LUKE Williams admitted his surprise at Sunderland's tactics and said his Swansea side would have been "lost" had they set-up to contain the home side rather than play to their own strengths.

In what was Mike Dodds' first game as interim head coach and with star man Jack Clarke absent, Williams admitted it was difficult to know how the Black Cats would look but rather than overthink it the visiting boss instead focused on his own side.

It worked. Sunderland started in a 3-5-2 shape out of possession, with left wing-back Callum Styles pushing forward into midfield when the home side had the ball, but the set-up backfired badly and Swansea threatened to run riot in the first half.

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Ronald's quickfire double proved enough for the visitors, who held off a spirited late fightback from Sunderland, who at least improved after the break.

And Williams was delighted he stuck to his guns in his approach.

"It's an interesting question in my opinion. We tried to concentrate on improving our performance as a team. That was the key focus for me," said Swansea's boss when asked if it was difficult to know how Sunderland would set up.

"Imagine if we set up a game-plan purely based on the opposition and they change everything today and we lost.

"We have to understand the opposition - it would be crazy not to - but at the same time we have to be excellent at our home game. We have to turn up and try to impose the game-plan on the opposition.

"Today was a good example of that. Had we developed a really strong game plan on what we think Sunderland were going to do, we'd have been lost today.

"They were different to what we thought. I tried to keep an open mind and give my players advice rather than tell them we'll do one thing then change everything.

"In my opinion for the players to go into a game with four different game plans depending on personnel and formation is taking away from them being able to have the confidence in something.

"They showed their confidence in their own game plan and style today and I think that's what got us the victory."

Williams was delighted for matchwinner Ronald, who scored his first goals since joining the club in January, and also hailed keeper Carl Rushworth who made a dramatic last gasp save to deny Anthony Patterson, who'd gone up for a corner.

He said: "Ronald deserved both the goals. He's deserved one or two more key actions in previous games. He was a huge threat today. He's so quick and direct and I'm really happy for him.

"Rushy is incredible. He'll be a top keeper. He'll be with us next season but after that I think he'll be a top Premier League keeper."