Some might criticise the home support for short memories after they booed the team off at the final whistle, but performances have been poor for several weeks and the absence of Cissé, along with Fabricio Coloccini, Yohan Cabaye and Jonás Gutiérrez, can only excuse so much.
"We kept being told the decision would be overturned and Papiss would be allowed to play," added Pardew. "Then at 13.40 we were told he wouldn't be. He should have played because we haven't done anything wrong."
Swansea were not just nice to watch, they packed a punch and manager Michel Laudrup was not exaggerating when he said his team "created eight or nine big chances" during his team's "best away performance of the season." Nathan Dyer dragged a shot wide after just six minutes and both Pablo Hernández and Michu had decent chances in the first half.
Newcastle's defence struggled to cope with Swansea's front three, although Swansea's never got to grips with Hatem Ben Arfa.
The Frenchman almost created two goals for Demba Ba and was only denied one himself when Gerhard Tremmel adjusted in mid-air to tip a shot over the bar.
Ba missed a sitter early in the second half as Newcastle began brightly but their defence looked vulnerable and Itay Shechter should have scored soon after.
Swansea did not have to wait long to take the lead, Michu heading home after Tim Krul's lazy kick had gone straight to Hernández. Newcastle pulled one goal back in stoppage time through Ba, but Jonathan De Guzman had already extended Swansea's lead, mopping up after Danny Graham's shot was saved.
Match details
Newcastle (4-4-1-1): Krul; Simpson (Bigirimana 74), Williamson, Taylor, Santon; Ben Arfa, Anita, Tiote, Ferguson (Shola Ameobi 46); Sammy Ameobi (Marveaux 79); Ba.
Subs: Elliot (g), Tavernier, Amalfitano, Abeid.
Booked: Santon.
Swansea (4-3-3): Tremmel; Rangel, Monk, Williams, Davies; De Guzman, Britton, Hernandez; Shechter (Augustien 66), Michu (Graham 82), Dyer (Routledge 62).
Subs: Cornell (g), Chico, Tiendalli, Moore.
Booked: Rangel, Britton, Shechter.
Referee: P Dowd (Staffs).
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