Newcastle United 3, Swansea City 0

Nov 30 2009 by Mark Douglas, The Journal

Starting well was essential and the first ten minutes were a dream for Hughton's men. Gutierrez combined beautifully with Harewood and Lovenkrands to open up Swansea after six minutes and it was a sign of things to come.

More good football preceded the opening goal as Danny Guthrie knocked a quick corner kick to Alan Smith, whose cross was nodded into the path of a grateful Harewood by Coloccini. One up and with confidence surging through black and white veins, United added a second when Gutierrez roamed down the left to float an excellent ball into the path of the impressive Lovenkrands.

That was the sign for the first 'ole's' from the home crowd but their side weren't finished. This time it was Lovenkrands who had joy down the left flank, sweeping a terrific cross into the path of Harewood to power a third headed goal past the shell-shocked Dorus De Vries.

At that point, United were looking ominous. But Coloccini deservedly winning the man of the match award was an indication of the way the game was to develop.

The Argentina defender was pilloried in his first season for performances that were anything but worthy of his eight-figure price tag but he was elegance personified against the Swans.

United drifted away in the second half as Swansea dominated possession but the result never looked in doubt. If they keep their heads for the next six months, surely the same sentiment applies to their promotion claims.