Steve McClaren knows all about addressing the media in double Dutch and insisted Garry Monk was talking it when he said Daryl Janmaat’s sending-off in the first half was of no significance at the Liberty Stadium. McClaren’s Newcastle played most of the match with 10 men after Janmaat’s dismissal for his second yellow card, which brought a premature conclusion to his torment by Jefferson Montero.
Monk believes Swansea’s dynamic winger from Ecuador is the most dangerous player in the Premier League in one-on-one situations and, after turning Branislav Ivanovic to stone on the opening day, Montero was at it again here, skewering defenders at will.
Monk and McClaren were left disputing most aspects of an entertaining match which left the two teams in much the same situation as they finished last season. Swansea again look capable of challenging for a place in the top six, which is their target. Newcastle, who play Manchester United next, can only dream of Europe.
Monk said his team “dominated from start to finish”, adding: “I don’t think the sending-off changed anything.” McClaren ridiculed that. “It’s a weird statement to make,” he said. “I’d rather play 11 against 10 any time – especially against opponents who play possession football the way Swansea do. I think the game was even up to then. To say the sending-off had no effect is naive.” Newcastle’s new manager also denied Monk’s assertion that in trying to subdue Montero their tactic was “basically to kick him”.
Both sides had a case. It was easier for Swansea to keep the ball and play their pleasing passing game against 10 men but Newcastle had hardly threatened with 11 and Lukasz Fabianski had to make only one save throughout.
Montero did get some rough treatment but he will have to get used to that as a potential matchwinner wherever he goes and, as Monk said, he received protection from the referee here.
The difference between the two teams was exemplified by the first goal, which was the Swans at their graceful best. There were 20 passes before the final one from the excellent Jonjo Shelvey, which enabled Bafétimbi Gomis to round Tim Krul in expert fashion before calmly shooting into the net. The finish did full justice to the stylish buildup – a goal for the aesthete to cherish.
The scoreline gave a better reflection of the balance of play when Montero’s cross from the left picked out André Ayew, whose near-post header gave him, like Gomis, a goal in each of his first two appearances.
McClaren, who has spent over £35m already, hopes to make “a couple more signings” before the transfer window closes. “Unfortunately I learned nothing today,” he said. “I’ve only been at the club a short time and you can’t judge our team after playing with 10 men for most of the game. I don’t think you can judge us until 10 or 12 games into the season.”
One new signing, Aleksandar Mitrovic from Anderlecht, was booked within three seconds on his debut the previous week and received another yellow card within two minutes of his introduction as substitute here. “The nature of the game is changing and he has to adapt,” McClaren said. “I like his physicality, but he has to keep his emotions under control. I have no complaints with the referee today. We just have to learn to be a bit smarter in our play.”
Monk was more upbeat, with the chance of building on a positive start when Swansea play Sunderland on Saturday. “If we can avoid injuries, I think we can have another good season,” he said. “The aim is to do even better but I think it will be more difficult this time. It will be more competitive because of the amount of money that has been spent on other squads – not just the big boys but the teams that are going to be around us.
“Look at Newcastle today, they’ve spent a lot more than us. But we’ll work hard, keep playing our football and see where it takes us.”
Man of the match Jefferson Montero (Swansea)
