Vipotnik double sees Swans beat troubled Norwich

Swansea striker Zan Vipotnik was on target with two high-class goals

Zan Vipotnik took centre stage for Swansea City with a goal in each half as they increased the pressure on troubled visitors Norwich City.

The Slovenia striker had not found the net in six games for club and country and wasted no time in remedying that, finding the top corner of the Canaries' goal inside six minutes.

Norwich came back into the game when Jovo Makama equalised just before the break, forcing the ball over the goal line from Josh Sargent's cut-back.

In a second half of few clear-cut chances, it took a special strike from Vipotnik to seal victory as his fierce long-range shot earned Swansea their first win at home in five Championship games.

Norwich remain in the relegation zone having now failed to win any of their past seven games, losing the last five in succession, and ramping up the pressure on manager Liam Manning.

Swansea were without Malick Yalcouye after his red card in the loss to Queens Park Rangers in midweek, with Alan Sheehan making four starting changes that included the return of Wales forward Liam Cullen, Vipotnik and Ronald.

Under pressure Norwich boss Manning, in contrast, resisted the urge to make any changes, sticking with the same 11 that started Tuesday's defeat at Derby County – a loss that dropped the Canaries into the relegation places.

His options were further hampered by the season-ending ACL injury forward Ante Crnac suffered in that Rams loss, although Mathias Kvistgaarden was fit enough to be named on the bench.

Vipotnik struck early for Swansea, released into the right channel by Marko Stamenic before unleashing a scorching shot that flew past Vladan Kovacevic into the far top corner.

Eom Ji-Sung had a golden chance to double the lead soon after, but the left winger opted to cut inside rather than shooting and lost his footing in the process.

Swansea's next threat came from the opposite flank as Ronald cannoned a shot off the far post, the ball deflected just enough by the diving Kovacevic's fingertips.

Norwich had been largely toothless for the opening half-hour but Kenny McLean almost found an equaliser as Swansea backed off the visiting skipper, allowing him to unleash a left-foot shot that went just wide of Lawrence Vigouroux's left upright.

Swansea failed to heed that warning and Norwich crafted an equaliser just before half-time when Sargent was played through. The forward got to the ball just ahead of the onrushing Vigouroux and cut the ball back for Makama to bundle in from close range.

Manning made two changes at half-time, with Jacob Wright and Jeffrey Schlupp replacing Mirko Topic and Oscar Schwartau.

The change almost bore instant fruit as former Crystal Palace man Schlupp had an effort smartly tipped over the crossbar by Vigouroux.

Both sides upped their attacking efforts as the half wore on, until Vipotnik took centre stage with a fabulous solo goal to claim his second of the afternoon and eighth of the season for Swansea, with another for Slovenia.

The Slovenia striker received the ball halfway inside the Norwich half, but with little support – and with the visiting defence not closing him down – took a few strides forward before ripping a low right-foot shot just inside Kovacevic's left post.

With 11 minutes of normal time remaining Vipotnik left the field to a standing ovation, with Adam Idah replacing him in the Swansea attack to see the game out.

Swansea can now look forward to hosting Manchester City in a mouth-watering League Cup last 16 tie on Wednesday night, while Norwich must regroup for Saturday's game at home to Hull City as they try to escape the relegation zone.

Analysis: Returning Darling not the darling of Swans fans

Defender Harry Darling made 112 appearances for the Swans before joining Norwich

It was an uncomfortable afternoon for Norwich centre-back Harry Darling, making his first return to the Swansea.com Stadium since turning down the offer of a new Swans contract in the summer in favour of a three-year deal at Carrow Road.

He was barracked at length by sections of the home fans, especially after Vipotnik's early goal that saw regular cries of "Darling, Darling what's the score?".

The Swansea faithful had clearly come prepared for Darling's return, armed with a variety of chants that included impolitely comparing him unfavourably to former defensive partner Ben Cabango, and whistles and jeers whenever Darling touched the ball.

Darling's day – and that of his Norwich team-mates – took an upturn after Makama's first-half equaliser, while for the second period Darling was playing mostly in the half of the pitch furthest away from his early tormentors.

But after Vipotnik's winner for his former team, Darling left the pitch at the final whistle being asked again what the score was.

Yet the spotlight will now turn fully onto his manager after another defeat, with Manning now having to try and pick his players up once again – providing he is given the chance to continue to do so by the Norwich hierarchy.

What they said

Swansea head coach Alan Sheehan:

"Yes, an important win, I think every win is important. In terms of the first 20-30 minutes I thought we were real front-footed, really aggressive in what we wanted to do, scored a great goal and had numerous opportunities to put the game to bed and we didn't.

"Then they had a moment where we didn't protect the middle of the pitch well enough, Sargent on the shoulder - which he's been doing for a number of years - and then they get that goal at the end of it.

"Then at half-time they change formation, so we tried to counteract that and get pressure on the ball. But they bring a lot of players to the build-up really, so sometimes it's hard to get that pressure on the ball.

"But I don't really remember them having any opportunities in the second half or Vigs [goalkeeper Vigouroux] having a huge amount to do.

"But ultimately you get out what you put in and... today we went and we got the win and I think we really deserved that."

Norwich manager Liam Manning:

"Back to where we've been, it just hurts with the type of goals we give away and it's something we've been saying all season.

"It's cost us all season and it's something I'm working extremely hard to change, but it's proving quite a challenge in terms of just the softness and the manner of the goals.

"I spoke to the lads a lot that if you don't respect and take enough care of doing the simple things well enough, the little bits, then at this level you'll get punished - and that's what happened today.

"We have to change it and we're chasing that, it's a bit frustrating. I thought we responded well to going a goal behind, got back into the game.

"But forget formations, systems, structures, if you turn it over in such an easy manner and such an open way you're going to get punished... and we keep doing it."