It was a tale of two goalkeepers at Craven Cottage as Swansea picked up their first league win in five over Fulham.
The Swans' stopper Gerhard Tremmel produced a defiant performance to keep out Fulham on regular occasions while Fulham's David Stockdale handed the visitors their second goal.
Swansea had taken a half-time lead through Danny Graham before the young keeper miscued his clearance and it resulted in Jonathan de Guzman calmly slotting home.
Fulham pulled one back controversially soon after through Bryan Ruiz but they were unable to find an equaliser.
Here, Sports Mole casts its eye over an entertaining 90 minutes at Craven Cottage.
Match statistics:
Fulham:
Shots 20
On target 14
Possession 56%
Corners 9
Fouls 14
Swansea:
Shots 10
On target 9
Possession 44%
Corners 8
Fouls 12
Was the result fair?
On the balance of play, probably not. Swansea just about edged the first half and went in ahead at the break thanks to Graham's acrobatics. Fulham came out forcefully in the second half and were all over the visitors until Stockdale's poor clearance gifted De Guzman the second. Jol's men weren't to be deterred though and continued to batter the Swans' backline. They got back on level terms and could have easily nicked an equaliser late on.
Fulham's performance
With some slightly more accurate finishing or a goalkeeper less in-form than Tremmel, Fulham could have scored plenty this afternoon. They created numerous chances but only managed to find the net once and even that goal was dubious as Sascha Riether may have been offside when Ruiz's prod struck him on the way through. Stockdale's mistake for Swansea's second was the sort of thing that more often than not won't result in a chance but unfortunately for Fulham today, it did.
Swansea's performance
Clinical. The visitors were under the cosh for much of the match but took their chances well. De Guzman's finish, especially, for the second was one of high class. Laudrup won't be that pleased with the overall performance but will of course be ecstatic with the three points.
Sports Mole's man of the match
Gerhard Tremmel: The veteran German returned after being usurped by the returning Michel Vorm on Boxing Day and his performance today will certainly make Laudrup think twice about dropping him again.
Biggest gaffe
This award is only going one way today and that's to Stockdale for his miskick that cannoned off Hangeland to Hernadez, who in turn fed De Guzman to pass home from 20 yards.
Referee performance
Andre Marriner had a solid 90 minutes. The Fulham goal could have been ruled out for offside but that's his linesman's job to spot.
What next?
Fulham: The Cottagers will look to end their winless drought next time out at West Brom on New Year's Day.
Swansea: Swansea, meanwhile, welcome out-of-form Aston Villa, who have shipped 15 goals without scoring in their last three games.
Pascal Lemesre
