The Swans would pick up a much-needed victory on the road to starve off the Championship’s relegation-threatened chasing pack with Brazilian Ronald’s first-half double proving the difference between the two sides.
Luke O’Nien’s effort ten minutes from time made for a tense finale but it would be William’s side who would come out on top.
It would be a much-improved performance from the Swans, who picked themselves up from their 2-1 defeat against Ipswich last time out to claim all three points on Tyneside.
After a positive start, the Swans would take the lead in the 19th minute after Josh Tymon would find room on the left-hand side to deliver a teasing cross into the Sunderland penalty area finding Joe Allen.
The Welshman’s point-black header would be saved by home goalkeeper Anthony Patterson but would fall to the feet of Ronald who would slot home for his first goal for the club since joining in January.
It wouldn’t take the away side long to double their advantage after former Liverpool midfielder Allen’s lung-busting run and cross-field pass would see the midfielder then pick out the Brazilian once more.
Ronald taking a touch before drilling low into the bottom left-hand corner to the jubilation of the travelling Jack Army behind the goal.
The winger would give both opposite number Callum Styles and centre-half Leo Hjelde the run around all afternoon and could have put the game to bed before half-time.
A well-worked Swansea move from the training ground ending in Paterson chipping a delightful ball over the top of the Sunderland defense finding Ronald whose sliding effort would just go wide.
Sunderland improved after the break with French midfielder Pierre Ekwah driving a powerful effort over the bar, before the Makems made inroads on the scoreline with ten minutes remaining.
Ekwah teasing a free kick to the back post, finding captain O’Nein to power home a bullet header past a helpless Carl Rushworth.
It would leave a tense finale with Rushworth called into action to deny Sunderland keeper Patterson’s dramatic later header deep into stoppage-time, but the Swans would hold on to the delight of their manager.
“To come here it’s a really intimidating place. To dominate the first 45 minutes was encouraging,” said Williams.
“I’m so happy for him [Ronald], I think he deserves that. I think he will run and leave everything on the pitch, and we know now that he is creative and can score goals.
“He comes off the pitch with blood on his shirt and a plug up his nostrils. He scored two wonderful goals today.
“I want the players to celebrate these beautiful moments with the fans.
“We have to capture what was good from today and make sure it isn’t a one-off by increasing the amount of time we stay in control of games.
“It will take hard work but hopefully the fans who made this long journey and the people back at home who will watch the game or highlights and will see the work the players are doing on the training pitch.”
[Lead image: Swansea City FC]
