Good afternoon! Welcome to Sports Mole's live text coverage of today's Premier League clash between Southampton and Swansea City at St Mary's Stadium. The Saints can move back up to third if they avoid defeat, while the Swans can keep their slim hopes of European qualification alive with a positive result. Team news should be through shortly.

SOUTHAMPTON: Forster; Clyne, Yoshida, Fonte, Bertrand; S Davis, Ward-Prowse, Reed, Elia; Tadic; Pelle

SOUTHAMPTON SUBS: K Davis, Gardos, Mane, Targett, Seager, Gape

After seeing his side dumped out of the FA Cup by Crystal Palace last weekend, Southampton manager Ronald Koeman has made two changes to his starting XI this afternoon. Maya Yoshida returns following his participation in the Asian Cup, while youngster Harrison Reed also comes in. Florin Gardos and Sadio Mane are among the substitutes.

SWANSEA: Fabianski; Naughton, Fernandez, Williams, Taylor; Fulton, Carroll, Shelvey, Dyer, Emnes; Gomis

SWANSEA SUBS: Tremmel, Rangel, Amat, Barrow, Tiendalli, Oliveira, Grimes

Swansea were also knocked out of the FA Cup last weekend (by Blackburn Rovers) and Garry Monk has gone one better than Koeman by making six changes to his side. Recent signing Kyle Naughton is handed his first start for the club, while Federico Fernandez, Ashley Williams, Neil Taylor, Marvin Emnes and Jay Fulton are also given the nod. Swansea completed the signing of midfielder Jack Cork from today's opponents Southampton earlier this week, but he is ineligible for today's clash.

Southampton manager Ronald Koeman: "It will be difficult. They play good football out of a 4-3-3 system. They have had some changes, but they are still strong. It will be a good footballing game. Little by little we believe in a good final position in the table. It's a good opportunity today to keep going."

Swansea boss Garry Monk: "The onus is on every player to produce. We haven't reached the standards we have set in the last two games and we have to get back on track in terms of performance level this weekend.

"I want us to put on a performance we can be proud after two games that were unacceptable. It's about sticking together and working hard as we go to a tough place. That's been the big focus for us this week."

UPDATE! Today's early kickoff in the Premier League has just finished at the Emirates Stadium, where Arsenal have hammered Aston Villa 5-0. That result has lifted the Gunners level on points with Southampton, but the Saints can open up a bit of breathing space with a win over the course of the next 90 minutes.

While Swansea have been struggling for form in the Premier League in recent weeks, Southampton have been flying. Ronald Koeman's side are currently on a six-match unbeaten run, with five of those results being victories. Their most memorable since the turn of the New Year came at Old Trafford, where they beat Manchester United 1-0 thanks to Dusan Tadic's late goal.

As mentioned, Swansea have found it difficult to pick up points so far in 2015, but a victory today would see them leapfrog West Ham United into ninth position. The Premier League has been far from predictable this season, and Garry Monk will be aware that a couple of wins could suddenly see his side looking at the upper echelons of the table.

Got a spare couple of minutes before kickoff? Why not check out our video preview of today's game:

An interesting slant to this match is that both of these sides were beaten in the FA Cup during last weekend's crazy fourth round. While the competition is still held in high regard by players, managers and supporters alike, it would not be a surprise if Koeman and Monk were secretly unfazed by their teams' defeats. The Premier League still reigns supreme in terms of priorities - particularly for high-flying Southampton - and the two sides can no direct all their attention to climbing as high as they can up the table.

HEAD TO HEAD: Southampton have the superior record when it comes to past meetings between these teams. The Saints have won 60 of their matches against Swansea, while the Swans have come out on top 18 times. There have also been 15 draws since they first played each other nearly 100 years ago.

Southampton have also won their last three games against Swansea, including this season's reverse fixture at the Liberty Stadium. That match saw the Saints earn a narrow 1-0 victory thanks to a late goal from substitute Victor Wanyama. Interestingly, Swansea have never beaten Southampton in the Premier League. The last time they did win was back in 2008 when both sides were in the Championship. How times have changed!

If you're interested to know more about Arsenal's 5-0 thrashing of Aston Villa earlier this afternoon you can check out our match report here. Just make sure that you come back before kickoff.

Just a reminder for Swansea fans who might be confused why new signing Jack Cork is not in the starting lineup: the midfielder is ineligible to play against former club Southampton. It's likely that the 25-year-old will make his Swans debut next weekend when they welcome Sunderland to the Stadium of Light.

Not long to go now until kickoff. St Mary's is filling up nicely, and you can bet that the Southampton fans will be expecting their side to win this afternoon. The expectation levels that the club have increased dramatically this season, but they could find life tough if Swansea play to their potential.

The players are starting to emerge in the tunnel at St Mary's Stadium as we edge closer towards kickoff. Jose Fonte will lead Southampton out today, while Ashley Williams skippers Swansea.

KICKOFF! The teams are out, the pre-match handshakes have been done, and it will be Southampton to get us underway. Here we go!

It's been a good start from Southampton, who are doing most of the pressing during these early stages. The Saints have already seen a bit of the ball in and around the Swansea penalty box, though they've yet to trouble their opponents.

SAVE! What a stop from Fabianski to deny Southampton the opening goal of the game. The hosts break down the left with Clyne who puts a low cross into Davis. The midfielder hits the ball first time towards goal, but Fabianski gets down to make a save with his feet. The hosts are dominating here.

Swansea have hardly been out of their own half so far. They're being forced right back by Southampton, who are using the full width of the pitch to get at the visitors. Ronald Koeman will be very pleased with how his side are dictating the pace of this game early on.

The home side's passing and movement is exemplary at the moment. It's a real team effort going forward, with pretty much everyone wanting to get on the ball to see what they can do. A neat move involving Elia and Bertrand sees the latter float an inviting cross into the heart of the Swansea box, but Fabianski comes off his line to punch the ball away.

CHANCE! Swansea, completely against the run of play, almost take the lead through Gomis. The Frenchman receives the ball on the edge of the box before he hits a powerful drive that goes inches over the crossbar.

SWANSEA SUB: Bad news for the visitors as they're forced into an early change. Emnes is the man to make way with what looks like a leg problem. Modou Barrow is on in his place.

Something of a half-chance for the hosts as Reed takes aim from 20 yards. However, the youngster fails to make a clean connection with the ball and his shot flies harmlessly wide. Southampton are still on top here, taking the game to Swansea. The one concern for the home side might be that they're not turning their superiority into clear-cut chances.

One player who has been lively so far for Southampton is Elia. The winger has shown plenty of energy in the final third. When he's not running at the Swansea defence with the ball he is chasing down opposition defenders. It's that kind of intensity that is making life difficult for the visitors.

One player who has been lively so far for Southampton is Elia. The winger has shown plenty of energy in the final third. When he's not running at the Swansea defence with the ball he is chasing down opposition defenders. It's that kind of intensity that is making life difficult for the visitors.

CHANCE! Some confusion in the Swansea box allows Tadic to get on the ball. The midfielder is forced wide, narrowing the angle for him to shoot, so he crosses instead but the away side clears the danger. This is almost like a practice match for the home side in terms of how little they've been troubled by the Swans.

Disappointing from Tadic, who tries to thread the ball through to Elia. However, his pass is a poorly-weighted one that goes out of play for a goal kick. A bit more composure there and Elia would have had a decent chance to cross from a good position.

CHANCE! Tadic really should do better there. Elia whips a devilish cross in from the left, but Tadic somehow shanks the ball over the crossbar from close range. He had a defender breathing down his neck, though you would have expected him to bury that.

Southampton are still passing the ball about with the same confidence as earlier. It's often one-touch stuff, making it very difficult for Swansea to get anywhere near them. Meanwhile, the visitors are frequently putting all 11 men behind the ball in an attempt to frustrate the hosts.

This is better from Swansea. The visitors are starting to push forward a bit more, venturing into the opposition half. They're not exactly frightening Southampton, but it's an improvement on what we've seen so far. Garry Monk isn't looking too concerned down on the touchline, though you would think that he is a bit worried by how little of the ball his side has seen this afternoon.

A decent opening for the hosts now as Clyne makes another good run down the right. The full-back tries to pick out Reed in the box, only for the Swansea defence to hack the ball clear. Southampton then win themselves a corner following a some sloppy Swansea defending, though it comes to nothing.

While they've struggled to apply that finishing touch in the final third, the Southampton players are looking far from frustrated. The hosts win another corner that causes a bit of confusion in the Swansea box, but the ball is eventually whacked up the other end of the pitch by Williams.

YELLOW CARD! The first booking of the day goes to Swansea's Neil Taylor for pulling back the marauding Elia.

There will be ONE MINUTE of added time at the end of the half...

The first half comes to an end at St Mary's Stadium, where it goalless between Southampton and Swansea. The home side have been completely dominant so far, but a lack of finishing has seen the score remain level. Meanwhile, the Swans are just about hanging on in there.

The best chance of the opening half fell the way of Swansea when Ward-Prowse's low effort was saved by the legs of Fabianski. Swansea's only meaningful opportunity almost created a goal against the run of play, though Gomin's effort flashed narrowly over the crossbar.

Ronald Koeman is likely to be telling his players to keep things up. The Saints have played with a good tempo and intensity so far this afternoon, it's just that missing bit of incision in the final third that they need to work on. Garry Monk will be quietly pleased with how his side have kept their opponents out, though he may well want to see more from them going forward. That said, he'd probably take a point now if you offered it to him.

SECOND HALF UNDERWAY! The teams are out for the second half, and it will be Swansea to kick us off. No changes from either manager during the break.

Southampton have started the second half in much the same was as the played during the whole of the first, with some slick passing play on show. Elia is already doing his thing down the left side, while Ward-Prowse is also seeing plenty of the ball in central areas.

You have to wonder how long it will be before Southampton grow restless. There's still a long way to go in this match, but they are in need of something to unlock this Swansea defence. The visitors are likely to sit deeper and deeper as this game goes on, with the likes of Williams and Fernandez kicking and blocking everything that comes their way.

Swansea are suddenly posing a bit more of a threat going forward as Naughton has a cross snuffed out on the right. The visitors are enjoying more possession and are looking that bit more composed in the final third.

CHANCES! Forster is a lucky boy as his poor clearance goes straight to Taylor, but a number of Southampton shirts pounce on the Swansea man before he can do anything with the ball. Shelvey then has a crack from 25 yards, only to see his low shot come back off the post.

This little resurgence from Swansea means that we suddenly have a game on our hands. The visitors have been focused on defending for pretty much all of this match so far today, but now they are beginning to build some confidence in attack. However, could that open things up from a Southampton perspective? We all know how dangerous the hosts are on the break.

SOUTHAMPTON SUB: The hosts make their first change of the game as Sadio Mane replaces Reed, who hasn't made the greatest impact this afternoon.

Swansea win a free kick right on the edge of the box after Yoshida is booked for bundling over Barrow. Shelvey steps up to take it, but he slips at the vital moment and slams the ball into the wall. That was a real waste for the away side.

With just over 20 minutes remaining at St Mary's Stadium, Garry Monk is sure to be encouraged by how his side have grown into this game. The Swansea are now knocking the ball about with a fair bit of confidence, making Southampton do the chasing for once.

The ebb and flow of this match now sees Southampton in the ascendancy again. The Saints are spending more and more time in the Swansea half, yet that breakthrough still evades them. The home fans are starting to get a bit agitate as well, which does not bode well for Ronald Koeman's men. Still, they have just under 20 minutes to find a goal. Remember, they will go back up into third place if they avoid defeat.

Contrasting play from Tadic and Elia there as the former puts a cross straight into Fabianski's hands before the latter creates some space to put a more dangerous ball into the box. The crowd express their frustration when Tadic's cross comes to nothing by moaning audibly from the stands.

Things are getting a bit more desperate for Southampton now as they pump more balls into the Swansea box. The silky build-up play is being abandoned in favour of a more direct approach, though they're still not able to breach the Swansea defence. Mane takes aim from 25 yards and fires straight at Fabianski.

SWANSEA SUB: This game is really opening up now as we enter the final 10 minutes. Meanwhile, Swansea make another change as Naughton is replaced by Angel Rangel. Despite Southampton's dominance this afternoon, either of these teams could win this.

What a goal from Jonjo Shelvey to give Swansea the lead! The midfielder creates himself a little bit of space about 25 yards out before drilling a fierce strike past Forster and into the top corner. A stunning effort. Is it going to be the winner?

There is a real desperation about Southampton now. They've been the better side today, yet they find themselves staring at defeat. Bertrand tries to hook a cross in from the left before Barrow bustles him off the ball and clears the danger.

OFF THE LINE! Southampton are inches away from making it 1-1 as Mane is denied twice by Williams on the line. The defender heads away the first effort before hacking the second clear.

OFF THE LINE! Southampton are inches away from making it 1-1 as Mane is denied twice by Williams on the line. The defender heads away the first effort before hacking the second clear.

It gets worse for Southampton as they are reduced to 10 men with a red card for Ryan Bertrand. The defender can have no complaints with that after lunging in on Barrow. It was a very high, reckless tackle from the full-back.

SWANSEA SUB: Another swap for the visitors now as Barrow, who is carried off on a stretcher following that challenge by Bertrand, is replaced by Jordi Amat.

There will be at least FOUR MINUTES of added time...

Yet more evidence of how well Swansea have defended today as a corner from the right is headed away by Fernandez. The Swans have been superb at the back this afternoon. Southampton have found it so tough to create any meaningful chances.

There you have it. Swansea come away with a 1-0 win despite being dominated by Southampton for much of that match. It looked as if the visitors would be up against it during the early stages, but they held on before snatching the three points late on through a stunning goal from Shelvey.

That's all from our live text coverage of this afternoon's game, but you can keep up to date with all of the reaction from both teams right here on Sports Mole. Thanks for your company, we hope to see you again soon. Goodbye!