Ronald’s first goals for Swansea City marked a superb away performance and secured a vital three points against Sunderland at the Stadium of Light.
The Swans dominated the first half, with Ronald breaking the deadlock by slotting home a rebound after a fluid team move, before doubling his tally with a clinical volley at the end of a rapid counter-attack.
Despite their dominance, Swansea could have been further ahead by halftime. However, they held on for the win even after Luke O’Nien pulled one back for Sunderland with a header.
Head coach Luke Williams had urged his players to lay down a marker for the rest of the season, and they did exactly that with an impressive display on Wearside, which the head coach described in his post-match reaction as the best 45 minutes of his tenure so far.
While Ronald grabbed the headlines, players like Joe Allen, Ben Cabango, and Kyle Naughton were outstanding in a solid team effort.
Naughton celebrated his 300th appearance for the Swans, marking an impressive nine years in the club’s colours.
The Swans made two changes from their previous match, with Liam Cullen and Przemyslaw Placehta stepping in for Jerry Yates and Ollie Cooper.
The Swans return to SA1 next Saturday, when Blackburn Rovers are the visitors to the Swansea.com stadium.
Team Lineups
Sunderland: Anthony Patterson, Jobe Bellingham, Luke O’Nien (captain), Nazariy Rusyn (Luis Hemir 72), Abdoullah Ba (Chris Rigg 72), Jenson Seelt, Dan Neil, Callum Styles (Romaine Mundle 60), Trai Hume, Leo Hjelde (Adil Aouchiche 85), Pierre Ekwah.
Unused Substitutes: Nathan Bishop, Timothee Pembele, Mason Burstow, Caden Kelly, Thomas Lavery.
Swansea City: Carl Rushworth, Ben Cabango, Joe Allen (Jay Fulton 63), Matt Grimes (captain), Jamie Paterson (Jerry Yates 63), Josh Tymon, Przemyslaw Placheta, Liam Cullen (Charlie Patino 78), Nathan Wood, Kyle Naughton (Harry Darling 89), Ronald (Ollie Cooper 89).
Unused Substitutes: Andy Fisher, Mykola Kuharevich, Charles Sagoe Jr, Filip Lissah.
Referee: Keith Stroud
Attendance: 41,777
Match Highlights
Watch extended highlights of the Swans victory at the Stadium of Light.
Feature Image Credit: Swansea City Football Club