De Guzman hails Mestalla triumph

Jonathan de Guzman hailed his team-mates after the superb 3-0 win over Valencia.

The Swans kicked off their Europa League group stage campaign with a memorable performance in the Mestalla.

Valencia, who are struggling in La Liga, found themselves down to ten men early on before Wilfried Bony put the visitors ahead.

Michu doubled the advantage early in the second half, and de Guzman himself netted a fine third with a 30-yard free-kick.

And the Dutchman praised the way in which his team-mates saw an opportunity to kick-off their Group A campaign with a win.

"The most important thing is the win," he said. "After they got the red card early on it was only a matter of time before we got the first goal.

"From then on it was about looking for the openings and trying to create chances, because we then saw it as a great opportunity to get the three points.

"We always pass the ball around very well, and we showed a good example of that. Valencia is a great team with a good squad, and they have a lot of creative players.

"They haven't had the best of starts so far this season, but it was also important that we got the second goal because you have to be wary against a team playing on the counter attack."

De Guzman himself opened his account for the season in some style at the Mestalla.

The Netherlands international scored a sublime free kick midway through the second half as the Swans secured a memorable win.

But the midfielder turned his attention to Sunday's Premier League clash against newly-promoted Crystal Palace.

"I saw that they only had two men in the wall, but even then it was pretty far for my range," he said. "But I thought I would try it and it turned out very well.

"Sunday won't be an easy game. We're on the road again, but with the depth we have in the squad I think we can do well."