Southampton continued their impressive recent run in the Premier League by seeing off Swansea City 1-0 at the Liberty Stadium.
Shane Long scored the only goal of the game 20 minutes from time for the Saints, who have now picked up five wins and a draw in their last six outings.
Swansea could only muster two attempts on target all afternoon, despite heading into the game knowing that victory would be required if they were to push away from the relegation zone.
Relive how the 90 minutes of action unfolded with Sports Mole's live text coverage below.
Hello and welcome to Sports Mole's live text coverage of the Premier League meeting between Swansea City and Southampton at the Liberty Stadium. Two sides enjoying some improved form of late face off in South Wales, but it is the visitors who will head into this clash feeling the more confident.
The Swans may have improved in recent weeks, putting together their joint-best unbeaten run this term, but still relegation remains a real possibility under new Italian manager Francesco Guidolin. Four points is now the margin between the hosts and a return to the Championship, while today's opponents have their eyes set on European football thanks to a recent upturn in fortunes of their own under Ronald Koeman.
TEAM NEWS!
SWANSEA CITY XI: Fabianski, Rangel, Fernandez, Williams, Taylor, Britton, Cork, Sigurdsson, Routledge, Ayew, Paloschi
SOUTHAMPTON XI: Forster, Clasie, Fonte, Long, Davis, Romeu, Ward-Prowse, Van Dijk, Pelle, Bertrand, Targett
Let us start by checking out the home side, then, which shows zero changes from last time out. Francesco Guidolin may have seen his side throw away one-goal leads in each of their last two outings, but he is clearly happy with the momentum that is seemingly being built-up, meaning an unchanged side from that 1-1 draw at home to Crystal Palace seven days ago in South Wales.
It means we have another chance to see Alberto Paloschi up close this afternoon, a player who appears to have the potential to find the net on a regular basis at this level. The January recruit has yet to find the back of the net in his two games for the Swans, but his movement has certainly caused defenders a few problems so far and supporters will be eager to see how he fairs against the Saints' backline in this one.
In the middle of the park, Jack Cork will run out against his former side once more aiming to make an impact from deep. Ki Sung-yeung had been pushing for a start, but is deemed only fit enough for a place on the bench, so it will be left to Cork to keep his side ticking over in the engine room this afternoon. An in-form Gylfi Sigurdsson, who has five goals in his last six Premier League outings, will offer further support to Paloschi higher up the field.
In terms of the visitors, they make a total of four changes from the 1-0 win over West Ham United last weekend. One of those is enforced, as battling midfielder Victor Wanyama sits out the first of his five-match suspension, while Cedric, Maya Yoshida and Sadio Mane all drop down to the bench for a fresh-looking Southampton side.
Oriol Romeu, James Ward-Prowse, Steven Davis Matt Targett are the men to come into the first-team fold, the latter two of whom have been deemed fit enough after overcoming their respective injury problems. There is no place in the squad for James Rodriguez, though, with the forward still a couple of weeks away from a full return to training after his latest layoff.
Graziano Pelle will as even prove to be one of the players to watch for the visiting side this afternoon, although it has now been nine games since he last found the back of the net. It has been down the other end of the pitch, in fact, where the Saints have particularly prospered of late, having gone five games since last shipping a goal. That run coincides with Fraser Forster's welcome return to injury after his long-term layoff.
BENCH WATCH!
SWANSEA CITY SUBS: Nordfeldt, Naughton, Amat, Ki, Fer, Barrow, Gomis
SOUTHAMPTON SUBS: Stekelenburg, Cedric, Yoshida, Mane, Tadic, Juanmi, Austin
Francesco Guidolin may have named an unchanged starting lineup, but he has shuffled his bench a little with the return to fitness of Ki. The South Korea international was left concussed during the 1-1 draw with West Bromwich Albion a little under two weeks ago, subsequently forcing him to sit out the draw against Palace, but he returns in place of the out-of-favour Jefferson Montero today.
So no place in the squad for the suspended Victor Wanyama today as far as Southampton are concerned, but they can still call upon a strong looking bench which includes the attacking talents of Dusan Tadic and Charlie Austin. Sadio Mane is another who will no doubt to make an appearance at the Liberty Stadium - a ground the Saints have fared well at in recent times.
Victor Wanyama was shown his third red card of the season in last weekend's victory against West Ham United, meaning that he misses out for Southampton this afternoon. Ronald Koeman makes three other changes to his side, including a welcome return for Steven Davis in midfield, while opposite number Francesco Guidolin goes with an unchanged starting lineup for this crucial clash.
Things may just be looking up for Swansea at the bottom end of the table, but safety is far from secured at this stage. The record books may show an unbeaten record under Guidolin, including a particularly impressive - and extremely rare - victory over Everton at Goodison Park in his first official game at the helm, but back-to-back draws against out-of-form sides West Brom and Palace must go down as opportunities missed.
The manner in which the Swans conceded against West Brom right at the death was particularly worrying, while Palace also ended a poor run of form by picking up a point here just seven days ago. Both sides prospered from some slack set-piece marking, against a Swans side who just cannot seem to keep out opponents when it comes to deliveries into the box. All three goals conceded under the tenure of Guidolin have come from set-piece goals, in fact - a worrying trend that must be cut out sooner rather than later.
That said, a run of four games unbeaten in the Premier League is certainly a welcome return, especially considering that it was previously just two wins in 19 under Garry Monk and Alan Curtis. Four points and two places is currently the difference between Swansea and the drop zone, but with Sunderland currently beating Manchester United in the day's early kickoff - more on that later - the pressure is now well and truly on the Welsh outfit.
It is also worth mentioning that City's next two outings takes them to North London where they face title-challenging sides Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal. A point from those two fixtures would surely be seen as a good return, you feel, making today's game all the more important. Make no mistake about it - defeat today and the nerves will well and truly be jangling around this part of the country.
Guidolin himself talked this week about the importance of reaching that 40-point mark, which is often seen as the minimum requirement to secure safety. Should that be the case, the Swans need to average one point a game from their remaining 13 fixtures, but that is easier said than done when factoring in that they face a run of tough matches over the remainder of this month.
DID YOU KNOW? Fifty-eight per cent of goals scored by Swansea City in the Premier League so far this season have come in the first half of matches - a division high. Guidolin's charges certainly know how to take the lead in games, as witnessed over the past fortnight, yet keeping hold of those slender advantages and seeing a game through is a different matter entirely.
One thing that City certainly have in their favour is a decent enough home record of late, having lost just one of their last five at the Liberty Stadium. If they are to take anything away from this game then you feel Sigurdsson in particular will have to be on top of his game, with the Icelandic international bagging five goals in his last six outings. Should the Swans go down, then the ex-Tottenham ace is one who will certainly not be sticking around for the long term.
The ship has certainly been steadied at the Liberty Stadium since Francesco Guidolin took full charge last month, but back-to-back draws in games that Swansea City at times had control of has left the club hanging dangerously close to the relegation zone.
Time to bring you news of a full-time result from elsewhere this afternoon - and it is bad news for Swansea supporters, I'm afraid. Sunderland have beaten Manchester United 2-1 at the Stadium of Light to give their own survival hopes a major boost. It means that all of a sudden both Norwich City and now Sunderland are just four points behind the Swans, in a relegation battle that will no doubt go right down to the wire.
On the other side of the coin, Southampton can further close the gap on Man United in fifth place should they extend their impressive form this afternoon. The saints currently find themselves in seventh place, which is the position they found themselves in at the end of a season to remember last time out. After a somewhat indifferent first half to the campaign, Ronaldo Koeman has once again seemingly worked his magic to assemble another group capable of challenging for a top-five finish.
One win spanning across a barren three-month period at the back end of last year and into the start of this year lead to some questions being asked of Koeman - not from the majority of the Saints' fanbase, it must be said - but the Dutchman has well and truly helped turn his side's season around. It is now four wins and a draw in their last five, taking them to within five points of fifth place with a game in hand to play over Man United.
Following today's clash at the Liberty Stadium, Southampton face bottom-half Chelsea, Bournemouth, Sunderland and then Stoke City, so there is a real chance to keep momentum building into the final stretch of the campaign. Leicester City may be the real success story of this season regardless of what happens between now and May, but Southampton again deserve real praise for building on last term's achievements - albeit in a somewhat delayed manner.
As mentioned a little earlier, it is no real coincidence that this upturn in form has coincided with the return to action of Fraser Forster. The England international has not conceded in any of the five games he has featured in since returning between the sticks, keeping out a total of 14 shots on target during that time. The last player to breach the Saints' goal was Alex Tettey back on January 2 - a run that both Forster and Southampton will be desperate to extend here today.
PREVIOUS MEETINGS! Southampton have won four of the last five meetings between these two sides, while it is just one defeat in the previous seven overall. Swansea have not found the net in any of the three Premier League meetings at the Liberty Stadium, in fact, although they did pick up a rare win over their opponents on the South Coast last season.
There is now around six minutes to go before we get underway in Wales, so let's check out the pre-match thoughts from both camps heading into this clash.
Francesco Guidolin: "It will be a difficult game because they are a good team with good players and Koeman is an excellent manager. But we have the chance to play well and to win the game so I am confident."
Ronald Koeman: "If a player is out for nine or 10 months then you are not sure how they will come back, or you are not sure if they will go straight in at that level - but it has surprised me. It is a great credit to [Forster] and the medical staff because the player was back in full condition."
Guidolin keen to continuing building some momentum, then, but after seeing Sunderland pick up three valuable points against Manchester United already today, surely the pressure is now on to go out there and go for the win. Arsenal and Tottenham await, remember, so this really is a crucial match for the home side. Southampton, on the other hand, are now flying high and in a strong position to push on and improve on last season's seventh-place finish.
Just two minutes to go until kickoff at the Liberty Stadium now, in a game that will hopefully see both sides go all out to pick up a win. They may be at opposite ends of the table, but the incentive is there for Swansea and Southampton to get what will be three vital points in their quest for survival and European football respectively.
KICKOFF! Southampton get us underway at the Liberty Stadium. A decent atmosphere inside the Liberty Stadium from the off, as supporters watch on in anticipation of a game that their side cannot afford to lose.
A whipped ball into the box looks to be heading for the head of a leaping Routledge, but the winger got some of Fonte's shirt and a free kick was awarded to the visitors. Swansea the better side in these opening few minutes as they push forward in numbers.
Shane Long looks to lead a counter for the visiting side, but Williams gets across well to cut out any danger. Balanced feel to the game now after a bright Swansea start, with the Swans just about edging things in the possession stakes so far.
SAVE! First shot of the game is a decent one from Pelle, as he takes on a volley from the edge of the box which Fabianski does well to get down and keep hold of. The Polish international opted to punch a cross rather than collect it, with Long nodding down for his teammate to latch on to.
Swansea not really doing a great deal with the ball at the moment, while Southampton are seemingly happy to sit back at this stage. Atmosphere has gone a little flat as a result, with that one Pelle shot on target the only real excitement so far.
SHOT! Ayew gets in Swansea's first shot on goal after a run from deep, but it was never going to ask any serious questions of Forster. That is now 15 shots on target the Englishman has kept out since last conceding some five games ago.
Ward-Prowse sends in a decent set-piece delivery, which Swansea often struggle to deal with. Fonte got on the end of the cross, too, only to flash a header a good yard wide of goal towards the back post. The Swans have real problems defending those types of balls into the box.
Pelle unfortunate not to get in behind the Swans' backline at the end of a decent passing move from the visitors. Both teams happy to sit back when required and form a defensive shape - in many ways a microcosm of the counter-attack obsessed nature of the Premier League this season.
BLOCK! Another fine delivery from Ward-Prowse, this time from open play down the right, but Ashley Williams superbly blocked the ball to deny Romeu a clean strike at goal from close range. Southampton edging things with 17 minutes on the clock, without being able to truly test Fabianski.
Five games currently being played in the Premier League this afternoon, and the away side lead in three of them. No real sign of a breakthrough here at the Liberty, although Taylor tried his best to change that with a fine cross from the left which went straight through the box untouched.
Not the greatest piece of defending from Swansea once more at a corner, but Romeu can only blast his shot high over the bar from range. Ayew is currently limping around a little awkwardly after seeing his knee buckle a little during an earlier challenge.
Some really nicely play by Sigurdsson to work some space for a shot, which he ultimately blasts high and wide in the end. The Icelandic midfielder was given far too much space by Clasie, which can often prove costly.
More than 25 minutes in now and this game has still yet to spark into life. Just a single shot on goal by each side, neither of which truly troubled either stopper, is all we have to show for play in an attacking sense. You get the sense, even at this early stage, that a single goal could be the difference today.
The latest possession stats show both sides have had a 50% share of the ball in the opening third of this match. It has been far from a classic, but often these cagey affairs can spark into life in a moment. Swansea will be happy enough with the way things are going, but they have scored the vast majority of their goals this term in the opening 45 minutes of games.
Taylor has played another smart ball into the box, this time picking out Sigurdsson who did well to evade his marker. A poor first touch let down the Swansea man, though, and another shooting chance goes begging. Still goalless in South Wales.
Another half-decent Swansea attack breaks down with a poor final pass into the box. Forster has been a mere spectator so far, while Fabianski has only had to keep out the one shot so far as well. This is one of those games being decided by the midfield battle more than anything else.
YELLOW CARD! Oriol Romeu is shown the game's first yellow card by referee Jonathan Moss after bringing down Britton. No real complaints there. Moments later, Bertrand took on a shot from 35 yard which dipped onto the roof of the net.
Routledge and Ayew have swapped sides for the hosts in an apparent attempt to make something - anything! - happen. A very sombre atmosphere around the Liberty Stadium so far, which has obviously not been helped by the tame manner of things on the field of play. Britton's attempt is dragged a few yards wide of target.
Long wins a header in the box but is unable to find a red and white top with his knockdown. It is now Southampton's turn to knock the ball around, following the theme of the game pretty much. Half time is quickly approaching now, which is certainly not a bad thing.
Swansea are pretty poor at defending from set-pieces, but it is a different matter entirely in terms of last-ditch defending. Long and Clasie both have shots on target blocked before they could reach their intended destination.
Southampton ending this half on top, as Long goes up against Fernandez in a sprint to the ball. The game is crying out for someone to get in behind, but it has just not happened whatsoever so far. Four minutes to go until the interval and still just the two shots on target.
CHANCE! First real chance of the match for either side, and it falls to arguably the most in-form player of the lot. Paloschi does well to flick on a cross at the front post, allowing Sigurdsson to take on a volley from around 10 yards out. It was far from easy, but the midfielder probably shot have been hitting the target at the very least, rather than picking out the stands.
CHANCE! Well moments after Sigurdsson's opening, Long gets an even better chance! A cross from the right was completely missed by Fernandez, who just let the ball loft over his head. Shane Long was waiting totally unmarked but could only head directly at a grateful Fabianski. Southampton have blown a real chance there.
HALF TIME: SWANSEA CITY 0-0 SOUTHAMPTON
So a rather bland first half at the Liberty Stadium, in which the two best chances of the opening 45 minutes were kept until the closing stages. The best of the lot fell to Shane Long, who failed to direct his header past Lukasz Fabianski from just a few yards out in the last meaningful act of the half.
Gylfi Sigurdsson blasted over on the volley for the Swans just moments beforehand, although that was a far more difficult chance which the midfielder blasted high over the bar. Other than that, we have seen very little by the way of goalmouth action. One shot on target for each side - Pelle and Ayew getting weak efforts away inside the opening 10 minutes of the contest.
There has not been a lot between the two teams, best summed up by the near identical possession figures, but Southampton have just about been the more likely to find a way through. Other than that Shane chance and Pelle shot, they also had a few attempts blocked inside the box throughout the half. Fabianski has had next to nothing to do, however, so changes could be made at the interval.
Here is a reminder of how both sides shape up at the halfway point in terms of their back-up options. Charlie Austin, Sadio Mane and Dusan Tadic all available for the visitors, while Swansea can call upon the returning Ki Sung-Yeung and recent purchase Leroy Fer among others.
SWANSEA CITY SUBS: Nordfeldt, Naughton, Amat, Ki, Fer, Barrow, Gomis
SOUTHAMPTON SUBS: Stekelenburg, Cedric, Yoshida, Mane, Tadic, Juanmi, Austin
Very little in terms of goalmouth action at the Liberty Stadium in the first half, but the best chance of the game by quite some distance fell to Shane Long in the dying embers of the opening 45 minutes.
Both sides have now emerged back down the tunnel ahead of the resumption of play, which is now just moments away. The most exciting part of the opening 45 minutes were kept until the very end, so let's just hope that is a sign of things to come early in this second half.
RESTART! Swansea get us back underway at the Liberty Stadium, sitting four points above the drop zone as things stand. Sunderland have already won today, while fellow strugglers Norwich City are drawing at home to West Ham United.
No changes made by either manager at the interval, incidentally, so it is as you were. The alterations made as this half progresses may prove to be key, with plenty of attacking options available to both.
In what could be a sign of things to come, some gaps open up in midfield which Swansea look to capitalise on. A quick break forward, instigated by Britton, ended with just a throw-in to show for their efforts, though.
Superb cross from Bertrand, which Romeu gets horrible wrong when glancing a header wide of target. That has to go down as half a chance for the Saints, who really should be ahead at this stage in proceedings.
Long misses out on the chance to pick out teammate Pelle, as he puts far too much swing on his back-post cross. Southampton growing into the game more and more, which perhaps explains why there is some movement down on the Swansea bench. Routledge the man to make way, apparently.
SHOT! Not far wide at all from Sigurdsson, who bends a shot just inches wide of the goal. Southampton have looked the brighter during this second half so far, but that was as close as we have come to a breakthrough since the restart.
GOAL DISALLOWED! Southampton have the ball in the back of the net at long last, only for the referee to rule it out. Fabianski just about had two hands on the ball when being challenged by Fonte, deeming Pelle's subsequent tap-in illegal in the eyes of the official.
SWANSEA CITY SUB! First change of the afternoon sees Modou Barrow replace Wayne Routledge for City. Norwich City have just taken the lead against West Ham United elsewhere in the Premier League, which is clearly filtering through around the Liberty Stadium.
A far brighter second half for both sides, then, albeit without the net being breached thus far. Swansea and Southampton certainly going forward on a more regular basis now, though, sensing that time is running out to pick up maximum points. We are now poised for further changes...
SOUTHAMPTON SUB! Romeu makes way for Cedric, moments before Clasie earns his side's second yellow card of the afternoon. Meanwhile, Sigurdsson's free kick is whipped into the back-post area, yet Williams somehow failed to get a meaningful touch on the ball.
SWANSEA CITY SUB! Barrow uses his fresh legs to really get at the opposition, but his cross is lifted over the head of all three of the white shirts in the area. Naughton is now on for Rangel, as Swansea make their second alteration of the match.
SAVE! Long gets on the end of a knockdown in the area, but is forced to take a few extra touches of the ball which takes him away from goal. The shot eventually arrived, yet it was somewhat dragged and Fabianski was able to routinely get across to collect.
GOAL! SWANSEA CITY 0-1 SOUTHAMPTON (SHANE LONG)
We have the all important breakthrough at the Liberty Stadium, and it has gone Southampton's way. The Saints' deliveries into the box have been superb this afternoon, with Ward-Prowse's latest ball from the right being met by a completely unmarked Shane Long. He missed a sitter at the end of the first half, but this one somehow squirmed through the hands of Fabianski. Poor defending all-around by the Swans.
SWANSEA CITY SUB! Final change of the afternoon made by Guidolin, whose side now find themselves desperately chasing a goal. Gomis is on for Britton as the Swans look to shuffle things around in attack.
SOUTHAMPTON SUB! Charlie Austin is finally introduced in place of Graziano Pelle. Not a bad option to call upon when you find yourself a goal to the good. Swansea desperately trying to wrestle back some momentum, which they have not really had all afternoon.
Barrow has done well since coming on, but an over-reliance on using his left foot works against him on this occasion as he is forced to cut inside and fire wide. Less than 15 minutes to go bow but the odd sign that Swansea have a chance or two in them.
Swansea certainly the side looking the more brighter since that Long goal 10 minutes ago, but Forster is still a spectator. They need to turn crosses into shots on target, or else it will be six games without conceding for the visiting side.
Southampton now happy to sit back and soak up pressure. It is a danger tactic to deploy, having really been on top in the 20 minutes leading to their breakthrough, yet it seems to be working just fine thus far. The onus now on Swansea.
Another change being readied by Koeman, and it looks like Yoshida will be the man brought on. Forster is actually looking across to the bench, though, so maybe he will have to be brought off instead. Not a great deal happening in terms of goalmouth action at the moment.
Gomis nods the ball across goal, but Southampton stand strong to clear their lines. The Saints now having to do a fair bit of defending in these late stages. They have not looked like conceding all afternoon really, but football is a strange game at times.
SOUTHAMPTON SUB! Sigurdsson's cross from a corner is met by Williams, but he can only head into a sea of bodies. Yoshida is on for Targett, making Koeman's intentions clear to see late on. Southampton requiring fresh legs at the back to see this one through.
No changes left for any side to make, then, so you would expect the next couple of minutes - plus added time - to be non-stop Swansea pressing. Southampton not even counter-attacking, but instead keeping as many men behind the ball as possible.
PENALTY APPEAL! Paloschi has done very little today, but he goes down in the box and appeals loudly for a penalty. It looked to be more of a foul on Yoshida than anything, though. Up the other end, Austin sees his deflected shot saved when he had Long free up with him.
Swansea really throwing everything at their opponents now, but they just cannot create any sort of opening. Forster happy to watch on as the hosts struggle to carve the Saints open.
FULL TIME: SWANSEA CITY 0-1 SOUTHAMPTON
Southampton see out the remaining seconds with relative ease, meaning a sixth clean sheet on the bounce for Fraser Forster! More importantly for the Saints, it is a fifth win in their last six outings, taking them up to the lofty heights of sixth place in the Premier League table.
That draws to a close Sports Mole's live text coverage of events at the Liberty Stadium, but before leaving you there is still time to point you in the direction of our on-the-whistle match report from South Wales. Thanks for joining!
