Garry Monk admits Jonathan de Guzman will be top of Swansea’s summer shopping list after watching the Dutchman fire Swansea nearer to Premier League safety.

The midfielder, on loan from Villarreal, struck twice in eight first-half minutes to increase Norwich’s relegation concerns, with Wayne Routledge sealing the win as Swansea moved seven points clear of the drop zone.

De Guzman now has five goals in his last nine appearances as he looks to force his way into Holland’s World Cup squad, and Monk, for whom this was just a second win as interim boss, hopes his long-term future is in south Wales.

‘I would imagine he is a player who is at the top of our list, he is a very good player and he suits how we play,’ said Monk.

‘He was man-of-the-match, his movements and desire to get the ball back in an unfamiliar role were excellent and he was rewarded with two goals.

‘He enjoys it here, he has thrived here so he would be an important signing but we have to speak to the player and see what he thinks.’

After a scrappy start, the first goal came in the 30th minute, the visitors’ rearguard failed to deal with Jonjo Shelvey’s cross and De Guzman dispatched a low volley into the bottom corner.

The second was not long in coming. Wilfried Bony produced a backheel of imagination and poise not normally associated with a man of his bruising build to give De Guzman, who had escaped Jonny Howson’s attentions, a simple finish.

Furious Canaries’ boss Chris Hughton withdrew Howson and Wes Hoolahan and threw on Jonas Gutierrez and Bradley Johnson at the interval, and they started the second-half positively with Robert Snodgrass’ volley being cleared off the line by Ashley Williams.

As time ticked on the game became increasingly niggly, with Johnson and Aexander Tettey booked in quick succession and Gutierrez accusing Shelvey of using an elbow to fend him off

Between the series of robust challenges Michel Vorm saved well from Johan Elmander at the near post, before Swansea killed the game off.

Shelvey led a rapid break and Routledge outstripped the outnumbered Norwich defence to roll in the clincher.

Norwich are six points above the drop zone, but face Liverpool, Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal in their final four fixtures.

Hughton said: ‘We didn’t deserve anything at all. Apart from Snodgrass chance we were second best for the rest of the game we have found it difficult away from home to find that right formula.

‘We were so far sort of what is required at this level that we never gave ourselves a chance in the first half.’

The first chance fell to Michu in the eighth minute. The Spanish marksman latched onto a pass from Angel Rangel just outside the box but dragged his effort wide.

There were plenty of lateral passes but little penetration from the Swans in the early stages as Norwich stood firm and held their rigid 4-4-2 formation. But as the half wore on the cracks opened up.

Michu again shot wide in the 24th minute and a low save from Canaries goalkeeper John Ruddy, followed by an urgent clearance from midfielder Wes Hoolahan, was needed to repel Routledge during the next attack.

De Guzman bagged a deserved opener on the half-hour. It was midfielder Jonjo Shelvey – involved in most of his side’s good work – who delivered the initial cross from the right.

When the visitors’ defence failed to clear under pressure from Michu and Routledge, De Guzman was there to pounce and rifled home from 18 yards for his fourth league goal of the season.

Sublime skill from Bony laid the second on a plate for De Guzman after 38 minutes. As the midfielder played it into feet there was no clear route to goal. But the Ivorian top scorer showed he can create as well as bang in the goals by performing an audacious drag over and back-heel to return the ball to De Guzman, who finished coolly, off the post.

The Canaries had little to show for their efforts in the first half – a couple of corners and a tame shot from full-back Russell Martin their only signs of promise.

The jitters struck for the Swans straight after the break. Skipper Williams had to clear a Johnson shot from the goal line and Michel Vorm struggled to deal with a downward header from Ricky van Wolfswinkel.

Shelvey went close after some great interplay down the left, then he turned provider when he set De Guzman away from inside his half, racing towards goal. His lay-off to Bony was fired over, but reminded the visitors of the perils of committing too many players forward in search of a goal.

With 20 minutes to go the Swans began to open up, threading cute passes and forcing some scrambled defence from the Canaries. Michu made way for Pablo Hernandez to a standing ovation. He is still not back to his best but appears to be improving with every minute of action after his long injury lay-off.

Leon Britton – making his 400th league start for Swansea in a career that has spanned all four divisions – beavered away in midfield all day.

Routledge put the result beyond doubt when he ran behind the defence and calmly finished off a Shelvey through-ball.

Another Bony back-heel led to confusion in the Canaries’ defence, causing skipper Sebastien Bassong to strike the ball against his own post.

Hughton’s Canaries could not muster any consolation as the clock ticked down to Swansea’s fifth home league win in the last 21.

Meanwhile, Norwich’s away woes continue, having picked up only two points from the last 24 on the road

—Daily Mail