Swansea City secured a last gasp win over Newcastle United at St. James’ Park on Saturday, as a double from Wilfried Bony did the damage in a stunning comeback.
Newcastle took the lead early on when Shola Ameobi slotted home, but right on the stroke of half time Bony headed home a sumptuous cross from the right to send the teams in level. After the break both teams searched to go ahead, but the pivotal moment didn’t arrive until the 91st minute when Cheick Tiote brought down Marvin Emnes for a penalty and Bony stepped up to coolly slot the spot kick home.
The 2-1 win sees Swansea move onto 36 points and all but secure their safety in the race against relegation, while Newcastle suffered a fifth-straight defeat as they remain in ninth.
(Premier League Roundup: Chelsea blow it, Swansea, Spurs and Palace win)
It was an even start at a sunny St. James’ Park, as both sides zipped the ball around but neither carved out clear cut opportunities in the opening stages. Referee Chris Foy was then involved in the thick of things, as a shot from Jonjo Shelvey was blocked by Fabricio Coloccini and the ball ricocheted straight into Foy’s face as he hit the floor. The referee received treatment and eventually saw the funny side of it, as the game continued with Foy getting plenty of ‘banter’ from the 50,000 plus fans inside St. James’.
Swansea pressed for the opener, as Jonathan de Guzman’s near post cross was cleared away by Mike Williamson just before Bony could pounce to shoot. However, the home side then went ahead with their first goal in five PL matches. Target man Ameobi flicked the ball on to find Luuk de Jong, who laid the ball back into Ameobi’s path for the Newcastle veteran to slot home just his second goal in 55 PL matches.
(MORE: Latest Premier League standings)
After early being smashed in the face by the ball, referee Foy had to be replaced after feeling nauseous as fourth official Anthony Taylor took control of the match. Then Newcastle lost both their strikers as Papiss Demba Cisse and de Jong had to leave the pitch through injury. For the rest of the first half Swansea tried to get back level and right on the stroke of half time they did just that. Ben Davies whipped in a delightful cross from the right and Bony rose like a salmon to nod home his 21st goal of the season to make it 1-1 at half time.
It was a subdued start to the second half at St. James’ as both teams felt their way into the second half. Newcastle went close in the 60th minute when Vernon Anita twisted away from his marker and rifled a 30-yard shot just wide of the far post. Newcastle were the better of the two teams and pushed to go ahead throughout the second half.
Yet Swansea went close in the 78th minute win de Guzman curled an effort towards the top corner that went narrowly over and landed on top of the net. In the final 10 minutes the Swans continued to push and Bony was played clean through but just as he tried to get control of the ball, Tim Krul rushed off his line to save Newcastle.
The game-winning moment arrived in stoppage time as substitute Emnes raced clear of Newcastle’s defense and was then brought down by Tiote to win a penalty kick. Bony stepped up to slot home the PK and send the traveling fans from Swansea into raptures, with the Swans holding on to secure a precious three points.
LINEUPS
Newcastle United: Krul; Coloccini, Williamson, Dummett; Anita, Gosling (Armstrong, 81'), Tiote, Gouffran; de Jong (Remy, 40'); Cisse (Debuchy, 21'), Sh Ameobi
Goal: Ameobi (23')
Swansea City: Vorm, Rangel, Amat, Williams, Davies, Britton, Shelvey, De Guzman, Routledge (Bartley, 94'), Hernandez (Emnes, 81'), Bony
Goals: Bony (45' & 90')