SWANSEA 1 Sigurdsson (61) NORWICH 0
SWANSEA provided the perfect pick- me- up for absent head coach Francesco Guidolin with a crucial win over relegation rivals Norwich.
With Guidolin still being treated for a chest infection at a London hospital, first- team coach Alan Curtis took charge once more to oversee a victory which moves them nine points clear of the drop zone.
Gylfi Sigurdsson settled the contest in the 61st minute after he was set up by substitute Leroy Fer.
Norwich’s position is looking increasingly perilous after an eighth defeat in nine games, and much of their good work in an even first half was undone when Swansea applied pressure after the interval.
Gianni Infantino was among the crowd after travelling from the International Football Association Board meeting in Cardiff and the new FIFA president was served up a contest high on energy, but low on quality.
Swansea’s morale had been raised by their shock midweek win at Arsenal, but it was not translated into greater confidence on the pitch as passes were misplaced.
The pattern was set by Alberto Paloschi’s mis- kick and, while Nathan Redmond tested Lukasz Fabianski at the other end from an acute angle, Norwich also found openings hard to come by.
Norwich did manage an on-target attempt in the final minute of the half when Steven Naismith laid the ball to Cameron Jerome and Fabianski pushed his 20-yard effort to safety.
Paloschi was taken off at halftime, with Curtis pushing Andre Ayew up front and Modou Barrow introduced on the right.
The move had the desired effect as Swansea started to enjoy greater possession and territory.
Barrow and Ayew both fired over the top before Swansea finally found the bit of quality they had been striving for.
Jack Cork freed Fer down the right and the Dutchman’s slide-rule pass allowed the unmarked Sigurdsson to pick out the bottom corner from 14 yards.
Wayne Routledge almost added another when he was thwarted at the near-post by Norwich goalkeeper John Ruddy.
Norwich almost claimed a point when Routledge’s poor clearance fell to Redmond, but the winger’s shot went a yard wide.