Wayne Rooney's Plymouth Argyle are in the Championship relegation zone on goal difference
Swansea City increased the pressure on Plymouth Argyle as they held on for a 2-1 victory at Home Park.
Jay Fulton's composed finish put Swansea ahead at the end of a first half in which there had been little to choose between the sides.
Luke Williams' team looked to be in total control after doubling their lead when the in-form Liam Cullen turned the ball home from close range on the hour.
But Plymouth set up a tense finale when Mustapha Bundu, who had hit the woodwork in the first half, headed in on the rebound after Kornel Szucs' effort came back off the bar.
There was to be no late equaliser, however, as Plymouth fell to a third successive defeat.
Wayne Rooney's side remain in the Championship relegation places having won only one of their past 10 league games.
The mood is much brighter for Swansea, who are up to ninth in the table having become only the second visiting team to win at Plymouth this season.
This was a long-awaited return to action for Plymouth following their 4-0 defeat at Bristol City, with last Saturday's game against Oxford United called off because of Storm Darragh.
The Pilgrims made a change to their coaching staff over the weekend, with former Manchester United assistant boss Mike Phelan arriving to work alongside Rooney, while there were six alterations to the team which had started at Ashton Gate.
Yet they began like a team struggling for form, with Swansea on top and going close to an opener when Fulton could only turn Josh Tymon's cross wide of the target.
Plymouth did improve, almost taking advantage of some uncharacteristic Swansea sloppiness when Bundu's angled drive beat Lawrence Vigouroux but bounced to safety off the far post.
With that Swansea seized the initiative, as Fulton marked his fourth league start of 2024-25 with his first goal of the campaign.
Liam Cullen continued his fine form for club and country, having scored his first two goals for Wales in the win over Iceland last month
Once more the opportunity came from a Tymon cross, with Brendan Galloway's failed attempt to clear presenting Fulton with the chance to guide home from point-blank range.
Rooney needed a response, but it was Swansea whose sharpness increased as they doubled their lead.
When a patient spell of possession ended with an inviting cross from Myles Peart-Harris, Cullen reacted quicker than the home rearguard to steer in a third goal in his past five club games.
There appeared little prospect of a Plymouth comeback until Bundu claimed his third goal of the season after Adam Randell's corner was headed against the bar by Szucs.
That gave Argyle late momentum - and lifted the home crowd - but Swansea stood firm to extend their unbeaten run to four games and ensure more misery for Rooney.
Plymouth head coach Wayne Rooney:
"I felt first half we were the better team actually. I thought after 10 minutes we played some really good stuff. We had a few chances, a few half-chances, then we get hit with the sucker-punch of them scoring just before half-time.
"It's very disappointing because a lot of the stuff we have been working on over the last 10 days has been stopping crosses, but we allow the cross to come in too easily, a poor clearance and they score.
"Swansea are a good team and second half they start to put us on the back foot, then again for the second goal we had three players around the ball, we don't stop the cross and don't defend the box well enough.
"From there we get a little bit of momentum back. We pushed for the equaliser but just can't get it. It was an improvement on the last two games but tonight was about the result and we didn't get that."
Swansea head coach Luke Williams:
"The opposition were very aggressive, pretty much full-court press. The players handled that so well that they made it look comfortable, but I don't think it was as comfortable as it appeared.
"We started really well, then had a couple of sticky moments, then managed to get a foothold again and I am so happy for Jay [Fulton] because he is such a terrific guy who has been brilliant for the group.
"You can see why Plymouth [are hard to beat at home]. It speaks volumes for the group, the strength of character, to be able to go away from home and be able to win at tough places.
"I am very impressed with the group."
