First half strikes from Žan Vipotnik and Liam Cullen had put the home side in the ascendency in an assured first-half display against one of the teams expected to be in the promotion shake-up come May.
The Swans, though, would squander their advantage, crucially conceding on the stroke of half-time to defender Dan Ballard’s effort.
The visitors improved vastly in the second period and dominated proceedings, sending warning shots before Daniel Neil’s screamer sent the away support into raptures. A third goal wouldn’t take long to go in as Jobe Bellingham’s strike 90 seconds later would knock the stuffing out of the Swans who failed to make a further impact on the scoresheet with Sunderland worthy winners come the full time whistle.
A strong performance in midweek saw the Swans move up to ninth place in the table, winning 2-1 at Home Park against struggling Plymouth Argyle. Jay Fulton and Cullen scoring either side of the break to earn Luke Williams’ side a vital three points in their pursuit of a play-off placing.
Just five points off the top-six, next up for the Swans would be early Championship pace-setters Sunderland.
One win in the last eight matches, however, has slowed the promotion charge for Régis Le Bris’ visiting side, who had slipped to fourth position in recent weeks. A midweek 1-1 against Bristol City in Wearside, the sixth time in that run, the Mackems would be locked level with their opposition.
With one defeat in the last ten against the north-east outfit, the Swans would go into the match with confidence as Williams would look for his team to pick up a first win against a top-six side this season. The Swans boss would make three changes as they looked to extend their four-match unbeaten run.
Regulars Gonçalo Franco, Vipotnik, and Ronald all returning to the starting XI after being rotated in midweek.
It would be the home side who would start the brighter of the two sides and would take an early lead. Ronald’s free kick would only be half-cleared by the Sunderland defence before Vipotnik would be first to react to volley home from six-yards.
With the visitors shell-shocked, the Swans almost doubled their lead minutes later. Cullen finding space on the edge of the area to strike a low effort towards the bottom right-hand corner. Sunderland goalkeeper Anthony Patterson would though make a tremendous diving stop to tip the ball around the post.
It wouldn’t be long though before the Swans would double their lead on the quarter-hour mark, and it would be a goal of the highest quality.
Miles Peart-Harris would show some clever footwork to draw a foul to win a free kick just outside the penalty area, before Wales striker Cullen would step up and bend a sublime effort up and down over the wall and into the top corner via the crossbar with Patterson well beaten.
The visitors would probe and have a spell of possession before mustering a goal back of their own. The Swans, this time slow to clear gifting the time for Ballard to pick his spot from 12-yards.
Despite threatening an equaliser the Swans would nullify the visitor’s potent attacking threats and could even have extended their own if Miles Peart-Harris had made more of an opportunity just before the break. It would be a strong half for Williams’ men who would hold onto their slender lead at the break.
In a breathless contest, both sides would look to play the ball around making for an entertaining dual. Sunderland would be fastest out of the blocks in the second period a slick pass through the channel would find Patrick Roberts whose control would be perfect. The former Celtic and Man City forward finish not so as the ball would rise high over the crossbar with the Swansea goal at his mercy.
Roared on by a vocal home support the Swans would be resolute as they would face an onslaught of offense from the Mackems who would enjoy the lions share of possession in the Swansea half. Eliezer Mayenda the latest to come close but once more would not threaten Vigouroux.
The sustained pressure would tell and Sunderland would make no mistake with their next opportunity. An equaliser of Premier League standards as Neil would drive in a solo effort from 25 yards.
Things would go from bad to worse for the Swans, who looked stunned as Bellingham would then flip the contest on its head. Sunderland’s playmaker stealing a march on the Swansea Centre halves to fire home from close range.
The Swans would battle hard to get back into the contest, but would struggle to gain a foothold on Le Bris’ side who could and should have wrapped things up late with Mayenda squandering further chances.
It would be a disappointing end to a match where a strong first-half showing for Williams’ side looked to have earned at least a point. Swansea, though, would be beaten and drop back into midtable, whilst Sunderland further strengthened their promotion ambitions.
Swansea X1
Lawrence Vigouroux, Josh Tymon, Josh Key, Harry Darling, Ben Cabango, Matt Grimes (captain), Gonçalo Franco, Myles Peart-Harris (Eom Ji-sung 72), Ronald, Liam Cullen, Žan Vipotnik (Florian Bianchini 72).
Sunderland X1
Anthony Patterson, Trai Hume, Dennis Cirkin (Luke O’Nien 70), Chris Mepham, Dan Ballard, Daniel Neil (captain), Jobe Bellingham, Eliezer Mayenda, Chris Rigg, Patrick Roberts, Wilson Isidor.
[Lead image: Swansea City FC]
