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Shelvey - Win Will Kickstart Season

Jonjo Shelvey has come in for some criticism in recent weeks but this afternoon he was the matchwinner as the Swans secured a third successive win at Fulham thanks to his strike from the edge of the area and he is now looking for the Swans to kick on from the win.

Shelvey was a second half substitute during the game but a vital cog in the result although he could have adde more to the game had he managed to grab his second in stoppage time after being played in perfectly by fellow substitute Alvaro Vazquez.

It hasn't been the easiest start to Shelvey's Swansea career although today was his second goal - his first coming against former club Liverpool earlier in the season in a game where he also made a mistake that led to a Liverpool goal.

Shelvey has been criticised though after some recent performances but you just know that despite that criticism it is easy to see why Michael Laudrup paid over £5m for his services back in the summer and the more he continues to improve the more pivotal his role could be in the Swans side this season.

"We needed the three points, and it’s important that we beat teams like Fulham because they are around us in the table,” said Shelvey.

"I think it will kickstart our season.”

Shelvey will be hoping to return to the starting line up on Thursday as the Swans welcome Valencia to the Liberty Stadium knowing that they could end the evening progressing in the Europa League after an unbeaten group stage so far.

"I was disappointed not to start, but that’s football. It was important to get on and show the manager why I think I should start,” reflected Shelvey.

"The main thing was the win, though, and we’re all delighted with the three points. We worked very hard throughout as a team.”

Match statistics back up Shelvey's view with the Swans over 60% possession during the game being a vital cog in their win that lifted them to 10th place in the table.

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