Win can kickstart season, says Shelvey

Jonjo Shelvey struck the winner at Fulham and then insisted that victory could kickstart the Swans' season.

The England international came off the bench to curl home a sublime finish into the top corner after an own goal from Aaron Hughes was cancelled out by Scott Parker.

The win moved Michael Laudrup's side up to tenth in the Barclays Premier League table, and Shelvey feels the club's first victory in five games in all competitions can act as a springboard for the rest of the campaign.

"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's fantastic finish was his third goal of the season following his summer move from Liverpool.

The midfielder replaced Nathan Dyer just before the hour mark and he held off two challenges before curling a sublime effort into the top corner past Fulham keeper Maarten Stekelenburg with ten minutes left.

And, in added-on time, he could have had another after chesting down an Alvaro Vazquez crossfield pass before wrongfooting Stekelenburg.

But the covering defence came to the Dutch keeper's rescue by snuffing out the danger.

It mattered little, though, as Shelvey and Co were celebrating seconds later as the final whistled blew.

"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.

"For my goal, it is something that happens in a split second. You don't think straight away that you'll put it in the top corner, but I sidestepped a couple of players and fortunately it went in.

"I should have scored another goal late on. I did the keeper and I should have hit it with my left foot but their defence got back in time to block it.

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