January signing Ronald scored a first-half double for Swansea as Mike Dodds’ first game as Sunderland’s interim boss ended in a 2-1 defeat.
Dodds impressively led the Black Cats to two wins from three games during a stint in charge in December after Tony Mowbray’s dismissal and was handed the reins until the end of the season after Michael Beale’s sacking earlier this week.
But the home side were outplayed by Swansea, who eased their relegation woes with a deserved win that moved Luke Williams’ side four points clear of the drop zone.
The visitors could have been out of sight after a one-sided first-half display but Ronald’s double – the 22-year-old’s first goals since joining from Gremio in January – was enough as Swansea got back to winning ways after two home defeats.
Luke O’Nien gave Sunderland hope late in the second half but the Black Cats couldn’t force a leveller. The Black Cats have now lost three games on the bounce and their play-off hopes are fading fast.
Swansea headed for Wearside having won only one of their previous seven Championship games but threatened to run riot in a dominant first half, with Ronald’s quickfire double putting the visitors in complete control.
The Brazilian opened his account after 19 minutes when he was on hand to tap in a rebound after Anthony Patterson initially kept out a Liam Cullen header.
His second was a superb finish, taking down Joe Allen’s through ball with a neat first touch before lashing low beyond Patterson.
It could have been much worse for the hosts.
Ronald fired wide at full stretch after a sublime Allen pass and fellow winger Przemyslaw Placheta could have had a hat-trick himself.
He somehow blazed over from just six yards, hit the post with a close-range header and had a shot from the edge of the area deflected just wide.
At the other end, Sunderland offered next to nothing, their only two shots on target in the first half being tame Abdoullah Ba and Nazariy Rusyn efforts that were easily saved by Carl Rushworth.
There was a bit more purpose to the home side’s play early in the second half and Pierre Ekwah went close with a curling strike from distance that shaved the top of the crossbar before Ba flashed a dangerous drive across the face of goal.
Sunderland halved the deficit 13 minutes from time when O’Nien headed in an Ekwah cross from the left.
They almost levelled in dramatic circumstances when Patterson went up for a corner and forced a superb save by Rushworth deep in stoppage time.
Let's start our Daily Laugh today. Gyokeres vs Madueke EPL teams vs PSG This would be so funny BELIEVE it or NOT - Italy will be playing in a CRICKET WORLD CUP before they play in a FOOTBALL WORLD CUP! IMAGINE someone told you just a Year ago that Ousmane Dembele would WIN The Ballon d'Or before Kylian Mbappe & Erling Haaland! Lionel Andres Messi is The First Player EVER in MLS histor...
Former Liverpool forward Carroll joins sixth-tier side in EnglandFormer Liverpool and Newcastle striker Andy Carroll has officially joined Dagenham & Redbridge in the National League South, which lies in the sixth-tier in England.Fenerbahce eye PSG duo after securing Duran and BrownAccording to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, Fenerbahce are in talks with Paris Saint-Germain over deals for Mar...
WHAT HAPPENED?According to a report from Marca, Konate has already told the Liverpool leadership that he wouldn't mind leaving the club this summer, as long as Real Madrid make an offer for him. The Premier League champions are seriously considering cashing in on the Frenchman — who is into the final year of his contract at Anfield — amid fears that they might lose him for free next su...
Tottenham Hotspur are now plotting a surprise move for the Bayern Munich midfielder Joao Palhinha.Spurs need more midfield qualityAccording to GMS, they are looking to find out how much it would take to sign the Portuguese international this summer. He has not been able to hit top form since joining the German club, and Palhinha has been linked with a return to the Premier League.According to repo...
According to recent reports, former United defender Alvaro Carreras is on the cusp of joining Real Madrid. United had a buy-back clause that will expire in 2026, following the Spanish full-back's initial transfer to Benfica after a successful loan period with the Portuguese giants.As per Fabrizio Romano, Benfica has confirmed that it won't activate the clause included in Carreras' transfer deal to...
John Terry delivers verdict on Chelsea's title hopesChelsea legend John Terry believes his old side need some experience and have some way to go if they want to win the Premier League title.Chelsea secured a fourth-placed finish and won the Europa Conference League in 2024-25 with the youngest squad in the Premier League.Enzo Maresca’s side have carried that fine form into the new-look FIFA ...
Toni Kroos weighs in on Xabi Alonso's biggest problem at Real MadridReal Madrid legend Toni Kross has weighed in on what he believes is new manager Xabi Alonso's biggest concern ahead of the new season.Alonso’s side were dumped out of the Club World Cup in humiliating fashion, losing 4-0 to a PSG side that never really had to get out of first gear.Kroos, 35, believes the sides lack of defens...
Javier Tebas offers reason behind Barcelona's failed Nico Williams pursuitLa Liga president Javier Tebas as weighed in on why Barcelona ultimately failed in their pursuit of Athletic Club winger Nico Williams.The 22-year-old looked set to head to the Camp Nou before pulling out of the deal at the last minute and signing a massive ten-year deal with Athletic.It’s since been reported that Will...
Juventus eye shock move for SECOND unwanted Man United forwardJuventus have reportedly made Man United forward Marcus Rashford their priority target amid links with fellow wantaway star Jadon Sancho.The Serie A giants have been heavily linked with a move for Sancho, 25, following his return to Old Trafford from his loan at Chelsea.Several reports have suggested that United have accepted an offer o...
Al-Nassr eye move for AC Milan star Christian PulisicAl-Nassr have reportedly made AC Milan winger Christian Pulisic their new number one target as they continue their search for attacking reinforcements.According to journalist Rudy Galetti, the 26-year-old is the latest star to be linked with a move to the Saudi Pro League this summer.Al-Nassr are on the lookout for a new forward had have previou...
- 1 Lionesses captain Leah Williamson strips down to her underwear
- 2 Transfer news & rumours LIVE
- 3 New coach confirms Modric move to Milan
- 4 FIFA Club World Cup 2025: Fixture schedule, group standings, knockout round, tickets, format & everything you need to know
- 5 Bayern ready to rival Arsenal for Eberechi Eze and target move for Chelsea flop after losing Jamal Musiala to injury
- 6 From Maura to Maya, the stars show swimwear with sky-high cuts
- 7 Dominic Calvert-Lewin in talks with Newcastle as Man United circle
- 8 Marcus Rashford trains alone after returning to Man Utd for pre-season despite being given extra time off by Ruben Amorim to find new club
- 9 DAZN sports host nearly suffers wardrobe malfunction at CWC
- 10 Everton sign Villarreal striker Barry: The fans here are like crazy people, I like this!