Laudrup delighted with home win
2nd March
Michael Laudrup praised his players after they reached the 40-point mark in the Premier League following a 1-0 win over Newcastle.
The Swans had the better of the first half but couldn't find a reward for their dominance as the teams went in all square at the break.
However, Newcastle stepped it up a gear in the second period and both Papiss Cisse and Yoan Gouffran wasted good chances to put them ahead.
But it was the Swans who grabbed all three points late on as substitute Luke Moore scrambled the ball home after chaos in the
visitors defence.
The win came less than a week after the club lifted the League Cup trophy at Wembley, and Laudrup was delighted with the way in which his
side put on a positive performance following last Sunday's euphoria.
"There was a lot to be pleased about today," he said. "Sometimes you can have a negative reaction, but I thought we were excellent today.
"The first half performance was particularly good but we just didn't score after creating some chances.
"In the second half they came into the game and put us under pressure with two or three very good chances. But they didn't score when they
were at their best and the late goal ended up deciding the game.
"It has been a great week for us."
With ten games left to play in the Premier League, the Swans have all but secured their top-flight status for another season.
Michael Laudrup's side were widely tipped to struggle this year following the success of their debut campaign at this level, but have
surpassed all expectations with a cup win and a place in the top half of the table.
And the Swans boss reiterated his desire to better the achievements of last season and push on to their next target.
"Everyone said 17th place would be good this season," he said. "But I always said lets get to 40 points and then go from there. However, I
didn't think that we would be there with ten games left to play.
"I think we can now go for the 50-point mark and to be in the top ten would be outstanding for this club."
Luke Moore once again popped up with a crucial goal, his first league strike since scoring the winner against Manchester City last March.
And Laudrup praised the impact of the former Aston Villa striker, as well as midfielder Ki Sung-Yueng who entered the fray midway through
the second half.
"It was a big goal in a very important game," he said. "We have been using a lot of the squad, particularly the last few months, and
everyone felt they were an important part of the team.
"Both Ki and Luke came on and gave us a little bit more strength at that time. But today's game just confirmed what I already thought.
"We have had some really great results this season, with some really great reactions afterwards.
"When you win a cup, there can always be a reaction. But we were at home, and you don't want to play poorly in front on your own fans."
Meanwhile, following three wins in their last four games, Newcastle now drop to 15th in the table and boss Alan Pardew rued their
wastefulness in front of goal.
"We are very frustrated that we didn't get at least a draw," he said. "We sat off them too much first half and that's when they can really
hurt you. They are a good team, with some great individual players.
"But wee missed two or three big chances and you can't do that at this level. I thought we did well today and we are disappointed that we
didn't get anything from the game."
