SWANSEA MOVED TOP of Group A with a 1-0 win against Swiss side St Gallen in the UEFA Europa League.
The sides had gone in level at the break at the Liberty Stadium after Swansea goalkeeper Gerhard Tremmel saved Goran Karanovic’s penalty following a Dwight Tiendalli handball.
However, Wayne Routledge’s close-range finish after 52 minutes was enough to give Michael Laudrup’s men back-to-back wins in Europe.
The home side took the lead when Bony’s effort from the right was parried away by Lopar into the path of Routledge. The winger latched on to the loose ball and poked in from close range to edge the home side in front seven minutes into the second half.
Substitute Alhassane Keita almost provided a swift reply after but he put the ball over the bar after expertly controlling a long ball from Lopar. Nathan Dyer would have made it two but for a Lopar save 12 minutes from time before Stephane Nater struck Tremmel’s left-hand post for the visitors.
However, the home side saw out the tie to move top of their group, with Laudrup’s charges yet to concede a goal in Europe this season.
Wigan Athletic claimed their first win in Europe as they overcame Maribor 3-1.
On-loan Manchester United teenager Nick Powell scored in either half, including the club’s first goal in European competition, sandwiching an effort from Ben Watson.
Marcos Tavares had pulled one back for the Slovenians before Powell doubled his tally but Wigan fully deserved their victory.
The Championship outfit climbed to second in Group D with the three points, while their visitors remain pointless at the foot of the standings.
