Liberty Stadium
Barclays Premier League
(Attendance: 19,874)
Cisse (69)
Swansea 0 Newcastle 2
By Anthony Marshall - Newcastle United Club Reporter
At The Liberty Stadium
Swansea City 0
Newcastle United 2 (Cisse 5, 69)
Papiss Cisse netted yet another double as Newcastle recorded a 2-0 victory over Swansea City at the Liberty Stadium on Good Friday.
The Senegalese international striker took his tally to nine goals in just eight appearances since arriving in Tyneside in January, with a strike in each half as the Magpies climbed to fifth place in the Premier League table - for the time being at least.
It was Cisse's third brace in United colours, following on from wins over West Brom and Liverpool. His first, after just five minutes, was relatively simple - a composed side-foot finish into the far corner after Yohan Cabaye had played him in.
But Cisse saved the best for after the break. Again set-up by Cabaye, the prolific front man lifted an audacious lobbed finish over Swansea keeper Michel Vorm to nestle in the back of the net.
The hosts had plenty of possession throughout but were restricted to mainly long-range efforts, with midfielder Gylfi Sigurdsson their main threat.
Inside two minutes Swansea had created the first opportunity. Ba was robbed of possession just outside his own area by Gylfi Sigurdsson, who played a neat one-two with Nathan Dyer but was unable to keep his low shot on target as it flashed across the face of goal.
But United broke the deadlock just three minutes later. Cabaye's through ball found Cisse in space 15 yards out and the former SC Freiburg man let it run into his path before placing a shot past Michel Vorm and into the bottom corner.
The hosts attempted to hit back, and Dyer's step-over allowed full-back Angel Rangel the chance to strike first time but, under pressure from Ba, he was unable to keep his effort down
Joe Allen went closer still in the 16th minute, warming the palms of Krul with a low shot from outside the box which was pretty straightforward for United's Dutch international stopper.
But it wasn't all pressure from the Swans, as Newcastle broke at pace, with Ba outpacing Steven Caulker, only to see his drive well blocked by centre-back Ashley Williams.
Hatem Ben Arfa had made a quiet start to proceedings by his high standards, but the wide man sprung into life on 23 minutes. Receiving the ball on the halfway line, he put it through the legs of full-back Neil Taylor, running round to take control again and promptly drove towards the penalty area, cutting inside and drilling a low shot on target which Vorm did well to gather.
Swansea were playing the sort of attractive, passing football which has earned them plenty of plaudits in their first season in the top flight, and a lovely, flowing move almost ended with an equaliser for the hosts on the half-hour mark.
Only the fingertips of Krul prevented Sigurdsson's long-range strike from finding the top corner, with Caulker sending a free header over the top from the resulting corner.
Krul was again the scourge of Sigurdsson when Swansea's Icelandic midfielder tried his luck direct from a free-kick with five minutes of the half remaining, but the big stopper was well-placed to stoop and gather his effort.
Swansea had enjoyed 71 per cent possession in the first half, and made an impressive start to the second period, with that man Sigurdsson forcing an early corner with a deflected shot.
Ryan Taylor had been introduced at half-time in place of Cheick Tiote and he almost gifted the home side a leveller on 53 minutes. Taylor's weak clearance fell straight to Joe Allen, who picked his spot and forced a save from Krul which was unorthadox, with the keeper relieved to see the ball end up past his post for a corner.
United's chances were few and far between as they were forced to soak up constant Swansea pressure and possession, but Cisse had the chance to double their advantage in the 65th minute. Ben Arfa fed the in-form front man as the visitors broke at pace, but Cisse dragged his shot wide of the far upright.
The hosts reacted by making a double change, replacing Dyer and Moore with Danny Graham and Scott Sinclair, and the latter almost made an immediate impact, cutting in from the left to fire wide via a slight deflection.
But Newcastle headed straight back up the other end and made it two thanks to an outstanding finish from Cisse. Another counter-attack saw Ben Arfa carry the ball down the right before knocking it inside to Cabaye.
The French midfielder played in Cisse on the left-hand side of the box, and he still had plenty to do before lifting a brilliant finish over Vorm and into the far corner. On first glance it looked to have got a deflection off the Swansea defender who was challenging him, but in fact Cisse just picked his spot superbly and executed it even better.
From then on it was a case of seeing the game out for United, who were again superb at the back thanks to excellent displays from Danny Simpson, Mike Williamson, James Perch and, in particular, Davide Santon.
Swansea provided no more threat aside from a late Sigurdsson free-kick which was easily dealt with by Krul, and the visitors were left to celebrate three huge points on their travels, taking their 100 per cent run to four games.
Swansea City (4-3-3): Michel Vorm; Angel Rangel, Ashley Williams (c), Steven Caulker, Neil Taylor, Leon Britton, Joe Allen, Gylfi Sigurdsson; Nathan Dyer (Scott Sinclair 66), Luke Moore (Danny Graham 66), Wayne Routledge
Subs not used: Gerhard Tremmel, Alan Tate, Garry Monk, Josh McEachran, Mark Gower
Newcastle United (4-3-3): Tim Krul; Danny Simpson, James Perch, Mike Williamson, Davide Santon; Yohan Cabaye (Dan Gosling 73), Cheick Tiote (Ryan Taylor 46), Jonas Gutierrez (c); Hatem Ben Arfa, Papiss Cisse, Demba Ba (Shane Ferguson 59)
Subs not used: Rob Elliot, James Tavernier, Mehdi Abeid, Shola Ameobi
Referee: Howard Webb (Yorkshire)
Attendance: 19,874
Handball by Danny Simpson(Newcastle). Free kick taken right-footed by Gylfi Sigurdsson(Swansea) from left channel (25 yards), save (caught) by Tim Krul(Newcastle).
Defending throw-in by Danny Simpson(Newcastle).
Attacking throw-in by Neil Taylor(Swansea).
Defending throw-in by Ashley Williams(Swansea).
Attacking throw-in by Neil Taylor(Swansea).
Defending throw-in by Neil Taylor(Swansea).
Attacking throw-in by Neil Taylor(Swansea).
Foul by Gylfi Sigurdsson(Swansea) on Jonas Gutierrez(Newcastle). Direct free kick taken left-footed by Tim Krul(Newcastle) from own half, resulting in open play.
Foul by Danny Simpson(Newcastle) on Scott Sinclair(Swansea). Direct free kick taken right-footed by Joe Allen(Swansea) from left wing, passed.
Goal kick taken long by Tim Krul(Newcastle).
Cross by Neil Taylor(Swansea), resulting in ball out of play.
Defending throw-in by Angel Rangel(Swansea).
Goal kick taken long by Tim Krul(Newcastle).
Inswinging corner from left by-line taken right-footed by Gylfi Sigurdsson(Swansea) to centre, header by Ashley Williams(Swansea) from right side of six-yard box (6 yards), missed right.
Attacking throw-in by Angel Rangel(Swansea).
Foul by Ashley Williams(Swansea) on Dan Gosling(Newcastle). Direct free kick taken right-footed by Ryan Taylor(Newcastle) from right wing, passed.
Attacking throw-in by Angel Rangel(Swansea).
Defending throw-in by Davide Santon(Newcastle).
Defending throw-in by Neil Taylor(Swansea).
Shot by Scott Sinclair(Swansea) right-footed from left channel (20 yards), save (caught) by Tim Krul(Newcastle).
Goal kick taken short by Michel Vorm(Swansea).
Foul by Shane Ferguson(Newcastle) on Leon Britton(Swansea). Free kick crossed right-footed by Gylfi Sigurdsson(Swansea) from right wing, clearance by Mike Williamson(Newcastle).
Goal kick taken short by Michel Vorm(Swansea).
Cross by Papiss Cisse(Newcastle), resulting in ball out of play.
Foul by Wayne Routledge(Swansea) on Jonas Gutierrez(Newcastle). Direct free kick taken left-footed by Tim Krul(Newcastle) from own half, resulting in open play.
Goal kick taken long by Tim Krul(Newcastle).
Newcastle substitution: Yohan Cabaye replaced by Dan Gosling (tactical).
Shot by Gylfi Sigurdsson(Swansea) right-footed from left channel (20 yards), missed right.
Cross by Wayne Routledge(Swansea), clearance by James Perch(Newcastle).
Attacking throw-in by Angel Rangel(Swansea).
Shot by Scott Sinclair(Swansea) right-footed from left channel (20 yards), save (caught) by Tim Krul(Newcastle).
Goal by Papiss Cisse(Newcastle) right-footed (bottom-right of goal) from left side of penalty area (12 yards).Swansea 0-2 Newcastle. Assist (pass) by Yohan Cabaye(Newcastle) from right channel.
Inswinging corner from left by-line taken right-footed by Gylfi Sigurdsson(Swansea) to centre, resulting in open play.
Shot by Scott Sinclair(Swansea) left-footed from left side of penalty area (12 yards), blocked by Ryan Taylor(Newcastle).
Attacking throw-in by Angel Rangel(Swansea).
Swansea substitution: Luke Moore replaced by Danny Graham (tactical).Swansea substitution: Nathan Dyer replaced by Scott Sinclair (tactical).
Goal kick taken short by Michel Vorm(Swansea).
Shot by Papiss Cisse(Newcastle) right-footed from right side of penalty area (18 yards), missed left.
Goal kick taken short by Michel Vorm(Swansea).
Goal kick taken long by Michel Vorm(Swansea).
Attacking throw-in by Davide Santon(Newcastle).
Attacking throw-in by Angel Rangel(Swansea).
Attacking throw-in by Davide Santon(Newcastle).
Goal kick taken long by Tim Krul(Newcastle).
Shot by Luke Moore(Swansea) left-footed from left channel (20 yards), missed right.
Defending throw-in by Angel Rangel(Swansea).
Foul by Ashley Williams(Swansea) on Papiss Cisse(Newcastle). Ashley Williams(Swansea) booked for unsporting behaviour.Newcastle substitution: Demba Ba replaced by Shane Ferguson (tactical). Free kick crossed right-footed by Ryan Taylor(Newcastle) from right channel, resulting in open play.
Attacking throw-in by Angel Rangel(Swansea).
Attacking throw-in by Neil Taylor(Swansea).
Cross by Joe Allen(Swansea), header by Steven Caulker(Swansea) from centre of penalty area (6 yards), save (caught) by Tim Krul(Newcastle).
Outswinging corner from right by-line taken right-footed by Gylfi Sigurdsson(Swansea) to far post, clearance by Demba Ba(Newcastle).
Shot by Angel Rangel(Swansea) left-footed from centre of penalty area (12 yards), blocked by Jonas Gutierrez(Newcastle).
Cross by Gylfi Sigurdsson(Swansea), resulting in open play.
Corner from left by-line taken short right-footed by Gylfi Sigurdsson(Swansea).
Cross by Angel Rangel(Swansea), clearance by Danny Simpson(Newcastle).
Shot by Joe Allen(Swansea) right-footed from right channel (25 yards), save (blocked) by Tim Krul(Newcastle). Outswinging corner from right by-line taken right-footed by Gylfi Sigurdsson(Swansea) to centre, save (caught) by Tim Krul(Newcastle).
Cross by Angel Rangel(Swansea), clearance by Ryan Taylor(Newcastle).
Goal kick taken short by Michel Vorm(Swansea).
Cross by Hatem Ben Arfa(Newcastle), resulting in ball out of play.
Attacking throw-in by Hatem Ben Arfa(Newcastle).
Defending throw-in by Danny Simpson(Newcastle).
Attacking throw-in by Neil Taylor(Swansea).
Foul by Nathan Dyer(Swansea) on Ryan Taylor(Newcastle). Direct free kick taken left-footed by Tim Krul(Newcastle) from own half, resulting in open play.
Attacking throw-in by Angel Rangel(Swansea).
Cross by Neil Taylor(Swansea), blocked by Danny Simpson(Newcastle).
Corner from right by-line taken short right-footed by Joe Allen(Swansea). Cross by Gylfi Sigurdsson(Swansea), clearance by Papiss Cisse(Newcastle).
Shot by Gylfi Sigurdsson(Swansea) right-footed from centre of penalty area (18 yards), blocked by Yohan Cabaye(Newcastle).
Newcastle substitution: Cheick Tiote replaced by Ryan Taylor (injury).
Attacking throw-in by Danny Simpson(Newcastle).
Foul by Luke Moore(Swansea) on Jonas Gutierrez(Newcastle). Direct free kick taken left-footed by Tim Krul(Newcastle) from own half, resulting in open play.
Attacking throw-in by Neil Taylor(Swansea).
Attacking throw-in by Angel Rangel(Swansea).
Shot by Gylfi Sigurdsson(Swansea) left-footed from centre of penalty area (18 yards), blocked by James Perch(Newcastle).
Attacking throw-in by Angel Rangel(Swansea).
Davide Santon(Newcastle) caught offside. Indirect free kick taken right-footed by Angel Rangel(Swansea) from own half, passed.
Foul by Mike Williamson(Newcastle) on Luke Moore(Swansea). Mike Williamson(Newcastle) booked for unsporting behaviour. Free kick taken right-footed by Gylfi Sigurdsson(Swansea) from right channel (30 yards), save (caught) by Tim Krul(Newcastle).
Cross by Angel Rangel(Swansea), clearance by James Perch(Newcastle).
Attacking throw-in by Angel Rangel(Swansea).
Foul by Demba Ba(Newcastle) on Ashley Williams(Swansea). Direct free kick taken left-footed by Neil Taylor(Swansea) from left wing, passed.
Defending throw-in by Danny Simpson(Newcastle).
Attacking throw-in by Angel Rangel(Swansea).
Foul by Nathan Dyer(Swansea) on Jonas Gutierrez(Newcastle). Direct free kick taken left-footed by Tim Krul(Newcastle) from own half, resulting in open play.
Cross by Angel Rangel(Swansea), resulting in open play.
Foul by Demba Ba(Newcastle) on Ashley Williams(Swansea). Direct free kick taken right-footed by Ashley Williams(Swansea) from own half, passed.
Goal kick taken long by Tim Krul(Newcastle).
Outswinging corner from left by-line taken right-footed by Gylfi Sigurdsson(Swansea) to near post, header by Steven Caulker(Swansea) from centre of penalty area (6 yards), over the bar.
Shot by Gylfi Sigurdsson(Swansea) right-footed from right channel (25 yards), save (tipped over) by Tim Krul(Newcastle).
Goal kick taken long by Tim Krul(Newcastle).
Cross by Nathan Dyer(Swansea), resulting in ball out of play.
Defending throw-in by Davide Santon(Newcastle).
Goal kick taken long by Tim Krul(Newcastle).
Shot by Hatem Ben Arfa(Newcastle) left-footed from right channel (25 yards), save (caught) by Michel Vorm(Swansea).
Attacking throw-in by Davide Santon(Newcastle).
Attacking throw-in by Angel Rangel(Swansea).
Foul by Luke Moore(Swansea) on Mike Williamson(Newcastle). Direct free kick taken left-footed by Tim Krul(Newcastle) from own half, resulting in open play.
Shot by Joe Allen(Swansea) right-footed from right channel (25 yards), blocked by Cheick Tiote(Newcastle).
Cross by Wayne Routledge(Swansea), clearance by Mike Williamson(Newcastle).
Foul by Danny Simpson(Newcastle) on Wayne Routledge(Swansea). Direct free kick taken left-footed by Neil Taylor(Swansea) from left wing, passed.
Defending throw-in by Davide Santon(Newcastle).
Attacking throw-in by Davide Santon(Newcastle).
Shot by Demba Ba(Newcastle) left-footed from left channel (18 yards), blocked by Steven Caulker(Swansea).
Shot by Joe Allen(Swansea) left-footed from left channel (20 yards), save (caught) by Tim Krul(Newcastle).
Goal kick taken long by Tim Krul(Newcastle).
Shot by Angel Rangel(Swansea) right-footed from right side of penalty area (18 yards), missed right.
Defending throw-in by Davide Santon(Newcastle).
Demba Ba(Newcastle) caught offside. Indirect free kick taken right-footed by Leon Britton(Swansea) from own half, passed.
Foul by Luke Moore(Swansea) on James Perch(Newcastle). Direct free kick taken left-footed by Tim Krul(Newcastle) from own half, resulting in open play.
Cross by Angel Rangel(Swansea), clearance by Mike Williamson(Newcastle).
Attacking throw-in by Neil Taylor(Swansea).
Cross by Wayne Routledge(Swansea), clearance by Davide Santon(Newcastle).
Defending throw-in by Davide Santon(Newcastle).
Attacking throw-in by Angel Rangel(Swansea).
Foul by Joe Allen(Swansea) on Cheick Tiote(Newcastle). Free kick crossed left-footed by Hatem Ben Arfa(Newcastle) from right wing, clearance by Angel Rangel(Swansea).
Foul by Joe Allen(Swansea) on Cheick Tiote(Newcastle). Direct free kick taken left-footed by Hatem Ben Arfa(Newcastle) from right wing, resulting in open play.
Defending throw-in by Neil Taylor(Swansea).
Foul by Demba Ba(Newcastle) on Nathan Dyer(Swansea). Direct free kick taken right-footed by Angel Rangel(Swansea) from own half, passed.
Goal by Papiss Cisse(Newcastle) right-footed (bottom-left of goal) from centre of penalty area (18 yards).Swansea 0-1 Newcastle. Assist (pass) by Yohan Cabaye(Newcastle) from left channel.
Goal kick taken long by Tim Krul(Newcastle).
Shot by Gylfi Sigurdsson(Swansea) right-footed from right side of penalty area (6 yards), missed left.