Crystal Palace 0-2 Swansea City: Too easy for Swans

Nathan Dyer scores Swansea's second goal. Picture: Getty

Scorers: Swansea City - Michu (2), Dyer (48)

Fresh from demolishing Valencia at the Mestalla, Michael Laudrup urged his players to re-focus on their return to domestic action at Selhurst Park and they did that in some style, outclassing the Eagles from the outset in a 2-0 win that did not reflect their dominance.

It took just 80 seconds for Michu to set Swansea on course for a fourth consecutive win against Palace, rifling home right in front of Ian Holloway – the Palace boss having taken up a position in an executive box behind the goal as he completed a two-match touchline ban.

He would have been forgiven for watching the first half through his fingers, with Chico Flores rattling the post moments later, before Michu and Angel Rangel came close to netting.

Dean Moxey was also fortunate not to give away a penalty in strikingly similar fashion to the one he conceded on the opening day against Tottenham – the decision that led to the Holloway comments which led to his ban in the first place. The Welsh outfit would not be denied for long, though. With no defenders on the Palace bench and Damien Delaney forced off injured, it was all too simple for Nathan Dyer to rifle home from debutant Alvaro Vazquez’s pull-back in the 48th minute.

The visitors made five alterations following their trip to Spain, with Wayne Routledge coming in against the club with whom he started his career.

In just 80 seconds, ending a move he started, Michu collected a pass from Jonjo Shelvey, via a slight deflection off Routledge, and lashed home through Julian Speroni’s legs.

Swansea should have had a second inside four minutes after Chico capitalised on more sloppiness at the back, only to see an effort come back off the post. As well as struggling to cope with Swansea’s attacking threat, the Eagles were failing to produce any chances of their own.

It was a miserable opening 45 minutes for the hosts, which got even worse when Delaney went down injured.

The Irish centre-back was unable to return for the second half and had to be replaced by midfielder Jose Campana as Palace had no defenders on the bench.

It meant captain Mile Jedinak had to play as makeshift centre-back and this reaped immediate rewards for Swansea. After Speroni saved Vazquez’s initial effort, the debutant pulled back for Dyer and the diminutive winger rifled home three minutes after the restart.

Vazquez wasted a chance to extend their lead further as the game petered out, Swansea securing a win with worrying ease for the south Londoners.