Swansea City climbed off the bottom of the Premier League with a vital and comprehensive victory over fellow strugglers Sunderland.
After an edgy goalless first half in sodden conditions, Gylfi Sigurdsson’s calm penalty put the Swans ahead and eased the tension inside the Liberty Stadium.
Sigurdsson’s clever corner set up Fernando Llorente for their second, and the Spaniard headed in a late third to give Bob Bradley a precious second win as manager.
Swansea are now out of the relegation zone and up to 17th place, while Sunderland replace them at the foot of the table.
The result is a setback for David Moyes’ visitors, who had won three of their previous four matches.
For Swansea, meanwhile, a third victory of the season is a significant lift having endured their worst start to a season in any division since 1983.
Turning point for Bradley?
Despite being the newest appointment in the Premier League, Bradley was already under pressure having won only one of his first seven games in charge.
In the build-up to this match, the American had said he was not concerned about his future but admitted this game was the most important of his tenure.
Bradley made five changes from Swansea’s previous outing, a shambolic 5-0 thrashing at Tottenham, and his alterations were vindicated.
The Swans were calmer in possession with Angel Rangel at right-back and captain Leon Britton restored in midfield, while Llorente’s recall gave their attack a much-needed focal point.
The hosts shaded an uneventful first half but it was not until the early stages of the second that they truly took control of the game, scoring two goals in a three-minute period which could prove to be a turning point in their season.
After Sigurdsson’s penalty gave Swansea the lead following Jason Denayer’s handball, the Iceland midfielder was at the heart of the action moments later, as his low corner found Llorente, whose sweeping finish sparked ecstatic celebrations.
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