of ideas. Life on Tyneside post-Pardew is not going as well as had been hoped.
It feels like there is just a few minutes left. John Carver is standing in his technical area, arms folded, seemingly bereft of ideas. Life on Tyneside post-Pardew is not going as well as had been hoped.
Swansea are in complete control now, passing the ball at will. It would be a surprise to see Newcastle get back level in this one.
SUBSTITUTION FOR SWANSEA CITY: Youngster Matt Grimes enters the fray, on for the impressive Montero. The Ecuadorian was really good today, proving to be a constant menace down the Swansea left.
GOAL FOR SWANSEA CITY!
Just appalling defending from the home side, who fall further behind. Cork plays Oliviera into a wide area and continues his run into the six yard box. The striker pulls the ball back, through Williamson's legs, and the ex-Southampton man Cork is there to tap in the third. Nice move, but woeful stuff at the back from Newcastle.
SUBSTITUTION FOR SWANSEA: Ki Sung Yueng comes on for Oliviera, who has a goal and an assist to his name today.
SUBSTITUTION FOR NEWCASTLE: Double change for the hosts, who introduce Armstrong and De Jong in place of Cabella and Riviere.
Shelvey plays a lovely ball out into the path of Dyer. Had his first touch been better, Swansea surely would've been in once again.
SAVE: It's taken half an hour, but Newcastle have finally created something this half. De Jong wins the ball in the air, knocking it into the path of Perez. The striker beats everyone else to it, but fires at Fabianski, who again does well to hold.
SHOT: Perez again tries an effort, this time skewing wide from the edge of the box.
SAVE: Swansea break, with Dyer, Ki and Shelvey all involved. The ball reaches Grimes, who is in far too much space, and the move breaks down. Shelvey then wins it back and lashes a shot at Krul's goal. It swerves in the air, but the Dutchman keeps it out.
SUBSTITUTION FOR SWANSEA: Sigurdsson departs, with Emnes on in his place for the last 10 minutes.
The home fans look extremely glum. There is plenty of head-shaking and discussion in the stands, and the negativity around the club at present surely can't be helping the players on the pitch. With Sunderland, QPR, Leicester and Hull all currently in positions to pick up points today, things really aren't looking good for Newcastle.
Dangerous ball comes into the Swansea box. Coloccini swivels and fires a shot goalwards, but Fernandez gets in a great block.
GOAL FOR NEWCASTLE!
Brilliant goal from the returning De Jong, who volleys home following an excellent cross from Colback. The midfielder picked the ball up, looked up, and picked out the Dutchman at the back post. De Jong met it superbly, giving Fabianski no chance to keep it out.
Despite the goal and the slightest offering of hope of Newcastle claiming a point, many of the fans have decided that they have seen enough and are heading for the exits.
Four minutes will be added on.
Colback forces a corner and Tim Krul has joined the attack!
The ball comes in and Krul is the closest to it. However, he goes in hands first - as if he's defending it - and almost beats Fabianski to the punch. Someone needs to tell him that it's illegal to handle in both boxes, unfortunately.
FULL TIME: NEWCASTLE UNITED 2-3 SWANSEA CITY
And it's seven in a row for Newcastle, but it's not a record that they're going to enjoy having. Boo's ring around the stadium, with Carver darting down the tunnel in double quick time. The fans are leaving sharpish too, although those that are staying are simply standing around looking lost at what is currently going on at the club.
Newcastle were particularly poor during the second half, but that does not detract from how comfortable Swansea looked after the break. It was far too easy for Monk's team to create chances, and they deservedly ended up taking all three points.
Thanks for joining us here on Sports Mole. We'll have reaction to this, and all of today's Premier League matches, coming up on the website over the next few hours.
Written by
Joe McPhee
Joe McPhee
