CRACKS APPEAR IN SWANS’ HARMONY

A FIRST Premier League win for manager Claude Puel, a Charlie Austin goal, a marriage proposal; the afternoon could not have got much better for two Southampton fans watching their team play Swansea. What an unforgettable day for the pair. A forgettable one for the neutrals, however; a mediocre game, salvaged only by Austin’s introduction from the bench in the second half to score his third goal and earn Southampton a second win in three days. By half-time, Southampton were fortunate one supporter chose the break to propose to their other half. He said yes. The Swansea fans chanted: ‘You don’t know what you’re doing.’ It provided light relief from a first half of very little entertainment. At Swansea, cracks are appearing in the relationship between manager Francesco Guidolin and his players. Neil Taylor was visibly frustrated at being substituted by the Italian in their last match against Chelsea. He was not even on the bench. Ki Sungyueng was hooked on 66 minutes here, ignored his manager as he walked off and shrugged his shoulders. ‘This is not the attitude, because it is not a good attitude,’ said Guidolin afterwards. ‘I have to speak with him because I respect all my players and the relationship is important.’ Guidolin admitted he is ‘worried’ about their upcoming fixtures. Swansea have Manchester City in the League Cup and Premier League, then Liverpool and Arsenal in their next four games and Guidolin, who only took over in January, could be on his way to a quick divorce from the club. It might even qualify for an annulment. Southampton are enjoying a delayed honeymoon period with Puel. Swansea feel like they never had one with Guidolin.