Match Report And Ratings: Swansea 2 Vs 0 Newcastle

Steve McClaren reacted by taking off Papiss Cisse with Newcastle seemingly content to limit the damage. Newcastle, who play Manchester United next, can only dream of Europe.

“But it’s my job to stick up for my players to get the credit they deserve as much as when they deserve criticism”.

Swansea City may have won praise for getting a more direct edge to their game – but the old “Swanselona” style is still alive and well at the Liberty Stadium. “I don’t think you can judge us until 10 or 12 games into the season”.

Newcastle sub Steven Taylor said Janmaat had fronted up to the rest of the players in the dressing room over his moment of madness that left them struggling for 50 minutes.

Five minutes before half-time, the Dutchman was shown a second yellow card for tugging the 25-year-old’s shirt.

McClaren, cruelly dubbed the “Wally with the brolly” after defeat in a downpour during his final days as England boss, is still searching for his first win as Toon boss after two games in charge. The manager will have a new way of working I’m sure and it’s a fresh start for those players.

Martinez has long advocated the window should end before the season is underway, and his view has been reinforced by the continuing pursuit of one of his best players, defender John Stones, by Chelsea despite the London club having had two bids turned down. “We have to hold our hands up and say no excuses”.

In fact, we’ve had both Les Ferdinand and Chris Ramsey opt for a bit of brinkmanship on that score when making it clear they want a bid sooner rather than later.

The Welsh club – and winger Jefferson Montero in particular – caused Chelsea all sorts of problems last Saturday, with Bafetimbi Gomis’ penalty earning a well-deserved share of the spoils as Jose Mourinho’s team ended the match with 10 men. His physicality is just what Newcastle need though, insists Taylor, who said: “It is a welcome to the Premier League for him!”

Midfielder Vurnon Anita has been included in the Newcastle squad for Saturday’s Barclays Premier League trip to Swansea after overcoming a back injury.

“I knew we would be focused, I had no worries about them because of our maturity as a side”.

“Even before the sending-off we were playing some great football and were in complete control of the game”.

On eight minutes the former Liverpool man split the two Newcastle centre-backs with a wonderful pass that sent Gomis through on goal and after rounding Tim Krul easily, the striker tapped the ball into the empty net.