Newcastle 2-3 Swansea
by Roger Domeneghetti
at St James’ Park

Newcastle boss John Carver was embroiled in row with home fans on Saturday after the Magpies slipped to their seventh successive defeat. There were claims on social media that Carver had sworn at fans who had been critical of him, something he denies.

“When I took the job, I knew that outside probably the top six clubs this is the most pressurised job in the country,” he said.

“But sometimes it’s not easy to stand in the technical area and be abused the way I was during the whole of the second half — I’m not accepting that.

“I said: ‘Come and see me afterwards and I’ll explain to you what I’m doing’ but he thought I was threatening him, which I wasn’t. I’d love them to come to the training ground then they might understand what I’m going through and what I’m trying to do.”

The defeat means that the club is now on its worst run of form for 38 years and leaves Newcastle just five points off the bottom three, but Carver refused to consider the possibility of relegation. “I’m not even thinking about that, so let’s get that out of our minds.”

Newcastle started brightly and took the lead in the 20th minute after Ayoze Perez tapped home from close range.

But on the stroke of half-time Nelson Olivera headed home from Gylfi Sigurdsson’s corner.

After the break the visitors stepped up a gear and Sigurdsson and Jack Cork grabbed the second and third respectively.

There was time for Siem de Jong to score a second for the home side but Swansea were able to hold on and notch up 50 points, their highest points tally in the Premier League.

“It’s very satisfying,” said Gary Monk, the victorious manager, “I think we should be extremely proud of the squad to achieve that.”