Newcastle United 3-0 Swansea City

Moussa Sissoko celebrates scoring Newcastle's second goal - the Frenchman's first of the season

Newcastle claimed a first win under Rafael Benitez as they overcame Swansea to bolster their chances of Premier League survival.

Jamaal Lascelles headed in from a corner to put Newcastle in front towards the end of an edgy first half.

Ashley Williams and Jefferson Montero missed chances as the Swans dominated after the break, but Moussa Sissoko and Andros Townsend struck late goals.

Newcastle are now three points adrift of safety, while Swansea drop to 15th.

Relegation fight 'going down to the wire'

Relive the action from St James' Park

Hope for Newcastle

Newcastle had found themselves in the unfamiliar position of cheering a Sunderland victory earlier in the day.

Their rivals' win at fellow strugglers Norwich kept Newcastle within six points of safety going into this encounter, and Benitez's side seemed buoyed by that result.

They started at a quick tempo and forced Swansea's Lukasz Fabianski into early saves from Vurnon Anita and Andros Townsend.

The first half failed to ignite, however, as the tension of Newcastle's predicament made for an uneasy atmosphere at St James' Park.

That was until Townsend's corner found Lascelles, who shrugged off Gylfi Sigurdsson's tug to head in via a deflection from Fabianski.

There were some anxious moments for the home crowd as Swansea pressed in the second half, but Sissoko's low strike from another Townsend corner settled those nerves.

Townsend himself added a final gloss to the scoreline - and took Newcastle's goal difference to within one of Norwich's - with a calm, low finish as time ticked down.

Swans lacking purpose

Having already amassed 40 points and all but secured a sixth successive season in the Premier League, Swansea had little to play for.

Francesco Guidolin's men had won on their last three visits to St James' Park but lacked purpose and intensity on this occasion.

Ecuadorian winger Montero, impressive in the preceding win over Chelsea, was erratic, while other usually influential players such as Sigurdsson struggled to impose themselves on the game.

Lascelles' goal also exposed a vulnerability at set-pieces, which Guidolin had previously highlighted as a concern.

Swansea improved in the second half but squandered their chances to equalise, with Williams powering a half-volley wide and Montero missing from close range.

What happens next?

Newcastle have now narrowed the gap between themselves and Norwich in 17th place to three points.

Benitez's side have a game in hand, albeit against Champions League semi-finalists Manchester City, at home on Tuesday.

Encouragingly for Newcastle, three of their remaining five matches are at St James' Park with the penultimate fixture against already relegated Aston Villa.

Man of the match - Jamaal Lascelles

The centre-back (left) contributed to a dogged defensive display and scored Newcastle's crucial opening goal

What they said

Newcastle manager Rafael Benitez: "I have to say congratulations to the players. They showed passion and commitment. Thank you to the fans. If we stick together then it's easier for us to approach the game and gives us the chance to win.

"The players that started were really good. And the other players who came on helped the team. Today we saw what we expect from this team. We have to show the same in the other games."

Swansea head coach Francesco Guidolin: "I think Newcastle deserved to win. In the second half we had situations and possibilities to score. It's a bad day for us. We have to look ahead to the next match away to Leicester.

"I know my job and I know football. We know that Newcastle play with fight, but we were ready for this game. These things can happen. After many important results this was not a good day."

Stats you need to know

• Andros Townsend has already assisted as many Premier League goals for Newcastle (two) in eight appearances as he did for Tottenham in 50 appearances.

• Swansea lost an away Premier League game by three goals for the first time since December 2014, when they were beaten 4-1 at Liverpool.

• Newcastle kept only their second clean sheet in their last 18 Premier League games.

• The Swans failed to score in an away Premier League game for the first time in 2016.

• Rafael Benitez became the second Premier League manager to win on his birthday on two occasions, along with Arsene Wenger.