Yet Swansea felt they should have won that game, and Jackett's relative satisfaction with performance if not result was reflected on his teamsheet for this one.

There was just one change to the starting line-up, Andy Robinson, having served a one-match suspension, returning on the left flank ahead of Tom Butler.

Butler joined Kristian O'Leary, back after a successful loan at Cheltenham, on the substitutes' bench with Tom Williams and Izzy Iriekpen two senior figures who did not even make the 16.

Jackett had a strong squad at his disposal, then, as Swansea sought a happier Christmas than in 2005, when a miserable stretch of results knocked their promotion bandwagon off the tracks.

While Swansea hope for better this time round, Dario Gradi's Railwaymen are chugging along in mid-table having been relegated from the Championship last May.

And it was the visitors - and in particular Trundle - who looked the slicker outfit from the outset yesterday.

The game was not yet three minutes old when Rory Fallon was nudged by his marker some 35 yards from goal.

Robinson looked for all the world to be lining up an ambitious long-ranger, but he stopped at the last minute and rolled the free-kick into his Scouse chum around the penalty spot.

One touch later, Trundle had left central defender Julien Baudet behind and, having bought himself space, stroked Swansea ahead with a 15-yarder which rolled into the corner of the net.

If Crewe had taken a near instant opportunity to cancel the lead out, the first half might have followed a different path. But when Michael O'Connor failed to expose a chasm in the centre of Swansea's defence, dragging his shot harmlessly wide, Swansea took over.

Their second goal very nearly arrived when Willy Gueret's long free-kick was flicked on by Fallon. Controlling effortlessly on his chest, Trundle turned and struck a fierce volley all in one movement which left keeper Stuart Tomlinson rooted like a Christmas tree.

But Swansea's talisman was denied what would have been a memorable goal by the inside of the post, the ball ricocheting across the face of goal rather than over the line.

The woodwork had barely stopped rattling by the time Ian Craney, impressive once more at the heart of midfield, worked a neat move with Robinson down the left, cut inside and shaved the crossbar with a powerful drive.

Crewe were on the rack, and Swansea did double their advantage midway through the first half after Marcos Painter played an intelligent ball down the left touchline for Fallon to chase.

When Baudet stumbled as he attempted to cover, the big targetman had time to look up and pick out Trundle at the near post.

The 30-year-old did the rest, taking one touch to control once more before spinning and smashing a volley across the face from a tight angle.

Once more the post was shaking, but this time the ball cannoned into the net.

Despite their team's dubious new strip, 750 travelling fans were chorusing a White Christmas.

The natives, meantime, were jeering as Crewe struggled to keep in touch.

Gradi's side did muster a couple of sighters before the break, but Gueret saved the best of them - a 20-yarder from Welsh international David Vaughan - with relative ease.

No doubt there were a few stern words in the home dressing room at the interval.

But whatever Gradi said, it did not have the desired effect, as Swansea made it 3-0 barely a minute into the second half.

Trundle won a corner with a deflected shot and, when Craney's flag-kick sailed over the ailing Tomlinson and beyond the far post, he was there again to steer the ball back into the danger area.

Almost unchallenged, Lawrence headed home his fourth goal of the season with little fuss.

In what was fast becoming their most impressive away performance of the campaign, Swansea were completely on top.

Yet the home side snatched a lifeline out of the blue just before the hour when two of their highly-rated forwards threatened for almost the first time.

Nicky Maynard's 20-yard shot was saved by a stretching Gueret, but Luke Varney reacted quicker than any Swansea defender and stroked the rebound into the empty net.

A contest which had appeared to be over was suddenly alive.

Their belief renewed, Gradi's men piled forward in search of a second. First Gary Roberts headed wide, then Maynard volleyed over from point-blank range after another combination with Varney undid Swansea.

At the other end Robinson dragged wide, then made up for it by scampering into the clear after Maynard's cross-shot was only parried by Gueret.

Now it was Swansea wobbling, Alan Tate surviving a loud appeal for handball as Crewe sensed an unlikely comeback.

By now O'Leary had entered the fray for Craney - Jackett fearing perhaps that the on-loan Accrington man could collect a second booking - and Bayo Akinfenwa arrived in place of Fallon for the last 16 minutes of what was no longer such a smooth ride.

But Crewe's revival slowed, and it was Swansea who came closest to another goal before the end.

First Akinfenwa rolled a shot just the wrong side of the post after a stirring run, then Robinson forced a fine stop from Tomlinson after Leon Britton picked out his run.

No matter, victory was sealed. It is now just one defeat in 10 matches for Jackett's improving side.

Crewe 1 Swansea City 3 - Richard of Warwick

A good professional performance today with the points never in doubt really although we did have to withstand some pressure from Crewe in the second half.

The difference between the teams today was Trundle who looked sharp, up for it, and for the first time in a while, deadly.

Two very well dispatched goals but unfortunately his best effort, a quick turn and shot from outside the box after typical chest control, cannoned off the inside of the post and then away to safety. But it was his day today, so well done.

And then a very valuable third from Lawrence again who seems to have the knack of finding the ball at his feet in front of goal, although this time the ball was on his head

The third came right at the start of the second half so Kenny must have given an inspired team talk. Go on, laugh. you won't hear that again

Crewe deserved their goal following good close play from their midfield and forward two. Had their shooting been better we could have had a nervous time but in the end we held it comfortably enough.

So now on to 'uddersfield where Jackson's hold seems to be slipping.

How many would we have to score to make Jackson do a Tinnion.
Now there's a thought to keep you warm until the end of the week