SKIPPER LASCELLES GIVES RAFA RELIEF

JAMAAL LASCELLES (pix) provided a welcome tonic for ailing Newcastle United manager Rafael Benitez as his late goal secured a 1-0 win at Swansea City yesterday. Benitez was forced to miss his side’s trip to south Wales while he recovered from an infection. But his absence didn’t affect Newcastle’s players and captain Lascelles boosted the former Liverpool manager’s spirits with his headed winner in the closing stages at the Liberty Stadium. Newcastle assistant manager Francisco de Miguel Moreno said: “Rafa wanted to come and wanted to do everything he could to attend but the weather conditions were not the best. He has been active in the game and kept in touch with us t h r oughout the game. After the game, Rafa rang us and congratulated all the team because they did a fantastic job. He said we are now under way.”