Swansea out of relegation zone after 1-0 win over Watford

Swansea City moved out of the relegation zone with a win over Watford in front of new manager Francesco Guidolin at the Liberty Stadium on Monday night.

He has therefore turned to Guidolin, who has extensive experience in Italy and has also coached Monaco in France’s Ligue 1, his most renowned spell coming at Udinese between 2010 and 2014 when he twice steered the unfashionable Serie A club into the Champions League.

The former Udinese coach watched from the stands as Ashley Williams’ first-half header sealed the points for the hosts in the Premier League match at the Liberty Stadium.

Ashley Williams admits the Swansea City squad had to research new head coach Francesco Guidolin to learn about his credentials.

The 60-year-old has, as expected, been recruited by the top-flight strugglers to work alongside interim manager Alan Curtis initially until the end of the season, but the Swans have revealed Guidolin will have the final say on team selection.

Odion Ighalo failed to direct his header goalwards in the 21st minute, but Swansea’s pressure eventually told in the 27th minute as Sung-Yueng Ki was allowed time to cross from the right and Williams rose highest to head home.

Swansea did enough to pick up three points here but it was not a hugely convincing performance and Watford, who slumped to a fourth straight league defeat, proved to be obliging opponents.

Swansea City is now eighteenth in the Premier League with 19 points having won 4 games, drawn 7 and lost 10.

‘I am sure once we get out on the training field and he gets his ideas across, we will be okay.

Alan Curtis took temporary control of the Swans upon Monk’s sacking, and will remain in charge until the end of the season.

“We got a bit edgy in the second half, but that’s the situation we find ourselves in”.

“If he can get those performance and eke out results as well then that’s what we’ll be looking for”.

Watford boss Quique Sanchez Flores was disappointed with his side’s first-half display and the result, but pointed out that they were much improved after the break. They defended every ball into the box as well.

Swansea said both parties had agreed to review the position at the end of the season. “I’ve realised how tough it is”, he said.