Goals from Matt Grimes from the penalty spot and close-range second-half finishes from Azeem Abdulai and Žan Vipotnik after the break sealed a comfortable victory for the home side.
The Swans had come into the game looking to bounce back from their disappointing 1-0 EFL Championship defeat to Middlesbrough last weekend.
A midweek 3-1 Carabao Cup win over League Two Gillingham on Tuesday night would have given Luke Williams’ side confidence, but ahead of the south Wales derby next weekend against Cardiff Williams would know it would be crucial for the Swans to get their league campaign up and running with a positive result.
The Swans boss chose to make two changes to his opening day lineup with Ronald coming in for his first league start on the wing, whilst Ollie Cooper was handed the chance to impress in midfield. Jay Fulton and Abdulai both dropping to the bench.
In their way stood a Preston side managerless after the departure of Ryan Lowe following the Lilywhites 2-0 defeat to Sheffield United last time out. A sixth second-tier defeat in a row without scoring stretching back to the back end of last season one too many for the Lancashire sides owners to swallow.
Looking to push the early tempo in the late summer sunshine, the Swans would start the better of the two sides as Ronald would fashion an early effort at former Swan Freddie Woodman in the Preston goal.
The visitors high press would break momentum but it would be Williams’ side who would play positively on the front-foot in the final third to hold the lion’s share of possession.
With spaces starting to open on the flanks, Josh Tymon would gain space on the left-hand side to deliver a weighted ball to the back post to Ji-Sung Eom. The South Korean cushioning a header to the penalty spot where fellow new signing Gonçalo Franco would fashion a spectacular scissor-kick narrowly over the Preston crossbar.
In decision would at times be the Swans downfall. Poor decision-making nearly leading to Preston opening the scoring at the half’s midpoint.
Forward Emil Rees’ press putting Josh Key under pressure in possession with the former Exeter full back losing possession to Robbie Brady. The midfielder’s one-two with Rees would be slick, however, the finish from the former Hull City player would lack power and direction to trouble Lawrence Vigouroux in the Swansea goal.
It would be the Swans though would open the scoring from the penalty spot five minutes before the break out of nothing. Eom chasing a lost cause on the right-hand side managing to send a ball toward goal but would strike the raised arm of a Preston defender.
After consultation with his assistant, referee Stephen Martin would award the home team a spot-kick where captain Grimes would make no mistake in drilling the ball low and hard into the bottom right-hand corner.
The Swans would start the second-half as they finished the first 45 minutes, on top and looking the more likely of the two sides to effect the scoreboard. A slick piece of interplay between Franco, Eom and Cullen seeing Ronald free in space in the penalty area. The Brazilian’s low shot narrowly passing the post.
Playing with zip and purpose in spells Eom would be next to come close. A thumping strike from 20-yards sizzling just over the crossbar to the satisfaction of the home faithful.
The Lilywhites though would still be very much in the contest at just a goal behind and would have their moments. Harry Darling putting in a tremendous block to divert Rees’ goal-bound effort from inside the penalty area, whilst Vigouroux would deny Ryan Ledson.
The Swans, however, would take control of the match on the hour mark and double their lead. Cullen showing good work-rate to keep the ball in on the left before squaring to Cooper. The Welsh international midfielder’s strike would be then diverted past Woodman by Abdulai for his second in as many games.
The game was then sealed ten minutes from time for Williams’ side with substitute Vipotnik getting off the mark for his new club to add gloss the the scoreline. The Slovenian international having the simplest task to prod home Ronald’s cut back from close range.
Swansea’s new number nine almost added a fourth in stoppage-time but it wouldn’t matter to the Williams and his Swansea team would gain their first league win of the season.
Swansea City X1
Lawrence Vigouroux, Josh Tymon (Nathan Tjoe-A-On), Josh Key (Kyle Naughton 64), Harry Darling, Ben Cabango, Matt Grimes (captain), Gonçalo Franco (Jay Fulton 64), Ollie Cooper, Ji-Sung Eom (Azeem Abdulai 58), Ronald, Liam Cullen (Žan Vipotnik 64).
Preston North End X1
Freddie Woodman, Ben Whiteman (captain), Liam Lindsay, Emil Riis (Milutin Osmajic 63), Mads Frokjaer (Duane Holmes 71), Robbie Brady (Sam Greenwood 63), Jordan Storey, Andrew Hughes, Ryan Ledson (Jeppe Okkels 64), Stefan Thordarson, Brad Potts.
[Lead image: Swansea City FC]
