ON THIS DAY: Swans sign year off on winning note
29th December
Fulham 1-2 Swansea City
League One: Saturday, December 29, 2012
The Swans signed off 2012 in style with a 2-1 victory at Fulham thanks to goals in each half from Danny Graham and Jonathan de Guzman.
Graham, among seven changes in the starting XI, opened the scoring in the 19th minute following good work from Angel Rangel and Nathan Dyer.
The Swans doubled their lead in the second half, de Guzman coolly curling home after goalkeeper David Stockdale's clearance deflected off Brede Hangeland with the visitors taking immediate advantage.
But Fulham responded within two minutes, Dimitar Berbatov twice going close before the lively Bryan Ruiz found the net from six yards.
The Swans had to keep out huge pressure from the hosts, though Graham almost extended the lead on two occasions while Rangel was denied by a superb fingertip save from Stockdale.
It was enough to secure a fourth away win of the season, with Michael Laudrup's side entering 2013 on 28 points after 20 games and a spot in the top half.
Fulham: David Stockdale, Brede Hangeland (capt), Steve Sidwell, Dimitar Berbatov, Bryan Ruiz, Giorgos Karagounis, Matthew Briggs, Aaron Hughes, Sascha Riether, Ashkan Dejagah (Hugo Rollallega, 76), Kerim Frei (Philippe Senderos, 84).
Subs: Neil Etheridge, Stephen Kelly, John Arne Riise, Chris Baird, Kieran Richardson.
Swans: Gerhard Tremmel, Angel Rangel, Garry Monk (capt), Ashley Williams, Dwight Tiendalli, Kemy Agustien (Leon Britton, 82), Jonathan de Guzman, Wayne Routledge (Ki Sung-Yueng, ht), Nathan Dyer, Pablo Hernandez (Ben Davies, 67), Danny Graham.
Subs: Michel Vorm, Kyle Bartley, Itay Shechter, Luke Moore.
Referee: Andre Marriner
Attendance: 25,700
