Swansea City and Norwich City went into their Premier League encounter both in search of a vital three points as they aim to stave off relegation.
The hosts went about their task with real precision in the opening half, as they pressed with intensity and took the lead through a standout strike from Jonathan de Guzman in the 30th minute.
The Dutch midfielder grabbed himself a brace eight minutes later, when he got on the end of Wilfried Bony's creative flick to slot past John Ruddy and make it 2-0 before the break.
The Swans asserted themselves in the second half, with Wayne Routledge cementing three points as he tucked home following a counter-attacking move led by Jonjo Shelvey.
You can find out how all of the action developed by following our minute-by-minute updates below.
Good afternoon everyone and welcome to Sports Mole's live coverage as Swansea City host Norwich City in the Premier League.
Garry Monk's side are currently bottom of the form table, having only picked up three points from a possible 18 in recent games. The Swans are only two points clear of West Bromwich Albion and Crystal Palace, with both sides holding a game in hand over the Welsh club. Three points today could be vital, with a loss potentially sending them just one place above relegation come this evening.
Chris Hughton and Norwich City could potentially be struggling too. The Canaries are in need of at least a further five points to stay up this season, though they face the likes of Manchester United, Arsenal, Liverpool and Chelsea before the end of the campaign; meaning that their best chance of points comes against the likes of struggling Swansea. Today's result could have a huge impact on the outcome of both sides' seasons.
Norwich fans do have something to take solace in, however, given that their next trio of games sees them face today's opponents, as well as West Brom and Fulham, with five points more than achievable before a potentially tough run comes to the fore.
Some team news for you now...
Swansea City starting XI: Vorm; Rangel, Chico, Williams, Davies; Britton, Shelvey, de Guzman, Routledge; Bony, Michu
Norwich City starting XI: Ruddy; Martin, Bennett, Bassong, Olsson; Snodgrass, Howson, Tettey, Hoolahan; Elmander, van Wolfswinkel
Swansea City substitutes: Tremmel, Amat, Taylor, Canas, Hernandez, Dyer, Vazquez
Norwich City substitutes: Bunn, Whittaker, Johnson, Hooper, Gutierrez, Becchio, Redmond
Monk has decided to make just one change then as Swansea head into this vital clash, with Neil Taylor being replaced by Ben Davies.
The hosts have retained the services of both Michu and Wilfried Bony as they attempt to take the game to Norwich this afternoon, with midfield support coming from Leon Britton, Jonjo Shelvey, Jonathan de Guzman and Wayne Routledge.
Despite struggling in recent weeks, Swansea did manage to salvage a respectable 2-2 draw against Arsenal a few nights ago, which could prove to be a major confidence booster come this afternoon. Monk's men will be looking to use the strength of Bony and the guile of Michu to get in behind a defence that has conceded 48 goals this campaign: exactly the same number of goals let in by the Swans too.
The real problem for today's visitors, though, has been their inability to score, with the Canaries only bagging 26 this season. Lowly Crystal Palace are the only side below them in the scoring charts having notched just 16, with bottom-placed Fulham managing to net more goals than Hughton's side.
Today' visitors will be looking to both Ricky van Wolfswinkel and Johan Elmander. Both strikers have struggled in the league this season, but Hughton has kept his faith in the front pairing as they look to stave off relegation. Norwich's front two will be looking for support from the ever-creative Wes Hoolahan and Robert Snodgrass from midfield.
The reverse fixture saw the game end in a 1-1 draw when the sides met at Carrow Road in December last year, however I think today's match has the potential for more goals given the grave situation both sides could find themselves in should they fail to pick up a win this afternoon.
Norwich will be buoyed by their recent 2-0 victory over Sunderland, but that doesn't overshadow a rather tame form guide of late, which has seen them grab only two wins, concede three losses and notch one draw in their last six games.
Things look even bleaker for Swansea, who have also had European engagements at hand, with the Welsh side losing three and drawing three of their last six Premier League encounters, which have included a frustrating 1-1 draw at home to Palace and a home defeat at the hands of West Brom.
Perhaps today will present itself as a bit of a cup final fixture for the players, with everybody on the pitch knowing that three points could really help to extend their side's stay in the top flight of English football for another year at least.
Monk has made it all too evident that Swansea need to turn things around quickly, here's what he had to say ahead of today's game:
"We've never beaten them. For various reasons they have been the better team on the day. We need to make sure that we are the better team this time and bring the run to an end. I am not going to sit there and wait, we have to be aggressive."
Meanwhile Hughton has singled out Bony as Swansea's major threat, here's what he told the Daily Star recently: "Bony is in really good form, no doubt about that. You only have to look at all the goals he has scored. He took a little time to adjust to the Premier League but he is in full flow now and doing all he can to justify his large fee."
Remember that Norwich are yet to win back-to-back games in the Premier League this season. Could that be an omen for today's outcome given that they beat Sunderland last time out? Hughton will be hoping to put an end to that stat with a vital three points today.
Prediction: Well, I guess it's time for a predication then... I'm fancying Swansea to turn things around this afternoon. They've definitely got the quality to do so and given the form of Bony and Norwich's inability to score I can only see one outcome: Swansea to turn the Canaries over with a 3-1 win.
The two sets of players are now in the tunnel at the Liberty Stadium, with captains Williams and Bassong waiting to lead their sides out.
Here we are then as Swansea come out to The Clash's debut 1977 single White Riot, with the players shaking hands ahead of kick off.
Swansea kick us off in white, kicking from right to left at the Liberty as Jon Moss blows his whistle.
The hosts press the play high up the pitch in the first minute and de Guzman almost forces an error from the visitors' back-line, who do well to usher the ball back to Rudy under pressure.
Nice play from Swansea who knock the ball around in their own half before advancing in short bursts up the pitch. Michu does really well to retain the ball as he then finds Shelvey who sprays the ball wide. The move finally breaks down with Rangel who is unable to find Bony. Great passing, though.
Norwich have been unable to find their feet in these opening moments, Britton and Shelvey have been quick to press from deep and shift the ball forward when they win it. Swansea looking sharp at the Liberty.
Elmander thinks he's about to cause some trouble having brought down a high ball, however the linesman flags for offside and the Swedish striker huffs and assumes the position of a teapot.
CHANCE! Michu could have put Swansea ahead, but he scuffs his effort wide. It's not the most stylish of play from Swansea who lump the ball forward, it drops to the Spaniard just inside the box, but he rushes his effort and drags the ball wide of Rudy's goal.
Some lovely intricate stuff from Swansea thus far, though they've been unable to make the final play in the last third of the pitch. We've seen this a lot from the Swans this season, a lot of style but not much substance.
Snodgrass has been Norwich's best outlet so far. When they do find themselves with the ball, the visitors are looking for his strength and pace down the right as they look to give their defence a break from the monotonous passing of the hosts.
80 per cent possession for the Swans in this opening 12 minutes of the game. Norwich just haven't been able to get going.
Norwich finally get a share of possession and they manage to knock the ball around the Swansea box. Elmander is the main threat as he looks to drop deep into pockets of space, but Swansea are quick on the case with their pressing and the visitors end up giving the ball away.
More great pressing from Swansea as de Guzman puts pressure on Bassong, who is subsequently looking for a call from Rudy. The defender chooses to play it safe and hoofs it away for a corner. The ball comes in and just evades Routledge who is under pressure from Rudy who gets a touch to the ball.
Monk is furious on the touchline, he sees the touch from Rudy and is angered by the referee's decision to award a free kick for a foul on the keeper.
CHANCE! Norwich whip the ball into the box, however nobody decides to make a move on the front foot. Flores makes a mess of the clearance and flashes the ball behind for a corner.
CHANCE! Norwich whip the ball into the box, however nobody decides to make a move on the front foot. Flores makes a mess of the clearance and flashes the ball behind for a corner.
Norwich are looking a little shaky at the back and have been unable to maintain position in the opening stages. Swansea win a throw high up the pitch, which finds Bony, though he is unable to find a teammate and his lay-off is swept up by Bassong.
CLOSE! Well, it really should be 1-0 to the home side. Shelvey does really well down the left as he delivers a great ball into the box for Michu, who can only guide his effort wide of the post as he stretches to make contact.
Routledge shows a great turn of pace down the left as he searches to beat the full-back. He gets past him and delivers a teasing ball, but Norwich stay strong to head away the danger despite Bony lurking.
SAVE! Wow! What a stop. A great one-two between Michu and Routledge sees the winger nip into space behind the defence. He collects the ball and looks to bend a shot past Rudy from close range, but somehow the keeper manages to stick out a hand and deny the Swansea man a certain goal.
Down at the other end, Norwich break away on the counter, as Elmander finds Snodgrass who makes a clever run in behind the Swansea defence. However, his cross is turned away by Flores at the front post.
GOAL! GOAL! Swansea City 1-0 Norwich City (Jonathan de Guzman)
And there we go... I can't say it wasn't coming. A ball is sent into the box, with Michu winning the knock down. The ball is then scrambled to de Guzman who is lurking on the edge of the box. The midfielder makes no mistake as he lashes a fine strike past the desperate fingers of Rudy and into the keeper's bottom left corner. Great strike from the Dutchman!
Swansea have the lead they deserve and what a fine goal to earn it. Norwich have a long way to go before they can get back into this. If Swansea keep up this tempo it could easily be three or four by the end of the game.
The hosts are playing with real identity now as they shift the ball in short spurts around the Norwich box. A nice bit of play sees Bony exchange passes with Michu, but the striker is unable to complete the move as his through ball is blocked on its way to the advancing Routledge.
SAVE! Bony is fed the ball on the edge of the box, he finds himself with time and space as he looks for the top corner. However, he gets his effort a little confused and his guided shot lands firmly into the palms of Rudy in the centre of goal.
GOAL! GOAL! Swansea City 2-0 Norwich City (Jonathan de Guzman)
De Guzman grabs his second of the game but much of this goal has been earned by Bony. The big-money signing is given the ball on the edge of the box by the goalscorer, who then makes a run in behind the defence. The striker is clever enough to produce a perfectly-weighted flick which takes every defender out of the game and finds de Guzman free in front of goal. He makes no mistake as he tucks the ball calmly past Rudy. Fine move!
Poor old Norwich, they've simply been outclassed in this half. They haven't offered much going forward, though they haven't really been able to get a foothold in the game. They've needed a bit of the ball and have simply been unable to get it off Swansea, who are knocking it around like Brazil in '94.
Norwich are beginning to bring a bit of calm to proceedings now as they finally settle into the Swansea half. They haven't done this often enough and will need to camp a little further forward if they're to stave off a humiliating defeat here.
We're going to have one minute of added time here at the Liberty Stadium.
HALF TIME: Swansea City 2-0 Norwich City
There we go then, Swansea leave the pitch to a standing ovation. Norwich look completely shellshocked after the first 45 minutes of the game. The hosts have been superb in the opening gambit. They pressed with real intensity early on and have managed to cap that with the quality required to convert their chances.
Is there any way back for Hughton's men now? They look incredibly flat for a team apparently fighting for survival in the Premier League. Swansea on the other hand look like they should be competing in the top half of the table. You can't help but think the Europa League has been of detriment to Monk's side this season.
Swansea obviously come out of that half having won in the possessional statistics. The home side have dominated the game with 58 per cent in the first period. Norwich will need to eat into that stat a little more if they want to avoid having their goal difference hampered going into their final run of games this season.
The visitors will be needing to ask a bit more from their strikers in the second half. Elmander and van Wolfswinkel have not done enough to help out their team this afternoon. They've both played far too high up the pitch and have made very little effort to drop deep and help squeeze the hosts, who have undoubtedly profited from so much freedom in the middle of the park.
We're back underway at the Liberty now. Norwich have made a change as Howson is replaced by Johnson in midfield.
SAVE! Norwich almost find themselves back in the game as the ball drops to Snodgrass in a position not too dissimilar to the one that led to Swansea's first goal. The midfielder lashes a volley first time towards goal, but Vorm somehow gets down to his left post to palm the ball away. Actually, on second glance, it looks as they it's blocked on the line.
Norwich have come out with a bit of fight in this early period. They're pressing Swansea with more intensity now. It looks like Hughton may have given them a word or two at half time.
Bony looks threatening now for the home side as he is given the ball 20 yards out from goal, he shrugs off his marker with consummate ease but his shot is too tame to trouble Rudy who holds firm.
Routledge could be key to killing this game off. He breaks down the left and beats the defender without breaking a sweat. He draws out the centre back, but his resulting cross evades Michu.
CLOSE! Swansea almost make it three. They move the ball splendidly around the box before feeding it to Michu. He then lays it off for Shelvey who advances from 20-odd yards, though his strike is dragged wide of goal. That would have been a superb team effort had that found the net.
This game is really swinging from end to end now. If Norwich can grab one they might have a chance, but they're already leaving themselves open to a Swansea counter-attack. This time the men in white break away down the right, however de Guzman's cross misses everyone and runs out for a goal-kick.
YELLOW CARD! Bradley Johnson is booked for a rash challenge in the centre of the pitch.
Bony has been really impressive this afternoon. Once he has the ball at his feet nobody can get it off him. The striker is showing imperious strength and a great sense of touch.
YELLOW CARD! Alex Tettey is shown a yellow, which could have so easily been a red. Routledge gets the beating off the full-back down the left, but he hauls the winger down with an awfully cynical challenge to stop the Swansea man from getting in on goal.
YELLOW CARD Angel Rangel concedes a yellow for a pointless challenge on Martin Olsson in the middle of the pitch, he dangles a leg when the Norwich man is going nowhere.
CLOSE! I said the hosts would be dangerous on the break. This time they win the ball and feed it out quickly from defence. De Guzman is the furthest man forward as the ball is delightfully threaded through, yet the midfielder doesn't have enough pace to get the beating of the Norwich defence, who do well to close him down.
SAVE! What a wild game we have here. Norwich almost pull one back as Snodgrass levels a cross into the box, it pops up into the path of Vorm following Elmander's touch, with the keeper somehow using his head to keep the ball from finding the back of the net.
More fabulous work from Bony earns Swansea a corner. He receives the ball without a teammate in sight. The striker somehow manages to run past three defenders before the ball is herded out for a corner kick
It looks like Hughton has had enough of this from his players already. He's sticking it to them from the touchline with an animated tirade and they probably do deserve it too. They've made improvements going forward, but look a little clueless at the back this afternoon.
Michu and Johnson are going hammer and tongs at each other in the second half. This time the Swansea striker gets the beating of his man to earn a free kick with some neat footwork, with the subsequent set-piece being fired over by Shelvey.
SUBSTITUTIONS: Michu is replaced by Pablo Hernandez, while the peripheral van Wolfswinkel is replaced by Gary Hooper.
GOAL! Swansea City 3-0 Norwich City (Wayne Routledge)
Done and dusted, surely? A fabulous piece of counter-attacking football sees Shelvey lead the march through the centre of the pitch. The midfielder is able to pick out the diagonal run from Routledge who tucks round the back of Tettey and slots home with a lovely, measured finish. He almost passed that across Rudy and into the goal.
SAVE! It's still all Swansea. They move it around neatly across the pitch before Hernandez makes a smart run down the right wing. The substitute cuts inside into the box before firing off a shot down to Rudy's near post, however the stopper is alert to the danger and makes a comfortable save.
CLOSE! It's almost four as Bassong escapes a near own goal. Bony is the architect with another delightful back-heel, with the French centre-back trying to close down the danger. The ball pings off the Norwich man and misses the inside of the near post. Rudy looks helpless.
Snodgrass seems like the only player going about his work with a level head for the visitors. He has a rare blip, however, when he delivers a poor free kick which evades everyone in the box. He's been the standout player for Norwich this afternoon, but that's not saying much.
SUBSTITUTION: Bony gets a standing ovation from the home crowd as he is replaced by Alvaro Vazquez. The Ivory Coast striker has been a potential match-winner without even netting a goal this afternoon.
It's merely a case of seeing this through now for Swansea, however they want to add more as they move the ball quickly through the gears as they look to send their fans home with a fourth. The ball is lashed across the Norwich box, but it misses Vazquez and is cleared away.
Three minutes of added time have been indicated by the fourth official. Hughton will want this over with quickly... it's been a bit of a horror show from the visitors this afternoon.
He may only have himself to blame though with a few odd decision colouring this game. The Norwich manager decided to stick with van Wolfswinkel despite the striker only having seven shots on target this entire season, while the adroit Hooper has had to sit on the bench for the majority of this encounter.
Routledge takes the ball into the corner and the referee responds by blowing the final whistle. A wonderful performance from Swansea has led to a priceless win in their pursuit to gain more Premier League football next season.
FULL TIME: Swansea City 3-0 Norwich City
It makes you wonder why Swansea have been in their recent league position following performances like that. They simply outclassed Norwich this afternoon, with the visitors having no answers to the hosts' speed and skill going forward.
Palace's 1-0 win over Chelsea has thrown things up in the air for Norwich. Tony Pulis and his men are only one point behind the Canaries with a game in hand. Hughton needs points and quickly. His players will owe him something after this game. That's all from us for now, take care!
