Laudrup lauds soaring Swans

Crystal Palace 0 Swansea City 2

Despite less than 72 hours earlier demolishing Valencia at the Mestalla, the Welsh side showed no sign of a Europa League hangover as they eased to a 2-0 win at Selhurst Park on yesterday.

Palace were left chasing shadows from the outset, with Michu’s strike after 80 seconds followed by a Nathan Dyer effort moments into the second half.

It could — and should — have been a much larger margin of victory for Swansea, with that the only frustration for manager Laudrup after the match.

However, following Monday’s hard-fought draw with Liverpool and the win in Spain, the Dane’s overriding emotion was pride after winning at Selhurst Park.

“It has been a fantastic week,” Laudrup said. “Before the start, I thought this particularly would be the most difficult game because it was on the back of Liverpool and Valencia.

“I am really pleased with what the players did today.”

Crystal Palace Ian Holloway manager shouldered the lion’s share of the blame after being forced to watch from the stands due to a touchline ban.

“I am absolutely gutted,” he said. “If you had seen the work we did, what we talked about and how sharp we were, I was excited then it all faded away in about one minute 30 seconds, didn’t it?

“The changes I chose or had to make with the new lads coming in and it looked like they were strangers.

“It was my fault not being on the line with them. They have to feel the manager is with them, so please blame me.”

CRYSTAL PALACE: Speroni, Mariappa, Gabbidon, Delaney (Campana 46), Moxey, Guedioura, Jedinak, Bannan (Thomas 67), Puncheon, Chamakh, Jerome (Gayle 67).

SWANSEA: Vorm, Rangel, Chico, Williams, Ben Davies, Canas (Britton 78), Shelvey, Dyer (Pozuelo 71), Michu, Routledge, Vazquez (de Guzman 61).

Referee: Kevin Friend.