Swansea City 2-1 Sunderland: Cooper and Darling strikes hand Russell Martin's side fourth successive win

Swansea City made it four successive Championship wins for the first time in more than three years as they defeated Sunderland 2-1 in south Wales.

Ollie Cooper and Harry Darling both struck in the opening half of the contest at the Swansea.com Stadium, although Sunderland improved and pulled a goal back through Jack Clarke.

But Russell Martin's men held on to clinch all three points and cement their grip on sixth spot in the league standings having won three fixtures in a week for only the second time under the current coaching staff.

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Following two energy sapping away tests, Martin freshened up his starting 11 for the visit of the Black Cats and made four changes to the side that played from the outset against Watford on Wednesday night.

Joel Latibeaudiere, Darling, Cooper and Luke Cundle came in for Matty Sorinola, Kyle Naughton, Olivier Ntcham and Michael Obafemi who all dropped to the bench. There were no signs of fatigue as the Swans started on the front foot. They created two big chances inside the opening stages as Jay Fulton's driven strike from a Ryan Manning corner was blocked before Ben Cabango was unable to stoop to head goalwards moments later.

Swansea oozed confidence in possession and maintained the impressive levels of intensity that have seen them charge up the league standings in recent weeks. It ensured Sunderland had precious little opportunity to threaten, with Patrick Roberts firing wide from a swift counter in what was a rare opening for the visitors.

Cundle was then denied by Anthony Patterson after Fulton won possession high up the pitch, but the pressure was mounting as the Swans buzzed around the pitch. And they extended