Russell Martin saw promotion-chasing Southampton equal a 102-year record with a 5-0 victory over his former club Swansea.

Ryan Fraser netted a brace while Joe Aribo, Samuel Edozie and Che Adams also struck to help Saints extend their unbeaten run to 16 matches, their longest stretch without a league defeat since the 1921/22 season.

Southampton, who were watched by owner Dragan Solak ahead of the January transfer window, moved up to third and are only four points adrift of the Championship automatic-promotion places.

It would have been bittersweet for Martin, who managed the Swans in 99 fixtures before switching to Saints last summer.

Swansea had started strongly. Jerry Yates met a Ben Cabango pass from a deep free-kick but fired high and wide on the slide in the second minute.

Then Bashir Humphreys found Jamal Lowe in acres of space at the back post but his attempted side-footed strike ballooned off target.

They were quickly made to pay for their lack of killer instinct as Aribo opened the scoring in the 17th minute, his first goal for 451 days, when he netted against Everton in the Premier League.

Edozie had smartly jinxed his way to the by-line before cutting back to Stuart Armstrong. The midfielder’s shot was blocked but it fell to the Nigeria international who fired in via the post.

Swansea are a rare Championship side Adam Armstrong has failed to score against, and he had two good first-half chances to remedy that.

Firstly, his effort was too tame and central to beat Carl Rushworth after a Kyle Walker-Peters pull back, before properly testing the keeper with a left-footed strike destined for the bottom corner.

Saints consolidated their lead three minutes into the second half but were indebted to a rush of blood from Rushworth to give Edozie a tap-in.

The Brighton loanee swung wildly at Nathan Wood’s back pass, missed and winger Edozie was free to back heel in for goals in back-to-back home matches.

The goal was met with chants of “get out of our club” by Swansea fans as they continued to make their displeasure at their American owners known.

Substitute Fraser made sure of the Saints victory when he curled into the top corner after Adam Armstrong had quickly turned over the ball and played it to the Scot.

Sekou Mara was a toe from sliding in a fourth before Rushworth had to bat away Walker-Peters’ near-post blast.

Fraser crashed into the roof of the net after Mara had played him in and Adams powered in after a Fraser cross to make it four and five – with 310 minutes elapsing since Saints last conceded a goal.

Swansea manager Alan Sheehan urged his players to take confidence from a first home win since October as they edged a late 2-1 Championship victory at home to Preston.

Jamie Paterson completed his brace in the fifth minute of second-half stoppage-time to end Swansea’s run of seven home games without a win and deny North End a valuable away point after Liam Millar cancelled out Paterson’s opener.

As a result, Swansea – who have yet to appoint a permanent successor to Michael Duff – climbed four places to 15th in the table, while interim manager Sheehan has now taken seven points from five games in charge.

“We’re delighted with the win. We haven’t been good enough at home or got enough points but after the playing well and losing against Middlesbrough last time out, tonight was just about doing enough to win the game,” said Sheehan.

“We weren’t fluent with our performance by any stretch. We tried to play it through, looking for the perfect goal but it broke down each time.

“Preston are physical and try to ram it down your throat which we have to deal with. They came to make it hard for us and sometimes you’ve just got to grind it out and two moments of absolute quality from Jamie Paterson won us the game.

“We need to build confidence, resilience and a desire to win from this. When you win and have things to work on then that’s good. It wasn’t pretty but we got the job done and took a valuable three points.”

Preston continued their dramatic slide in form and slipped to ninth, with just one win from their last seven games.

They at least looked to have taken a point from their travels after substitute Millar cancelled out Paterson’s opener with a well-taken curling effort.

However Alistair McCann gave away possession inside his own half to gift Paterson the late winner.

Preston manager Ryan Lowe said: “I’m disappointed and gutted that we just couldn’t see it through to get what would have been a good point.

“I thought we were well worthy of the draw. It was a battling performance, nothing amazing and we dug in.

“We knew Swansea would dominate possession because that’s what they do but we handled their pressure well for long periods but individual errors have cost us.

“We played sideways instead of forwards for the second and left the man unmarked in the box for the first.

“It was disappointing because we had got ourselves right back in the game with a great goal and I felt we were in the ascendency.

“The players have character and effort but there were two lapses of concentration for the goals.

“I have to take responsibility as the manager, I know that and I have to lift myself first because I feel that I’m letting people down and I don’t like doing that.

“We could do with a bit of luck and to get that we need to keep working hard and digging in.”

Jamie Paterson scored an injury-time winner to hand Swansea their first home win in eight games and deny Preston a valuable away point following a narrow 2-1 Championship result.

Neither side could have complained with sharing a draw as a game of little inspiration ticked into added time at Swansea.com Stadium.

Liam Millar had earlier cancelled out Paterson’s first effort before with two brief glimpses of class.

However Alistair McCann gave away possession inside his own half and Swansea at last found a clinical edge as Jay Fulton released Paterson, who struck the winner in the fifth minute of second-half stoppage-time.

Swansea climbed four places to 15th in the table as a result, while Preston continued their dramatic slide in form and slipped to ninth.

Alan Sheehan had been told he would be in charge of Swansea over the Christmas period as the club continues to search for a long-term replacement for Michael Duff.

However the interim manager had urged for clarity over the vacancy, having taken four points from his previous three games in charge.

Sheehan named the same starting XI beaten by Middlesbrough, while Preston counterpart Ryan Lowe made six changes to the side thrashed 5-1 by Watford last time out.

That included a first league start for former Swansea goalkeeper Dai Cornell, who spent six years with his hometown club without playing in the league.

Cornell was first to be pressed into a save when he denied Jamal Lowe from close range following Josh Key’s smart cut back from the right.

Preston, with just one win in six, were limited to a long-range effort from Robbie Brady though should have done better with Duane Holmes’ counter-attack, if not for Alan Browne’s heavy touch.

Harry Darling went close to finishing a sweeping team attack but Swansea’s frustration grew amid the stalemate with Matt Grimes, Lowe, Ben Cabango and Paterson all booked in the space of eight minutes.

Preston’s cause was not helped by losing Brady to injury before half-time, replaced by Millar, though Ched Evans brought a decent save from Carl Rushworth early in the second half.

But it was Swansea who scored first when Grimes found Paterson free on the edge of the box and the striker swept his right-footed shot beyond Cornell.

That prompted a swift response from Preston, who levelled the scores just six minutes later.

Evans attacked deep on the right before Millar gathered the ball on the left, steadied himself and stepped inside Darling to curl his effort beyond Rushworth.

Millar came close to an almost carbon copy second just moments later but this time the Swansea goalkeeper tipped the shot past the post.

Swansea defender Cabango missed a free header in front of goal from a free-kick and the game looked destined for a draw before Paterson struck again in added time to clinch maximum points.

Michael Carrick admitted he had not planned Middlesbrough’s winner at Swansea after home goalkeeper Carl Rushworth was punished for picking up Harry Darling’s back pass.

Substitute Samuel Silvera smashed home a 77th-minute free-kick from just a few yards out, breaching Swansea’s wall of defenders on the goal-line.

“It’s a strange one. I’ve not seen it for a long time,” said Middlesbrough manager Carrick, who recalled his former Manchester United team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo once scoring in similar circumstances at Old Trafford.

“It certainly doesn’t mean it’s a guaranteed goal because it’s not easy to find a way through.

“It was quite interesting to what the lads came up with because it’s not something you see often and therefore we haven’t planned for it. I’ll hold my hands up to that.

“But two of the younger boys (Silvera and Morgan Rogers) have been smart enough and said, ‘This is my moment, I know what I’m going to do’. That pleases me even more.”

Carrick insisted it was “definitely a back pass” and said he appealed for the free-kick on the touchline, adding that Boro deserved to end their three-game losing streak.

Sam Greenwood, on loan from Leeds, fired the visitors in front two minutes before the break, with Jamal Lowe heading Swansea level near the hour mark.

Carrick said: “I’m delighted with the boys for their effort and the spirit to get through a game like that where it didn’t come easily for us.

“It wasn’t a naturally free-flowing performance. We’ve had them recently and not won, so to do so this time feels good.

“There was a feeling before the game actually with the boys about finding a way to win and having that winning feeling. Sometimes you have those games where you have to find a way.”

Swansea caretaker manager Alan Sheehan felt it was a “brave call” by referee Matthew Donohue to punish Rushworth 13 minutes from time.

“It was a crazy decision, whether it’s right or wrong it’s a big call,” Sheehan said.

“Is it an interception or a back pass? Carl Rushworth is one of the best keepers in the league with the ball at his feet, so for him to think he can pick it up tells me enough.”

This was Sheehan’s third game in charge and Swansea hope to appoint a permanent successor to Michael Duff before Friday’s home game against Preston, with Tottenham coach Chris Davies their preferred candidate.

“I’m more proud now than I was against Stoke (1-1 draw on Tuesday),” Sheehan said. “This was a step in the right direction, maybe two steps.”

Middlesbrough ended a run of three consecutive Sky Bet Championship defeats with a 2-1 victory at Swansea achieved in strange fashion.

Substitute Samuel Silvera struck the 77th-minute winner, whipping home a close-range free-kick after Swansea goalkeeper Carl Rushworth had been penalised for picking up Harry Darling’s back pass.

Middlesbrough led at the interval through Sam Greenwood’s composed finish, but Jamal Lowe equalised to give Swansea hope of only a third home league win this term.

Alan Sheehan took caretaker charge for the third time, with Swansea still hoping to appoint Tottenham coach Chris Davies as Michael Duff’s permanent successor.

Swansea had picked up four points from Sheehan’s two games, while Middlesbrough boss Michael Carrick was seeking to arrest a decline that had brought four defeats from their last five games.

The vast majority of first-half chances fell Swansea’s way, with the hosts dominant in the early stages.

Unfortunately for Swansea, many of them fell to defenders, with Middlesbrough goalkeeper Seny Dieng grateful for their wastefulness.

Darling, fresh from his late midweek equaliser at Stoke, strode forward to ripple the side-netting and the unmarked Josh Key headed over from eight yards.

Liam Walsh soon swung over another delicious cross which Bashir Humphreys beat Dieng to, only to plant his header wide with the goal gaping.

There was brief discomfort for Swansea – and Rushworth in particular – when the goalkeeper fell heavily under Emmanuel Latte Lath’s challenge and needed treatment before being able to continue.

Further evidence of Swansea’s profligacy in front of goal came midway the first period.

Josh Tymon sent Lowe scampering into the channel behind Dael Fry and the Jamaica forward took his time to pick the right pass, squaring to Walsh whose effort went inches wide.

Middlesbrough bared their teeth for the first time as Matt Crooks set up Greenwood and his shot forced Rushworth into action at his near post.

The deadlock was broken two minutes before the break after a spell of patient passing from the visitors.

Crooks moved inside from the left to spot Greenwood’s run and a fine left-footed finish gave the on-loan England Under-21 international his fifth Middlesbrough goal.

Swansea were not deflated by falling behind and Jamie Paterson fired wide before the equaliser arrived after 59 minutes.

Tymon found space down the left to deliver a fine cross and Lowe met it with power from six yards out to give Dieng no chance.

Isaiah Jones almost restored Middlesbrough’s lead after charging through from his own half.

But Rushworth’s error allowed Morgan Rogers to tee up fellow substitute Silvera for the winner and Boro survived the stoppage-time loss of Dieng to injury to hold on for a much-needed victory.

Paul Gallagher is unsure if he will remain in caretaker charge of Stoke for the weekend trip to West Brom but said it was a privilege to manage the Potters in the 1-1 draw against Swansea.

Daniel Johnson’s second-half penalty looked to have given Stoke their first win in seven Championship games but Harry Darling, who conceded the spot-kick, headed home as full-time neared to give the Swans a share of the spoils.

Gallagher took charge against the Swans following the sacking of Alex Neil in the aftermath of the loss to Sheffield Wednesday.

And he felt Stoke’s players gave everything and deserved all three points against the Swans.

He said: “I’m not sure. I’ll just take it day by day, but what I will say is it’s been a real privilege to do a caretaker job at this fantastic football club.

“I’ve been fortunate enough to play for this football club and I know the demands that supporters have and all the staff. I thought the players took it to a tee and I’ve really enjoyed it. It’s been a privilege.

“One thing I’ll say is one only had 24 hours to prep the team and we changed the shape.

“They stuck to it. I can’t ask for anything more. I think the work-rate, their application, the fight for each other was excellent. A little lapse of concentration at the end cost us three points, which I thought we deserved really.”

Swansea caretaker Alan Sheehan is unbeaten in two games in charge and believes the qualities his side displayed in both encounters bode well.

He said: “I felt that we started the game off OK, I felt we never really played the football that we wanted to play. It never flowed and became a frantic game, end-to-end, it didn’t suit us.

“They made five changes and they swarmed all over us at times and our quality let us down. But I’m very proud of the character and the resilience, the way that we hung in there.

“We were sloppy at times, we understand that and we need to get better.

“Were we at our best? No way, we’ve got a lot of work to do on the training ground and I understand that, but character, resilience, everything we talk about from today and Saturday, that’s what good teams are built on.

“He (Darling) gave away a penalty, it happens, it’s life, you make mistakes, but the best way to respond to a mistake is go and putting it right and that’s what he did.”

Swansea came from behind to claim a late point in a 1-1 draw at Stoke in the Championship.

Daniel Johnson’s second-half penalty looked to have given Stoke – who sacked Alex Neil over the weekend after the loss to Sheffield Wednesday – their first win in five games.

But Harry Darling, who conceded the earlier spot-kick, headed home as full-time neared to give the Swans a share of the spoils.

With both clubs currently under caretaker charge, the Potters entered the clash sitting 20th and two points from the drop zone, while Swansea sat six places ahead of their opponents with three more points.

Stoke goalkeeper Jack Bonham half cleared an awkward backpass and was fortunate Swansea’s Jerry Yates was unable to make the most of it in the opening five minutes.

Josh Tymon lashed wide from outside the box after 10 minutes for the Swans and Joshua Key cut inside from the right shortly after to cross for Yates, who almost made contact from close range as the visitors started brightly.

Stoke’s Ryan Mmaee squandered the chance to take aim on the quarter hour from close range, before Lyndon Gooch burst forward from left-back to test Swansea’s Carl Rushworth.

Mmaee forced Rushworth into action with a big one-on-one chance after 20 minutes and Junior Tchamadeu’s follow-up was blocked as the hosts began to threaten.

Swansea responded through Jay Fulton’s fierce drive which rose over the bar as the half-hour approached.

Luke McNally made a vital headed clearance ahead of the lurking Yates after Key’s excellent work down the right flank 10 minutes from the break.

Tchamadeu blasted wide after drifting infield from the right wing early in the second half, before Johnson forced Rushworth into action and tipped over his fierce strike after the hour.

At the other end, Key got in behind Stoke’s defence and found a free Jamie Paterson who took aim but Ki-Jana Hoever made a vital block before Bonham collected.

The Potters won a penalty when Darling brought down Mmaee in the box and Johnson coolly rolled home to give the hosts the advantage with 20 minutes left.

Tchamadeu sought Stoke’s second soon after but his effort flew off target and Michael Rose’s later header looped over.

Mmaee stabbed just wide after Tchamadeu headed across the face of goal in the closing stages as Stoke looked to have sealed the three points.

But following Swansea substitute Liam Walsh’s deflected free-kick, from the resulting Matt Grimes corner, Darling nodded home at the back post as full-time neared to remedy his earlier error.

Rose nearly netted a late Stoke winner, but his stoppage-time header from Bae Jun-ho’s corner bounced into the ground and over.

Swansea’s interim head coach Alan Sheehan felt pride as his team earned a 2-1 win against 10-man Rotherham.

Sheehan was taking charge of the Welsh club following Michael Duff’s dismissal earlier this week.

And they got off to a winning start thanks to goals from Charlie Patino and ex-Rotherham player Jerry Yates.

The Millers were down to 10 men with just 17 minutes played when Daniel Ayala was shown a second yellow card for needlessly hauling down Yannick Bolasie, but managed to get back level through Sam Nombe before Yates won it.

Sheehan said: “I’m so proud of the players, staff and the whole football club. The support I’ve had from everybody has made that possible.

“We have stood up to a physical team. I think if we had been more clinical it could have been easier. We needed that second goal.

“They score from a long throw. They’re a big physical team and we had to football our way out of it.

“We got the win. It has been a very difficult week and an emotional week. The overall feeling is pride.

“We always look for perfection but we will take progress.

“We went with an attacking team because we wanted to come here and win the game.

“It felt good (to be in the dugout). To come away and get three points in the Championship is never easy.”

Rotherham are believed to be close to appointing Leam Richardson as their new boss following the dismissal of Matt Taylor last month.

Wayne Carlisle was in the dugout for his fourth game in temporary charge. Defeat saw them drop to the bottom of the Championship.

Carlisle said: “Some of the big decisions, that is where the game hinges and it turns, went against us. But I can’t fault the lads’ effort.

“Later in the game we started pushing them back and putting them under pressure.

“I thought we started really brightly. But if we go in at 0-0 at half-time we would have been able to restructure. Two big decisions have cost us.”

Carlisle was upset by the second yellow for Ayala and felt it was a handball for the opening goal.

He added: “I think a certain amount of discretion should be exercised. It looks like it is a handball.

“You can say it’s Rotherham and these things go against us but we need to change that mentality.

“I have really enjoyed being sat at the front of it but I’ve had great support from the staff and the players. It’s because I’ve had good people around me.

“The players are bitterly disappointed but come Monday morning they will have picked themselves up. You can’t be too down about just one result.”

Rotherham academy product Jerry Yates came back to haunt his former club as he grabbed the winner in Swansea’s 2-1 victory.

Defender Daniel Ayala was sent off for the Millers after 17 minutes and that changed the complexion of the game, with Swansea eventually taking full advantage to secure all three points.

The game saw two interim bosses in charge, with Rotherham believed to be closing in on the appointment of Leam Richardson.

Wayne Carlisle took charge of his fourth Rotherham game following the dismissal of Matt Taylor, while Alan Sheehan was in the dugout for the Swans after the sacking of Michael Duff.

Christ Tiehi was first to force a save in the match as he latched onto a long throw and connected with a strong half-volley which goalkeeper Carl Rushworth was able to gather.

Rotherham were dealt a blow in the 17th minute when Ayala was shown a second yellow card for blatantly fouling Charlie Patino.

Swansea looked to make the most of the extra man and Yannick Bolasie came close to putting them ahead as he met Jay Fulton’s cross to the back post.

Keeper Viktor Johansson had to deny Jamal Lowe with a strong save after the striker had closed down Cohen Bramall’s attempted clearance.

Swansea continued to threaten before the break and Harry Darling should have done better as he rose highest at a corner only to head straight at Johansson.

The Sweden international was called into action again as he had to palm away Fulton’s vicious shot from distance.

Johansson then clawed out Lowe’s header superbly, but he could do nothing to prevent the opener a minute into added time when a cross from Jamie Paterson was deflected in by Patino.

Rotherham’s protests over a handball were ignored by referee Josh Smith.

The Welsh side looked to put the game to bed early in the second half and it was a stinging effort from Darling which first troubled Johansson.

Instead it was the Millers who levelled after 64 minutes, with Sam Nombe tucking home after Hakeem Odoffin had gone up for a flick on.

Darling again threatened at the other end as he headed on target from Matt Grimes’ corner.

Swansea went back ahead in the 73rd minute with Yates able to lash home after Lee Peltier failed to get enough on Josh Key’s centre.

Rushworth was called into action in stoppage time as he pushed Georgie Kelly’s header over the crossbar.

Michael Duff admitted he would not shy away from criticism after being booed following Swansea’s late 1-1 Championship draw with Huddersfield.

The Terriers took the lead after just three minutes as Ben Cabango turned Jaheim Headley’s cross into his own net.

Swansea dominated after conceding early on but struggled in the final third until Arsenal loanee Charlie Patino netted in the fourth minute of second-half stoppage-time to earn his side a point.

But many home fans jeered Duff after the full-time whistle, with Swansea now winless in five matches.

“They (fans) are showing their frustration,” said Duff. “I think in the cold light of day, they’ve watched the same game as us.

“We haven’t won enough games at home, we get that.

“I can make all the excuses in the world but you have to win. That’s part of my job.

“You get clapped when you win and you get booed when you don’t. It is what it is.”

On the draw, Duff added: “We dominated the game, there’s no doubt about that. If we play that game 10 times, I think we win nine with the numbers we had in terms of possession, shots, opportunities – everything.

“We talked in the week about giving poor goals away and they have done nothing to score a goal. That makes it doubly difficult.

“But we have had ample opportunities to go and win the game.”

Huddersfield looked on course for back-to-back victories for the first time under Darren Moore until Patino’s late leveller.

But the draw means they have claimed five points from the nine on offer since the recent international break.

And while disappointed to concede late on, Moore believes his side are heading in the right direction.

“What I am pleased with, over the three games this week after the international break, to take five points against the calibre of teams we’ve played, taking into consideration the travel, then I’ve got to be pleased,” he said.

“I said to the boys two weeks ago, the work we did in the international break, this will carry you through the next three games.

“It shows the work we’ve done as a group and it shows we’re heading in the right direction.

“Performances have been more solid and resolute. They’re staying in the game longer and being harder to beat.

“We know we’re still short in areas. We know there’s a progress going on at the moment at the football club, both on and off the pitch.

“We need to keep focused and keep churning away and getting those points on the board.

“It would have been great to take the three points today but when we look at the course of the week, to take five points out of those games is credit to the team.”

Charlie Patino’s injury-time equaliser earned Swansea a late 1-1 Championship draw with fellow strugglers Huddersfield.

The Terriers looked on course for back-to-back wins for the first time under Darren Moore after defender Ben Cabango turned into his own net from Jaheim Headley’s cross in the third minute.

The Swans dominated after that early setback and created numerous openings – with Jay Fulton, Yannick Bolasie, Harry Darling and Cabango among those to have chances.

And Arsenal loanee Patino slotted home in the fourth minute of second-half stoppage-time to nick the Swans a point in dramatic fashion.

The Terriers made a dream start as Headley capitalised on Matt Grimes’ error before charging up the left flank and his somewhat speculative cross was turned into his own net by Cabango.

It swiftly set the tone for the remainder of the contest as Swansea dominated possession, although Cabango and Jamie Paterson were both unable to hit the target as Chris Maxwell was untested.

Liam Walsh – on his first start of the season – drilled straight at goalkeeper Maxwell from 25 yards out to register the game’s first shot on target in the 33rd minute, such had been the lack of attacking quality on show.

Huddersfield desperately struggled to get out of their own half and – when they were presented with a decent opening – Sorba Thomas’s free-kick was comfortably gathered by Carl Rushworth.

Fulton’s shot was well smothered by Maxwell after slick play between Walsh and Paterson, but the Terriers almost doubled their lead on the stroke of half-time completely against the run of play when Headley crossed to Danny Ward, although the striker – on his 250th outing for the club – headed straight at Rushworth.

Michael Duff made a triple change at the break, with Bolasie replacing Liam Cullen to make his home debut, while Jerry Yates and Darling came on for Bashir Humphreys and Kyle Naughton respectively.

The hosts instantly carried a greater threat, with Yates unable to get a shot away after intercepting Yuta Nakayama’s loose pass.

Bolasie then took down Grimes’ crossfield pass on his chest before unleashing a volley over as Swansea continued to boss proceedings.

Duff could have been forgiven for fearing the worst when Matty Pearson was fortunate not to turn Jamal Lowe’s cross into his own goal, and Bolasie’s drilled effort was then deflected wide.

Darling headed over before his swerving strike was kept out by the legs of Maxwell as Huddersfield’s rearguard was tested to the limit.

Grimes and Patino had tame efforts either side of substitute Delano Burgzorg’s chance in the final stages.

But Swansea broke Huddersfield hearts in added time as Patino coolly slotted the ball beyond Maxwell to make it 1-1.

Swansea could have won it a minute later, although Darling header over as the points were shared, with Duff’s side now winless in five games.

Leeds boss Daniel Farke saluted his side’s “ice-cold” finishing in their 3-1 win over Swansea at Elland Road and said there was more to come.

Goals from Joel Piroe and Dan James, both against their former club, sandwiched another clinical effort from Georginio Rutter as Leeds kept pace in the Championship automatic-promotion race.

Farke’s side had fallen behind to Jamie Paterson’s excellent finish inside the opening minute, but hit back in style to make it seven wins in their last nine league matches.

Farke said: “Efficiency is a topic we always speak about, but the way we scored these three goals was outstanding.

“I can’t criticise my offensive players today too much in terms of their performance and how they created the chances and the way they scored the three goals. It was great today.

“My gut feeling is we can still improve our effectiveness, but we also had some iced-cold finishes today.”

Leeds extended their unbeaten home league run to nine games this season and Farke felt all three of his goalscorers showed excellent technique in dispatching their chances.

“When I think about the finish of Joel Piroe, also Georginio’s fantastic second goal, also Dan James’ with his weaker left foot, it was a perfect first touch at high speed and perfect finish,” the former Norwich boss added.

“We’re on the right path in many ways, but it’s also not the time to feel too comfortable and too proud of ourselves.

“The next difficult opponent already awaits on Saturday (Middlesbrough at Elland Road) and we have to make sure we are ready again and finish in the same manner, if not better.”

Swansea remain 18th in the table, seven points above the bottom three, after winning only one of their last seven league matches.

But they created problems for Leeds on the counter-attack before Rutter’s strike in first-half stoppage time quelled their fire and manager Michael Duff said the hosts’ forward line made all the difference.

Duff said: “A disappointing evening in terms of the result, but I thought the performance was really good. In the first half I thought we were excellent.

“We conceded poor goals at poor times, but we asked the players to show personality and bravery and we played through them a lot.

“Ultimately we’ve been undone by Premier League quality. The first goal, (made by Crysencio) Summerville is obviously very good.

“It’s not an excuse, but sometimes you’ve got to hold your hands up, the one-two he played and the pass for Joel. We know all about Joel.

“The pass and the touch (by Rutter) for the second goal and even the third goal, the weight of (Rutter’s) pass was perfect.”

Leeds maintained their pursuit of the Sky Bet Championship’s top two with a 3-1 win against Swansea at Elland Road.

In a breathless start, Leeds had already had a goal disallowed when Jamie Paterson gave Swansea a first-minute lead, but Daniel Farke’s side hit back to level through Joel Piroe against his former club three minutes later.

Georginio Rutter fired Leeds ahead in first-half stoppage time and former Swan Dan James added their third just after the hour-mark.

Leeds leapfrogged West Brom back into third place by extending their unbeaten home record this season to nine matches and have now won seven of their last nine.

After a minute’s applause before kick-off for Terry Venables, who died on Sunday aged 80, the game exploded into action.

Leeds were celebrating inside the opening minute when James converted Rutter’s cross, but the Wales forward was ruled offside and seconds later Swansea scored.

Leeds skipper Pascal Struijk made a hash of his header back to Illan Meslier following Josh Key’s long punt forward and Paterson stole in to clip a brilliant finish over the stranded Leeds goalkeeper from the edge of the area.

The home side’s response was immediate. Crysencio Summerville played a neat one-two with Glen Kamara and threaded a killer pass through for Piroe to side-foot into the bottom corner.

It was the Dutchman’s ninth goal in total this season, two of them scored for Swansea in the League Cup in August before his switch to Elland Road later that month.

Leeds fans sang a pre-planned tribute to their former number 11 Gary Speed in the 11th minute – the 12th anniversary of his death was on Monday – before their side’s appeals for a penalty when Sam Byram’s cross struck Key were waved away.

Summerville’s goalbound shot was saved by Swansea goalkeeper Carl Rushworth’s legs and the impressive forward was then denied by Jay Fulton’s last-ditch block as Leeds chased a second.

That came in first-half stoppage-time. Rutter raced on to Ethan Ampadu’s raking ball down the middle, held off Bashir Humphreys after a brilliant first touch and buried a left-footed finish into the bottom corner.

Summerville blazed over early in the second period as Leeds looked to extend their advantage and the third goal came in the 61st minute.

James ran on to Rutter’s deft pass inside the area after Byram’s thumping tackle and smashed home his fifth league goal of the season.

Patrick Bamford was a whisker away from adding a fourth from Summerville’s cutback and fellow substitute Jaidon Anthony headed just over in time added on.

Liam Rosenior feels Hull’s disappointment at not winning against Swansea having been two goals down proves how far his side have grown under his leadership.

Second-half strikes from Jaden Philogene and Tyler Morton cancelled out first-half efforts from Jamie Paterson and Jerry Yates as the Tigers fought back to clinch a point in south Wales.

And Rosenior says his side never felt out of the game, despite conceding twice in the opening 45 minutes.

“The first 15 minutes we started really well and they score with their first shot,” he said.

“When that happens, it rocks you a bit, especially when you’re that much in control.

“The second goal, Ryan (Allsop) has been magnificent, he is a massive part of our game, but he’s disappointed not to hold that one.

“To see the character, team spirit, resilience and quality the players played with after that, it gave the players confidence at half-time.

“It sums up where we are that we’re 2-0 down away from home and we’re disappointed not to win the game.”

Hull started on the front foot, and Swansea lost Harrison Ashby to injury in the 10th minute.

But Michael Duff’s men went ahead after a neat flick from Ollie Cooper found Paterson who cut inside Sean McLoughlin before drilling a low shot beyond Allsop in the 17th minute.

Just six minutes later, Hull goalkeeper Allsop spilled Paterson’s drive which allowed Yates to prod home.

The Tigers pulled a goal back through Philogene, whose rifled effort flew past Carl Rushworth three minutes after the restart.

Morton then volleyed home on 68 minutes to set up a tense finish, although neither side could find a late winner as the points were shared.

And Swans boss Duff bemoaned his side’s inability to manage the second half.

“Frustration is the word,” said the former Burnley defender.

“There was lots of good stuff in the first half, some good quality football, possession with purpose.

“We played through them and hurt them, I thought we were good value for the 2-0 lead.

“The second half, they score from the first attack which sucked the energy out of the team.

“Then we got stuck between a rock and a hard place, whether we get on the front foot as we did in the first half or we try to protect. In the end, we did neither.”

Meanwhile, Duff says he is hopeful of signing free agent Yannick Bolasie on a short-term deal.

The former Everton and Crystal Palace winger, 34, has trained with the club this week and could join ahead of Wednesday’s trip to Leeds.

“Yannick’s been in the building for a week. Hopefully that’ll get done,” said Duff.

“He hasn’t got the pace and power he once had, but you don’t get bought for £25m (by Everton) if you don’t know how to handle a football.

“It’ll be a two-month deal and we’ll see how it goes from there.”

Hull fought from two goals down to earn a 2-2 draw with Swansea in south Wales.

Jamie Paterson drove home his first league goal since March 2022 in the 17th minute before Jerry Yates pounced on Ryan Allsop’s mistake to double Swansea’s lead with his fifth goal of the campaign on 23 minutes.

Hull responded through Jaden Philogene whose thumping hit – his fourth in six outings – gave the visitors hope in the 48th minute, with Tyler Morton levelling on 68.

But a frantic contest ended level as Swansea’s winless home run was extended to four games while Hull kept themselves firmly in top six contention.

The Tigers started brightly while Swansea lost Harrison Ashby to injury.

But the hosts took the lead with their first real attack as Ollie Cooper delicately flicked Jay Fulton’s driven pass forward to send Paterson into space. The 31-year-old cut inside Sean McLoughlin before drilling a low shot past Allsop at the near post.

That opener gave Michael Duff’s troops a huge lift, and they created another opening through Cooper who crossed to Jamal Lowe, although the forward headed wide.

But they did get a second goal midway through the first half as Paterson rifled goalwards and it proved too hot for Allsop to handle. The Hull goalkeeper palmed the ball into the path of Yates who was alert to prod home from close range.

After Yates curled an effort wide, Hull regrouped, with Philogene and Jacob Greaves testing Carl Rushworth before Jean Michael Seri blazed over, although Swansea – who saw Paterson’s deflected strike fly just wide in injury time – withstood the pressure to lead by two goals at the break.

But Hull hit back shortly after the restart as substitute Cyrus Christie – against his former club – played in Philogene whose piledriver flew into the roof of the net.

The home fans grew increasingly nervy, and they remained on edge after seeing captain Matt Grimes drill over.

Hull thought they had levelled before the hour mark as Liam Delap chested Philogene’s cross into the net, although the effort was disallowed for offside.

Philogene then fluffed his lines as his scuffed volley from Jason Lokilo’s cross sailed over as the Tigers continued to push for an equaliser.

But they made it 2-2 midway through the second half as Christie found Liverpool loanee Morton who coolly volleyed beyond Rushworth.

Rosenior’s side looked the likelier to bag a winner, with Delap stinging the palms of Rushworth before Philogene blazed over from the follow-up effort.

Delap was again denied by Rushworth on the counter-attack after Liam Walsh had two efforts blocked at the other end, although neither side could nab a late winner as the points were shared.