Carver insists Toon will survive but Swans turn up heat by inflicting seventh defeat in row
MIKE ASHLEY must now not only fear his next appointment as Newcastle head coach will be starting out life in the Championship, but also that his Premier League cash cow is set for the slaughter.
After slumping to seven straight top flight defeats for the first time since 1977-78, United are just five points from the bottom three, with trips to relegation rivals Leicester and QPR on the horizon.
The last time the Magpies suffered such a ruinous run they were indeed demoted to the second tier and they can only hope their current points tally of 35 is enough to survive this season.
Former Newcastle captain Michael Owen was scathing in his assessment of his old club this week — predicting they would lose all five remaining matches — and few would argue with that forecast after another defeat to the backdrop of supporter unrest.
Around 40,000 fans rose as one to chant: ‘We want Ashley out,’ as they staged a 34th-minute protest in recognition of the unspent £34million which is sitting in the club’s bank account.
How Ashley must be wishing he had invested a few quid back in January. Instead, he waited until the end of the window to confirm caretaker John Carver as boss until the end of the season and, in 11 matches since, the billionaire has seen his sorry side collect just five points.
Carver still believes his team have enough to beat the drop, although such confidence is hardly supported by performances on the pitch.
‘They are not ready to quit or throw in the towel,’ he said. ‘That applies to me and the rest of the staff as well.
‘I saw enough in the first half to say we have enough to stay up. I can’t be too critical of anyone in that dressing room today, whereas I have been in the past.’
Carver, though, should have been critical — of the manner in which his players surrendered a lead and offered little in response once they trailed.
But for Swansea, their victory marked a bestever Premier League points tally of 50. Manager Garry Monk said: ‘I’m proud of the players. Everyone plays their part here. We have played some excellent football this season and we showed that again today. But I want more points and we’ll be pushing for that.’
Newcastle’s opener arrived on 20 minutes when Emmanuel Riviere was sprung clear down the left, showing a previously unknown turn of foot to burn by Angel Rangel before delivering low into the six-yard area. There confusion reigned as goalkeeper Lukasz
Fabianski and Jordi Amat got in a muddle and that allowed Ayoze Perez to steal in and toe home.
But the move of the match — and perhaps the season from a Newcastle perspective — came a minute shy of the break.
Remy Cabella’s cushioned chest was hooked into space behind Rangel by Riviere and Vurnon Anita gave chase. The former Holland international composed himself before picking out Riviere — who had motored to the far post — and his header was shovelled around the post by a panicked Fabianski.
That save was to prove crucial for the Swans and within 60 seconds they were level.
Gylfi Sigurdsson delivered an outswinging corner and Nelson Oliveira bustled between bodies to bury his header.
Five minutes into the second half they were in front. Jefferson Montero broke down the left and squared for Sigurdsson, who took one touch to escape Fabricio Coloccini and another to roll in via the base of the post.
And two became three when Oliveira crossed and Jack Cork turned in from close range on 71 minutes.
Cue a fire drill-like exit from the home crowd.
Those who did remain witnessed Siem de Jong’s first goal in black and white as he applied a cool finish to Jack Colback’s centre two minutes from time.
But it was too little, too late.
Ashley can only hope the same is not being said come May 24.