Swansea’s intensity too much for Palace to handle

Michael Laudrup’s side wrap up impressive week with victory

Crystal Palace 0 Swansea 2: Swansea showed no sign of a Europa League hangover in south London as they outplayed a Crystal Palace side which looked very much like relegation material on this display.

Fresh from demolishing Valencia at the Mestalla, Michael Laudrup urged his players to re-focus on their return to domestic action at Selhurst Park.

They did just that, and in some style, outclassing the Eagles from the outset in a 2-0 win that in no way reflected 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.

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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.

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