Lapse in concentration cost us, says Garry Monk

4th October

Garry Monk felt a lapse in concentration cost his side two points after they drew 2-2 with Newcastle United at the Liberty Stadium.

The Swans went in front on two occasions, through strikes from Wilfried Bony and Wayne Routledge, but were twice pegged back by goals from Papiss Cisse.

Bony opened the scoring for the home side in the 17th minute when he coolly finished from 12-yards, following a clever one-two with Gylfi Sigurdsson.

But with the Swans seemingly in control, they were dealt a sucker punch shortly before half-time when Cisse turned home Yoan Gouffran's low driven cross to level the scores.

Five minutes into the second period, Routledge delightfully chipped home to restore Swansea's advantage, only for Cisse to yet again prove a menace when he prodded past Lukasz Fabianski from Sammy Ameobi's inviting ball into the box.

And Monk was left frustrated, having felt his side should have taken all three points from Saturday afternoon's Barclays Premier League encounter.



"It's two points dropped," declared the Swans boss. "The goals we conceded were poor from us. I think a lack of concentration cost us dearly.

"We were dominant, but possession almost became too easy. We need to learn very quickly not to get sloppy and lose concentration when we are in those situations. That was our downfall in the second goal.

"Overall, I think we should have won that game by at least a couple of goals. 

"Their 'keeper made some great saves but, when you don't put the game to bed, you always run the risk in this league of teams popping up with something. That happened twice today.

"Hopefully it will be lesson learned for us."



Meanwhile, Newcastle boss Alan Pardew praised his side for their show of character in coming from behind on two occasions to snatch a point away from home.

"When Swansea take the lead, it's very difficult to claw the game back because they keep possession so well," said Pardew. 

"They've played the same system for eight or nine years, and they do it very well.

"But we showed so much character today and real fight.

"We were determined to try and win the game. We wanted to really push for it. 

"I'm pleased with the goals. We were much more of a threat in the final third today."