OFF THE LINE! Ritchie's cross is poor and headed away by Bartley. Swansea then nick the ball and push on the counter, with Darlow charging off his line to beat Ayew to the ball. It falls to Bony and he rounds the keeper but there's two Newcastle defenders covering and Yedlin hoofs the ball away.
90' +2
Potentially the final chance for Newcastle as Narsingh fouls Atsu on the left-side, presenting Ritchie with the opportunity to deliver a cross.
90' +1
FOUR minutes left to play as the fourth official raises his board.
90'
J. Ayew gets yellow.
A late corner from Newcastle is collected by Fabianski, who then tries to create a counter-attack but there's no such luck.
Swansea pick up their third booking, with Narsingh penalised for a clear foul.
88'
Ritchie doesn't try for goal with his left foot, instead looping a ball into the area that bobbles behind without creating any sort of threat. Unfortunately, that pretty much sums up Newcastle's attacking display in the second half.
87'
Carroll fouls Ritchie, handing Newcastle a free-kick in a dangerous position.
85'
L. Narsingh enters the game and replaces N. Dyer.
Swansea's second change of the afternoon sees the introduction of Narsingh, who takes the place of Nathan Dyer.
84'
A quick break as Olsson receives some treatment after being hit by Ritchie's flailing arm but there was no intent, hence the decision from the referee not to take further action.
82'
A. Mawson gets yellow.
Mikel Merino enters the game and replaces J. Shelvey.
Second change of the game for Newcastle as Shelvey is taken off, replaced by Mikel Merino. The former Borussia Dortmund man has struggled to rekindle his early form following an mid-season injury and wil hope to provide inspiration here.
Mawson receives the games second yellow card meanwhile, handing Newcastle a free-kick just inside the Swansea half.
80'
Bartley has been a threat throughout the match from set-pieces and he creates havoc in the Newcastle defence once more from a free-kick, heading back towards goal. Newcatle scramble the ball behind for a corner, which leads to a defensive free-kick for the hosts after some pushing in the area.
Minute
Description
78'
Having said that, Swansea continue to look threatening. They have a decent opening but Bony kicks the air instead of the ball, which sums up the struggles he's had since returning to the Welsh side.
76'
Not too much happening in either attacking third since Newcastle's equaliser and the game is balanced on a knife-edge. It would take a brave man to predict a winner- and I'm not your guy for that.
74'
All set for a crucial end to this match. Both teams desperately need the points, particularly Swansea considering their position at the foot of the table. I'm not sure a draw will be seen as a good enough, particularly as they had the lead.
73'
Big chance! A dangerous cross into the middle sees Atsu rise above the defender but his header isn't clean. It does fall towards Perez but Fabianski is quick off his line to prevent the Spaniard from taking advantage, with the ball bobbling behind for a goal kick.
71'
W. Bony enters the game and replaces O. McBurnie.
Attacking change for Swansea, as young striker McBurnie is replaced by Ivorian forward Wilfried Bony.
68'
Joselu has scored a goal for Newcastle United!
GOAL! Newcastle equalise from nowhere! It's their first chance since the break and it's Joselu's first touch since coming on. A long ball is pumped forward from Shelvey to Perez, who has a shot who deflected into the path of the Spaniard. He takes one touch and then, from a tight angle, somehow finds the far corner.
67'
A real test of Newcastle's resolve now and they need to get going in this second half. I can't recall any moment of note in attack for the Magpies since the break, which is a huge concern.
65'
C. Roberts enters the game and replaces M. van der Hoorn.
Meanwhile, it's a problem for Swansea as Van der Hoorn is forced off with injury. He's replaced by Roberts.
64'
Joselu enters the game and replaces D. Gayle.
Newcastle do make a change and it's long overdue. Gayle has been snatching at his chances today and he's hauled off, replaced by Joselu.
62'
I called it earlier on. Newcastle have had the better opportunities but haven't put them away. All it took was one decent opportunity for Swansea to capitalise- and it could be a crucial moment in the Premier League's relegation battle.
60'
J. Ayew has scored a goal for Swansea City!
GOAL! Swansea take the lead and it's beem coming in this second half! A dangerous cross in from the right-hand side found Ayew in space and he heads at goal. His first attempt is saved well by Darlow but the rebound falls kindly to him, as he tucks home the game's opening goal.
59'
Benitez surely has to make a change soon, his side are off the pace. However, it appears that it's Swansea who will make the game's first alteration.
57'
No idea what Carvalhal said to his Swansea side at the break but it's certainly led to an improvement in the visitors play. However, Darlow is yet to be truly tested in the Newcastle net.
55'
I can't imagine it will be too much longer until we see substitutions being made, as both sides seem in need of new ideas.
53'
The flow of the game is entirely different to what we saw during the first half, as it's now Swansea dominating possession and controlling the pace of the match. Newcastle have taking on the opposing role, struggling to get going and only looking dangerous on the counter.
51'
Don't want to upset any Newcastle fans but this game has the sort of feeling that the hosts will continue to miss key chances, with Swansea snatching a win late on.
49'
CHANCE! Another big chance for Gayle, another chance that goes begging. Van der Hoorn sloppily gives the ball away and Perez feeds through his fellow attacker, who tries to cut a low shot across the face of goal and into the far corner but Fabianski's goal isn't under threat as it rolls wide.
47'
Swansea already keeping the ball better in the opening minutes of the second period than they did in the entirety of the first half.
45' +1
Corner for Swansea right at the end of the first-half and they'll look to create a threat, just like the head with the penalty appeal. Unfortunately it's easily dealt with and that should bring the end of things.
45'
KICK-OFF! Back underway on Tyneside, where Newcastle now kick to the right.
44'
The game has certainly livened up after a lull in affairs during the middle period of this half and it's now a very tight game. Newcastle will be really unhappy that they didn't take advantage with the early chances they had.
42'
With every replay, the penalty shout is even more contentious and it's likely to be added to the appeals of the many who are calling for VAR to be in the Premier League.
40'
A crucial period in the match here and two really big decisions. The offside call is correct but Swansea's will feel aggrieved not to have won a penalty, as there was clear movement from Diame's arm towards the ball- and he may have been sent off for it too.
38'
Newcastle take the lead- but it's disallowed! Shelvey's corner is flicked on to where Gayle is lurking at the far post and it's an easy finish. However, the offside flag brings a premature and disappointing end to his celebrations.
37'
Huge appeals for handball! Swansea create havoc with their delivery but the referee isn't interested in the protests. Newcastle hit on the counter but waste a decent position.
35'
Swansea have their first corner after a decent period of play, which sees Ki Sung-Yeung have a shot from outside the area blocked. Set-pieces will be crucial for the visitors today with the way they're playing.
33'
The only thing in danger from Shelvey's free-kick there was the seagulls flying above the stadium. A real waste.
32'
Atsu charges forward with intent and wins a free-kick in a decent area after being hounded by the Swansea defenders. It's within shooting range and is only just outside the penalty box.
30'
The good news for Newcastle is that Swansea are also looking out of sorts in the attacking third. They've not really created anything, which is a real concern for Carvalhal's side.
28'
If it stays like this, Benitez will probably storm into Mike Ashley's office on Monday morning and show him the highlights. It's clear evidence of the lack of reliability that Newcastle have in the attacking third and it's no surprise they've scored just 20 goals in 22 matches so far.
26'
SAVE! The best chance of the game for Newcastle as Gayle knocks a ball over the top to an in-form Ayoze Perez, who forces a superb save from Fabianski. Perez never really looked comfortable there though!
25'
Swansea may need a rethink here as they're struggling to retain possession and haven't really put Newcastle's defence under too much pressure at all.
23'
CHANCE! Another opportunity for Newcastle to take the lead and it again comes down the right hand side, where Van der Hoorn is really struggling. Atsu beats the defender with ease, playing a low cross into the centre which Dummett flashes over the bar.
21'
Newcastle may regret not taking those early chances and they would have probably had the lead if they had a striker in their ranks who is better in the air than Gayle is.
19'
After a slow start, Swansea have found their rhythm. Dyer is showing skilful play on the ball and McBurnie is becoming a presence in the final third. Ayew has also been involved but only to foul the defenders.
17'
It's settled into a more even affair here and Swansea have given Newcastle something to think about, showing the pace they possess on the counter-attack. The hosts remain the better side though and have created the chances to prove it- although Perez has just blown a decent chance by firing straight at Fabianski.
15'
Better from Swansea! Clucas switches the play and finds Olsson in plenty of space. It's whipped into the middle where McBurnie is lurking but the young Scotsman had a lot to do and fired an effort over the bar.
14'
This isn't a good watch for Swansea fans at all. Carvalhal has named a fairly attacking side here today but I can't recall either of Ayew or McBurnie touching the ball.
12'
CHANCE! Newcastle continue to bang on the door and Gayle has another chance with his head. It's a wasted chance after some superb work out wide from Perez, who clips a cross into the striker but he fails to hit the target.
10'
K. Bartley gets yellow.
Bartley picks up an early yellow card following a pull on Gayle, which prevented the striker from charging through after nicking the ball from the former Arsenal defender.
8'
Newcastle have got Swansea pegged into their own half here and their fine start has got the home faithful singing. Swansea under some serious pressure!
6'
Benitez will be delighted by his side's start, with Perez and Atsu in particular looking lively. The pair, along with the rest of Newcastle's attacking quota, may need to up their game amidst suggestions that Newcastle are in the market for a new forward this month.
4'
SAVE! Newcastle are showing fine play, particularly down the right side, and Fabianski is the first keeper to be forced into action. Dummett whips a dangerous cross into the middle where Gayle heads towards goal but it's a comfortable height for the Polish stopper.
2'
Strong start from Newcastle as Perez wins the hosts an early corner but Shelvey's delivery is headed away.
1'
KICK-OFF! We're underway at St. James' Park and it's Swansea who get us started, kicking to the right.
Good afternoon and welcome to our LIVE coverage of the Premier League clash between Newcastle United and Swansea City, which is crucial for both sides as they seek to boost their hopes of avoiding relegation.
Newcastle come into today's match on the back of a significant upturn in form, which has seen Rafael Benitez's side take seven points from the last 12 available. Prior to that, the Magpies had just one from the last 27 and were being sucked into the relegation mire. The Spaniard knows there is still work to do though and he's desperate to bolster his side in January.
Newcastle XI: Karl Darlow; DeAndre Yedlin, Jamaal Lascelles, Ciaran Clark, Paul Dummett; Jonjo Shelvey, Mohamed Diame; Christian Atsu, Ayoze Perez, Matt Ritchie; Dwight Gayle.
Swansea XI: Lukasz Fabianski; Mike van der Hoorn, Alfie Mawson, Kyle Bartley; Nathan Dyer, Sam Clucas, Ki Sung-Yeung, Tom Carroll, Martin Olssen; Jordan Ayew, Oliver McBurnie.
Newcastle subs: Rob Elliot, Joselu, Massadio Haidara, Javier Manquillo, Jacob Murphy, Isaac Hayden, Mikel Merino.
Newcastle make two changes to the side that beat Stoke City 1-0 two weeks ago, with Manquillo and Murphy dropping to the bench. Their spots are taken by Dummett and Gayle respectively. Ayoze Perez, who has scored three goals in two matches, plays in an attacking trio alongside Ritchie and Atsu that will look to provide support to striker Gayle.
Rooted to the bottom of the Premier League, Swansea City are four points from safety and a defeat today could leave them in real trouble. Carlos Carvalhal is looking to find form after a varied run of results since he took charge in South Wales, beating Watford at the end of the December before losing to Tottenham and being held to a goalless draw with Championship leaders Wolves in last weekend's FA Cup third round.
Swansea boss Carvalhal has also made changes to his side, with three players coming into the side that lost 2-0 to Tottenham. Bartley, Ki Sung-Yeung and McBurnie all come in, the latter with big shoes to fill due to the continued absence of Tammy Abraham. Fernandez drops to the bench, whilst Renato Sanches and Angel Rangel aren't in the squad.
Two notable things to mention regarding the Swansea City defence, the first of which is the return of Kyle Bartley- the skipper hasn't started in the Premier League since August. Mawson, meanwhile, continues to be chased by West Ham but the Swans are determined to retain his services.
Rafael Benitez would have been delighted with the start that his side made to the game but Newcastle continue to struggle to find consistency in the attacking third. They also started to slip away as the match progressed, which will be a concern to the experienced Spaniard, but they have found plenty of joy down the left side.
HALF-TIME! It's goalless at St. James' Park but it really shouldn't be. Dwight Gayle had two decent opportunities with his head to give Newcastle the lead, before Ayoze Perez forced a fine save from Lukasz Fabianski. At the other end, Swansea have struggled to create openings but did have a huge shout for a penalty turned away after Mohamed Diame blocked a shot with his arm.
Carlos Carvalhal may look to the bench fairly quickly to inject some attacking flair into his line-up, after a first period where the Swans struggled to find their rhythm. Oliver McBurnie has looked bright in stages but Jordan Ayew, his striking partner, has kicked defenders more than he's kicked the ball.
FULL-TIME! The points are shared at St. James' Park which, on reflection, is a fair result. Both goals came in the second half and Jordan Ayew gave Swansea a lead. It didn't last too long though and Joselu, off the bench and with his first touch of the game, soon equalised. Both teams had chances to win it but were guilty of being wasteful in the attacking third.
Newcastle's long wait for a Premier League win at home continues then, with Rafael Benitez's side last winning a top-flight match in the victory against Crystal Palace back in October. This will seem like a missed opportunity to continue their upturn in form from the festive season though and they sit three points above the relegation zone, with Stoke City, third-bottom, yet to play this weekend.
Swansea will also feel that they missed a key opportunity to hand their survival hopes a significant boost, particularly after they took the lead and controlled the majority of the second half. They're four points from safety, with Stoke and Bournemouth ahead of them yet to play, and have the difficult task of hosting Liverpool a week on Monday.
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