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Newcastle news: Absent Rafa Benitez gets the perfect present with Swansea win
NEWCASTLE gave absent boss Rafael Benitez the perfect present as they returned from Swansea with a deserved three points thanks to Jamaal Lascelles’ second-half header.
Newcastle beat Swansea at Liberty Stadium
Benitez missed the game at the Liberty Stadium as he continues to struggle with an infection, but watched on as his team emerged victorious in South Wales.
“Rafa stayed at home – we didn’t want to risk anything with him or with his health,” said Newcastle assistant Paco De Miguel Moreno.
“But we did the job and have brought three points back home to Newcastle.
"After the game Rafa rang and he has congratulated everybody, especially the players.
Rafa stayed at home – we didn’t want to risk anything with him or with his health
His team created the better of the chances and Lascelles headed home Matt Ritchie’s corner for the winner.
Swansea were poor and star loan signing Renato Sanches had a quiet afternoon.
Their head coach Paul Clement was frustrated at what he saw. “I’m not quite sure why it turned out like that, I’m finding it very difficult to understand what I saw,” he said.