Premier League preview: Swansea v West Ham United

Swansea produced a five-star performance in their Premier League opener and will aim to replicate that display against West Ham United.

Michael Laudrup’s first match as manager of the Welsh club resulted in a 5-0 whitewash of QPR at Loftus Road, with Spaniard Michu’s brace setting the tone.

The 26-year-old, a two-million-pound close-season signing from Rayo Vallecano, played a leading role in Swansea’s biggest-ever top-flight victory, eclipsing the 5-1 demolition against Leeds on the opening day of the 1981/82 season.

Nathan Dyer also bagged a brace against QPR, while Scott Sinclair, who has been linked to Manchester City after refusing to sign a new contract, netted a goal of his own.

Laudrup was clearly delighted with the win.

“To win away from home on the opening day of the season is big,” he said. “The five goals are something extra for you (the media) and the supporters.

“The most important thing was that we won.”

It will be a complete contrast of football philosophy when West Ham make the trip to Wales on Saturday.

Sam Allardyce is known for his direct approach and while effective, they will need to remain patient against a Swansea side who regularly dominate possession.

West Ham handed manager Allardyce oversaw victory in his side’s first outing following their return to the top flight, edging Aston Villa 1-0 at Upton Park.

Kevin Nolan tapped in a 40th-minute goal for the newly promoted London side after some good work from Portuguese striker Ricardo Vaz Te and Allardyce is in a confident mood heading into Saturday’s match.

“Our fixture list hasn’t given us any of the big boys in the opening games so you’ve got to try to take advantage,” the former Bolton, Newcastle and Blackburn manager said.

“Not that I’m suggesting any game is easy as a newly promoted team, but it gives you a much better chance to play to your best. If you play to your best against the big boys you can still get beaten.

“Hopefully against Swansea it continues where we left off and we collect those points before we go into that period where you expect life might be a more difficult for us.”

The two teams last met in a top-flight fixture during the 1982/83 season, when West Ham triumphed 5-1 in Wales.