Sunderland 2 - 0 Swansea City

Two fine goals in either half saw Sunderland leapfrog Swansea in the Barclays Premier League as the Black Cats' excellent run of form under Martin O'Neill continues.

The men from Wearside have now banked 16 points in eight games since O'Neill's arrival and produced two finishes of the highest quality to sink a Swansea side who brought their trademark passing game to the party.

The Black Cats might have seen chances go begging at Chelsea in their previous outing but they were right on the money in front of goal this time to move decisively back into the top ten.

Stephane Sessegnon opened the scoring from an acute angle early on to nose Sunderland in front before Craig Gardner stepped off the bench to score a spectacular second late on.

Sunderland seem to be re-establishing their dominance on home turf - this was their third win in four outings at the Stadium of Light, during which time they have conceded just two goals.

Swansea had the better of the possession for long periods - particularly in the first half - but couldn't make Sunderland pay as the hosts were rewarded for their defensive solidity, calmness under pressure and, ultimately, their ability to take chances.

Brendan Rodgers' City arrived on Wearside on a high and the game had all the makings of an intriguing encounter with both teams ranked amongst the division's most in-form outfits.

The hosts almost claimed an opening goal after just five minutes, Seb Larsson striking the base of the post with a stinging volley after McClean picked him out with a deep cross.

But O'Neill's men were disrupted by injury after just 12 minutes, with Nicklas Bendtner being forced off following a kick to the head to be replaced by the returning Connor Wickham.

Riding high on a five-match unbeaten run, Swansea could have been ahead soon afterwards.

Nathan Dyer scampered down the right and his low cross was touched on by Danny Graham beyond Phil Bardsley for the incoming Scott Sinclair, who blazed high and wide with the goal at his mercy.

The Swans' profligacy was punished by Sessegnon, who produced a moment dripping with quality to give the hosts the lead just before the quarter-hour.

The little winger from Benin produced some lovely interplay with McClean, pulling off two slick one-twos either side of some lovely skill to beat a Swansea player in close attention.

Seemingly forced wide, there seemed little available for Sessegnon, who delved deep into his box of footballing tricks and clipped a curling shot from a tight angle over the head of a stranded Michel Vorm and into the far top corner of the goal.

The strike brought the Stadium of Light to its feet and further enhanced Sessegnon's growing reputation as very much the straw which stirs the drink for Sunderland.

Swansea stuck to their guns, though, and could have been level with the half-hour mark approaching when Graham snuck around the back to nod Gylfi Sigurdsson's cross over the top.

Former Reading man Sigurdsson then fired narrowly wide from the edge of the box and then saw a low shot gathered by Mignolet as the Swans looked to make the most of their possession.

Sunderland held firm through late pressure in first-half stoppage time and had to be on their guard against futher forays early in the second period.

Mignolet was quick to claim at his near post after Brown deflected Dyer's cross goalwards, while the Belgian then did well to beat out Sigurdsson's 58th-minute free kick.

But Sunderland almost doubled their lead with 14 minutes remaining; Sessegnon heading McClean's cross just past the post after Wickham's deft touch released the Irish flyer.

That chance set the scene for a fascinating final 10 minutes, with Wickham blasting off target from 12 yards for Sunderland and Swansea's Sinclair blazing over from the edge of the box with a clear sight of goal.

Again the miss was to prove costly as Sunderland wrapped up their third league win of the month of January with a fine goal from sub Gardner five minutes from time.

The midfielder was given plenty of room to meet a Sessegnon pass and he looked up before raking a fine lofted shot over the head of a stranded Vorm and into the far corner.

It was fitting that such a super goal proved to be the final act on an afternoon when fine finishing proved to be the decisive factor.

Sunderland: Mignolet, Bardsley, Richardson, Brown, O'Shea, Larsson (Elmohamady, 89), McClean, Cattermole (C), Vaughan (Gardner, 79), Sessegnon, Bendtner (Wickham, 12).
Subs Not Used: Turner, Dong-won, Meyler, Westwood.
Booked: None.
Sent Off: None.


Swansea: Vorm, Rangel, Caulker, Taylor, Williams (C), Dyer, Sinclair, Britton (Routledge, 78), Allen, Sigurdsson (McEachran, 66), Graham.