Jamaal Lascelles provided a welcome tonic for ailing
Newcastle United manager Rafael Benitez as his late goal secured a 1-0 win at
Swansea City on Sunday.
Benitez was forced
to miss his side’s trip to south Wales while he recovered from an infection. The 57-year-old Spaniard had an operation on
Monday to address an infection resulting from an earlier hernia operation and
was unable to recover in time to travel with his squad. But Benitez’s absence
didn’t affect Newcastle’s players and captain Lascelles boosted the former
Liverpool manager’s spirits with his headed winner in the closing stages at the
Liberty Stadium.
Newcastle’s second
win lifted them into mid-table, providing Benitez with hope they can avoid
relegation despite their lack of top-class signings since last season’s
promotion. They were fortunate to finish
with 11 men after Matt Ritchie escaped a red card for the sort of high foot
just after half-time on Alfie Mawson which saw Sadio Mane sent off for
Liverpool at Manchester City on Saturday.
Newcastle went
close after 33 minutes when Ritchie’s cross was met by the head of Joselu and
Lukasz Fabianski sprang to his left to pull off a fantastic one-handed save. Swansea threatened when Isaac Hayden lost out
to Tammy Abraham and the ball ran to Jordan Ayew, whose 20-yard shot forced Rob
Elliot to parry wide. Swansea should have taken the lead on the hour mark when
Leroy Fer released Abraham and the striker rounded Elliot for what looked a
simple finish.
But Lascelles
stretched to block and the Newcastle fans behind the goal celebrated as if they
had taken the lead. They almost did go
in front when Ayoze Perez forced Fabianski into saving with his outstretched
leg. Swansea were not let off the hook and Lascelles rose majestically to head
home from close range in the 76th minute. Elliot protected the three points
with a fine late stop from Swansea substitute Luciano Narsingh.
AFP, channels
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