Ryan Manning's stunning second-half strike earned Swansea City their first win of 2022 against Preston North End.
The first half at the Swansea.com Stadium was relatively even, although Russell Martin's men turned on the style after the restart.
And Manning struck gold six minutes after the break as Swansea ended their run of five games without a win while keeping a first clean sheet since beating Barnsley 2-0 on November 24.
Martin went with the same 11 that started the 1-1 draw at Huddersfield Town seven days earlier as new signing Hannes Wolf was listed among the substitutes.
Buoyed by the returning Jack Army, Swansea started on the front foot as Matt Grimes sent in a teasing cross towards Cyrus Christie early on.
They harassed the Lilywhites at every opportunity, and after a scuffed clearance from Daniel Iversen, Olivier Ntcham charged down on goal but was only able to fire into the side netting.
Ryan Lowe's side carved out a decent opening soon after though as Tom Barkhuizen lifted the ball to Ched Evans whose header was expertly tipped over by Ben Hamer.
That scare did not phase the Swans who continued to show real patience in possession.
A slick move involving Grimes, Ntcham and Joel Latibeaudiere led to Grimes firing over from the edge of the box.
Hamer got away with a loose pass just a minute later though as Daniel Johnson could only volley wide after intercepting the goalkeeper's ball to Flynn Downes.
Swansea were calling for a penalty midway through the opening half as Latibeaudiere went down under a challenge from Alan Browne, although referee Joshua Smith waved away those appeals to ensure the home side's wait for a spot-kick this season was extended.
The game swiftly petered out as neither side was able to gain full control of the contest, with Joel Piroe failing to get a shot on goal after being played through by Ntcham as the score remained level at the break.
Head coach Martin clearly recognised the game was there to be won, and he handed Wolf his debut from the outset for the second half - with Ntcham making way.
Whiteman curled an effort just wide shortly after the restart, but Swansea broke the deadlock in stunning fashion six minutes into the second half.
Manning strolled goalwards from distance, and after Preston failed to close down the Republic of Ireland international, he unleashed a piledriver beyond Iversen to give Swansea the lead.
It was a moment of individual brilliance that helped to spark the game into life, with Iversen palming away Christie's driven effort following a swift Swans counter attack moments later.
The Fulham loanee continued to grow in confidence and was unlucky not to be able to find a team mate in the Preston box following a rampaging run forwards.
He then curled an effort inches wide after once again cutting on to his left foot as Preston sent on former Swan Scott Sinclair for Joe Rafferty.
But it was the home side who continued to impress, with Iversen making a fine save to palm away another long-distance strike from Manning before Wolf was denied by the Danish goalkeeper.
The confidence was flowing through the Swans' veins, although Piroe was unable to convert Wolf's cross after the Preston defence were caught napping - although the offside flag came to their rescue anyway.
The Dutchman was duly replaced by Kyle Joseph who led the line for the remainder of the contest as the visitors attempted to cause problems having been outplayed in the second half.
Jay Fulton replaced Christie late on, and - after Ryan Ledson missed late on - Swansea sealed what will undoubtedly prove to be a morale boosting victory ahead of successive away games at Queens Park Rangers and Hull City before the January 31 transfer deadline.
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Swansea City: Hamer; Cabango, Naughton, Manning; Christie (Fulton 84), Downes, Grimes (C), Latibeaudiere; Ntcham (Wolf 46), Smith; Piroe (Joseph 74).
Subs not used: Fisher, Bennett, Obafemi, Walsh.
Goal: Manning 51
Yellow cards: Manning 12, Latibeaudiere 88
Preston North End: Iversen; van Den Berg, Bauer, Cunningham; Rafferty (Sinclair 64), Browne (C), Whiteman (Ledson 84), Johnson, Barkhuizen (Olosunde 35); Riis, Evans.
Subs not used: Ripley, Lindsay, McCann, Maguire.
Yellow cards: Cunningham 64, Evans 88, Bauer 90+1
Referee: Joshua Smith
Attendance: 16,842
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90+3
It's launched into the Swansea box, and Ledson's shot is deflected behind by his own player.
90+1
Hannes Wolf is brought down just outside the box on the left wing.
Patrick Bauer is booked.
89
Some very interesting calls from the referee in the last few minutes.
Jack Army not happy.
87
It's all kicked off here. A right old scuffle in the box between around 15 players.
85
Swansea earn a goal kick.
Five minutes left. Preston have improved. Swansea need the ball.
81
Into the final 10 minutes, and Preston have come back into it in the last 10 minutes without really troubling Ben Hamer.
1-0 still.
79
Great dogged work from Joseph, and Wolf comes in to help.
Swansea have been on it in this second half. You just have to hope that one goal is enough at the moment.
Top defending from Naughton as Riis broke, too.
76
Whiteman's shot is blocked.
Swansea break, and Joseph looks to be fouled, but no free-kick is given.
74
Wolf squares it to Piroe who is denied by Iversen.
He was offside anyway. Piroe is replaced by Joseph.
73
Korey Smith elects to cross instead of shooting from the edge of the box.
Waste of a chance.
71
Preston's defence goes to sleep, but Grimes' cross is well blocked.
Piroe then concedes a foul.
70
Sexy football from Swansea!
But Korey Smith can't find anyone with his cross.
That was lovely play from Smith, Grimes and Downes. And Christie too.
68
Hannes Wolf tries to curl an effort into the top corner, but Daniel Iversen makes the save.
64
Christie has been excellent in the second half, and he's fouled.
Cunningham is booked.
63
Another wonderful attack from Swansea, Christie cuts inside and curls an effort just wide.
Scott Sinclair comes on for Joe Rafferty.
62
Swansea get a tad fortunate as Johnson slices the ball out of play for a goal kick.
59
A brilliant run forwards from Cyrus Christie who can't pick out a team mate with his pass.
Very unlucky.
56
Ben Cabango with another block to deny Riis this time. Preston corner.
It's curled into the Swansea box, but Piroe heads clear.
54
Brilliant defensive work from Wolf to win possession back.
Swansea counter, and Christie drives a shot goalwards, but Iversen makes the save!
This place is rocking now.
