Swansea's 11 match unbeaten run was ended at Newcastle this afternoon as they fell to a 3 goal defeat

REPORT: Wales Online

SWANSEA CITY’S unbeaten run came crashing to a halt as fallen giants Newcastle showed their Premiership class to capitalise on a first-half horror show and remain Championship frontrunners.

After all the hype and build-up of a highly anticipated trip to St James’ Park, the phrase anti-climax scarcely does justice to the disastrous start Swans fans witnessed in the north-east.

With barely half an hour gone, Paulo Sousa’s men were 3-0 down and talk of a historic victory had turned to fear of an embarrassing rout.

In scenes reminiscent of last season’s 4-0 thrashing at Reading, with Sousa’s troops looking nervous on the big stage, a Marlon Harewood brace and a Peter Lovenkrands header did the damage.

It was an unexpected capitulation to say the least and, with all three goals owing much to some sloppy Swans defending, for the first v fourth clash to be over so early was certainly a shock to the system.

Ironically, that’s the end of the bad news though.

While the run is well and truly over after 11 games unbeaten and this was a result to forget, the lasting memory from yesterday’s encounter actually offers plenty of hope for the future.

While most teams would be hanging on for dear life after such a shocking start, Swansea came out fighting.

Sousa has always insisted his team has a unique character, a mentality that will bring them success, and this was a prime example.

Admittedly Newcastle had probably taken their foot off the pedal but, for the final hour of the game, Chris Hughton’s men were made to look decidedly average.

The Swans showed their class, the defence looked much more like one with the most clean sheets in the division and, despite the scoreline, it was the visiting fans who found they had plenty to sing about.

Such was the turnaround that by the final whistle you couldn’t help but feel it should all have been so different.

Swansea didn’t really deserve to lose, let alone by such a comfortable margin.

But the Championship is a harsh league, happy to teach you a lesson whenever you give it a chance.

And, while all the pre-match interviews had insisted the occasion would not get the better of them, Sousa’s men paid the price for failing to settle on the biggest stage of the season.

A well-worked set-piece saw Andrea Orlandi play Marlon Harewood onside to head home after just eight minutes.

And, after Jonas Gutierrez glided past Nathan Dyer on the right, Lovenkrands was left unmarked to ensure a nightmare opening 20 minutes for the visitors.

That nightmare 20 soon turned into a horror half-hour as Jose Enrique was then given too much room down the right.

It was all too easy as the Spaniard then floated in another cross which, with the Swansea back four all at sea again, saw Harewood with time and space to head past a helpless Dorus de Vries and make it 3-0.

Strange as it sounds, that was to be the last of Newcastle’s domination though.

With the game as good as won, Hughton’s men seemed to ease off as the Swans about salvaging some pride.

With the superb Jack Army ignoring the score to remain in fine voice, Sousa’s men then showed their true character.

And, with the likes of Orlandi, Darren Pratley and Dyer leading the way, the next hour provided the spectacle many expected from the start.

Had it not been for two superb first-half saves from Magpies keeper Steve Harper, long-range efforts from Orlandi and Cedric van der Gun may even have reduced the deficit.

But Newcastle still have plenty of Premiership class and the veteran stopper is just one example.

The second half then saw the home fans grow increasingly frustrated by one of the most uncomfortable 3-0 wins ever witnessed.

Swansea’s defence had suddenly shored up and, with Newcastle struggling to even get hold of the ball at times, Dyer, Orlandi and substitute David Cotterill all went close.

A unique afternoon was probably best summed up by the fact that defender Fabricio Collocini was named man of the match.

Hughton’s attack may have sealed the points after just a third of the game, but it was his defence which was forced to earn them as the match progressed.

In the end, thanks to a goal-line clearance from Danny Simpson after Cotterill’s volley had beaten substitute keeper Tim Krul, Sousa’s men had nothing to show for their efforts.

There was at least some comfort at the other end, though as a point-blank save from de Vries prevented Alan Smith from rubbing salt in their wounds in injury time.

That was to be the last act of the game as Swansea tasted defeat for the first time since September 12.

But, on an afternoon when the points were gone after just 30 minutes, plenty of credit is due Sousa’s men for the fact their pride remained intact at the final whistle.

Photo: Action Images

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