Newcastle United boss Chris Hughton had praise for Swansea, after his side ran out 3-0 winners at St James's Park

Hughton saw his Toon side win their fifth successive game in emphatic fashion thanks to a Marlon Harewood brace and a Peter Lovenkrands header before half-time.

The Swans improved after the break and could have reduced the deficit, but came away goalless and pointless from the North East. 

"I asked for a high-tempo start and after half an hour I was delighted - I couldn't have asked for any more," he said.

"To get three goals in that period was tremendous and it has won us the game."It would have been nice to add a couple more, of course, but take nothing away from Swansea; they're a side in form and we were never going to get it all our own way.

"You will see numerous games where a team has taken a lead and after half-time the result stays the same.

"But it was certainly an excellent first half and I am delighted with the result."

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