It was a five star display from the Swans as the Michael Laudrup era opened with a comprehensive hammering of QPR at Loftus Road
It was a five star display from the Swans as the Michael Laudrup era opened with a comprehensive hammering of QPR at Loftus Road
REPORT - Wales Online
MICHAEL LAUDRUP'S reign as Swansea City manager got off to a dream start as his side hammered five past big-spending Queens Park Rangers.
Two goals each from Nathan Dyer and £2m signing Miguel Michu and a late finish from substitute Scott Sinclair gave Swansea their first-ever win at Loftus Road in 20 attempts.
Swansea hadn't won on the first day of the season since 2005 but Laudrup's new-look side produced a stunning performance on the hottest day of the year in West London.
Laudrup had left want-away winger Sinclair out of his starting XI following the 23-year-old's decision not to sign a new contract but supporters have a new hero to worship in new signing Michu.
He gave Swansea the lead on eight minutes, lashing the ball past former England international Rob Green from the edge of the area.
It was the first goal scored in the 2012/13 Premier League season for a player who hit 15 for Rayo Vallecano in La Liga last season.
QPR responded well and almost drew level three minutes later but Swansea goalkeeper Michel Vorm produced a brilliant save to deny Jamie Mackie from close range.
New Rangers signings Junior Hoilett and Fabio de Silva went close for the home side and Vorm again saved the Swans on 30 minutes, this time from Adel Taarabt.
Swansea's £2m summer capture Chico Flores hit the crossbar with a header from a Jonathan de Guzman corner five minutes before half time.
Then on the stroke of the half-time whistle Michu hit the bar with a left foot shot when another de Guzman corner fell to him six yards out.
QPR started brightly after the break but Swansea doubled their advantage on 53 minutes.
Wayne Routledge showed some great pace on the counter attack before finding Michu inside the QPR box and the Spaniard placed his first-time shot into the top corner.
With Rangers pushing forward Swansea took advantage and grabbed a third on 63 minutes when Nathan Dyer latched on to Routledge's through ball to calmly slot past Green.
Dyer then sent the away support into raptures with 20 minutes remaining, bringing down a superb ball from substitute Kemy Agustien and finishing past Green.
Mark Hughes' side were all over the place at the back and Sinclair, booed by the away support when he came on, grabbed the fifth and final goal with a brilliant left foot finish past Green.
Swansea: Vorm: Rangel, Chico, Williams, Taylor; Britton, De Guzman (Agustien 70), Michu (Gower 84); Dyer (Sinclair 77), Graham, Routledge.
Subs not used: Tremmel, Tate, Richards, Gower, Agustien, Sinclair, Moore
QPR: Green; Fabio, Hill (Wright-Phillips 64), Ferdinand, Onuoha; Hoilett, Park, Diakite, Mackie; Taarabt; Cisse (Johnson 77).
Subs not used: Murphy, Derry, Johnson, Nelsen, K Dyer, Zamora.
Referee: Lee Probert (Wiltshire)