Source: Daily_Mail
Watford 0 Swansea 1: Shefki Kuqi strike nets big win for Swans
Kuqi monster: Shefki helps Paulo Sousa's side to victory against Ipswich[LNB]Shefki Kuqi's early header gave Swansea an important win at Watford which hadramifications at both ends of the Coca-Cola Championship table. [LNB]The former Ipswich striker had already spurned two good chances when he headedthe winner at Vicarage Road as Paulo Sousa's side strengthened their hold on aplay-off place.[LNB]However the visitors were indebted to a pair of goal-line clearances fromskipper Alan Tate as they shut out Watford - who are now right in the thick of abattle against relegation. [LNB]Malky Mackay's side find themselves just two points above the relegation zonein a congested table and will need to make the most of the visit of doomedPeterborough on Saturday to stave off the threat of the drop into League One. [LNB]Kuqi capped a frenetic first 45 minutes in which both sides should have scoredat least twice with the solitary goal as the Swans made it an incredible 23goals conceded in 35 league games.[LNB]John Eustace had the first shot of the night but hit the roof of the standbehind the goal from 25 yards before Danny Graham saw a header cleared from offthe line by Tate as Watford made a lively start. [LNB]Centre-half Martin Taylor saw a shot blocked from a deep free-kick before CraigBeattie came close to giving the Swans the lead in their first attack. [LNB][LNB] All the Fizz from the Coca-Cola Football League last weekendCLICK HERE FOR ALL THE CHAMPIONSHIP NEWS AND MATCH REPORTS Darren Pratley flicked on a long pass and after shrugging off the attentions ofAdrian Mariappa, Beattie drilled in a powerful effort which Watford'shighly-rated goalkeeper Scott Loach did well to beat out at the near post. [LNB]That chance sparked Swansea into the life and Pratley then crossed for Kuqi toclimb above Loach but the Finn saw his weak header crash against the base of thepost. [LNB]Kuqi again should have done better minutes later when he headed an excellentcross from Cedric van der Gun straight at Loach, but did finally score at thethird time of asking in the 18th minute. [LNB]Angel Rangel cut out a pass by Watford midfielder Henri Lansbury and started alightning-quick counter attack.Pratley found Beattie in space on the right and his fine early ball found Kuqiinside the six-yard box. [LNB]England Under-21 keeper Loach got a strong hand to his diving header but theball found its way into the net.Only an agile save from Dorus De Vries prevented Jon Harley from heading thehome side level as the home side made a bright response and Tate made his secondcrucial clearance from under his own crossbar to volley Jay DeMerit's headerclear before half-time. [LNB]The opening of the second period failed to live up to the first as both sidesstruggled to control the ball on a difficult surface. [LNB]DeMerit headed over from a long throw as the home side attempted to exert somepressure while the Swans were content to rely on their extraordinary defensiverecord to see out the win.And De Vries was able to record another clean sheet after keeping out a lateeffort from Heidar Helguson as Sousa celebrated three more points.[LNB] [LNB]
