Steve Stone
Former Newcastle coach and England midfielder on BBC Radio 5 live

"You can sense there's a different atmosphere with the Swansea team, their two centre halves are trying to push right out. Newcastle will sit deep and try to hit on the break."

Americans Jason Levien and Steve Kaplan are currently in talks with Swansea about a possible takeover, and Levien is watching today from the St James’ Park directors’ box.

Levien and Kaplan are looking to buy around 60% of the Swansea shares, and the deal is expected to be completed by the end of the season.

The ball is delivered low into the area. Moussa Sissoko flicks it towards goals and scorer Jamaal Lascelles only just fails to get a decisive touch.

Close.

Image source, PA

Newcastle have a free-kick on the right after Andros Townsend is clipped by Federico Fernandez. This is a big chance...

The Swans on the attack.

Neil Taylor swings in the ball from the left. The ball bounces in front of Angel Rangel at the far post, but he heads wide.

Newcastle's heads are still in the changing room.

Swansea get us back under way. This is a huge second half for Newcastle, more huge than the first half, which was huge.

Huge.

The players are back out on the sun-drenched pitch. It's nippy though.

Former England Test spinner and huge Newcastle fan Graeme Swann conducts the half-time raffle out of one of those tombola-type contraptions, last seen in 1980s TV game shows.

Steve Stone
Former Newcastle coach and England midfielder on BBC Radio 5 live

"Newcastle have been the better team, got themselves into a nice shape and they deserve the lead. Benitez is trying to get their back four out a bit, and the second half will be a balancing act – they will sit a bit deeper as it goes on. The crowd will get edgy – it’s natural."

Listen to Guy commentate on this huge match on MOTD on BBC One at 22:25 BST

BBC Newcastle summariser John Anderson: "We didn't expect it to be a classic We thought it would be nervy and so it's proved. The important thing is we're in front. A second goal would settle everyone's nerves."

It's not been pretty but it's been a far better first half display by Newcastle than fans have witnessed in recent weeks. 

Swansea, safe on 40 points, appear to have come along for the ride.

Dion Dublin
Former Leicester and Aston Villa forward on Final Score

"Lascelles has got a run on Sigurdsson but he should just defend. Sigurdsson tries to hold him off but Lascelles is too strong. If Sigurdsson stays and defends it wouldn’t happen. It is lazy defending.

"This is a fantastic chance for Newcastle. If they seriously think they can get out of this, this will give them a little bit of momentum."

Image source, Getty Images

Looks a tad bit rosier, eh Newcastle fans?

Steve Stone
Former Newcastle coach and England midfielder on BBC Radio 5 live

"It is a quality ball into the box, and Lascelles attacked it like all good centre-halves should do where they boots are flying. He's punched it into the net with his head to make sure it's gone in."

Image source, Reuters

Thankfully for Newcastle, the resulting cross by Jefferson Montero is smashed out of play.

I bet that thrilled the 900 fans who travelled from south Wales.

At the other end, Andros Townsend does his trick of cutting inside and firing a shot. This time he strikes tame effort that Lukasz Fabianski dives low to collect.

Jittery.

Swans forward Alberto Paloschi surges down the right of area and fires a cross into the six-yard box. It's cleared but the ball deflects back towards keeper Karl Darlow who collects to the left of his goal.

Swansea now have a corner...

Newcastle's best effort of the match.

Striker Papiss Cisse plays a lovely deft flicked pass with his head into the path of Jack Colback who runs on to ball and fires a low shot that is easily saved by Lukasz Fabianski.

Image source, Reuters

Steve Stone
Former Newcastle coach and England midfielder on BBC Radio 5 live

"Benitez has got his team set up perfect for getting the second balls, stopping Swansea from gaining too much possession. You sense Swansea are there for the taking, they got  a massive result against Chelsea last week but it is natural when teams have 40 points to come off it a bit."