Swansea City head coach Luke Williams reckons he’s unearthed a jewel in the club’s new goal hero, Ronald.

The Brazilian winger scored twice to earn the praise of head coach Williams following the club’s crucial 2-1 victory at Sunderland.

The win meant the Swans remain four points clear of the relegation zone, a margin that would have been narrowed to a single point had they lost on a day when three of the clubs below them all won.

January signing Ronald scored a first-half double and celebrated both with Cristiano Ronaldo-style celebrations as Mike Dodds’ first game as Sunderland’s interim boss ended in defeat.

The visitors could have been out of sight after a one-sided first-half display but Ronald’s double – the 22-year-old’s first goals since joining from Brazilian club Gremio in January – was enough as Swansea got back to winning ways after two home defeats.

“Ronald deserved both the goals,” said Swansea boss Williams, “and I think he has probably deserved one or two more key actions – assists in previous games.

“He was a huge threat today. He is so quick and direct so I am really happy for him.”

Ronald ought to have had an assist at Sunderland when he crossed for Przemyslaw Placheta, only for the Poland international winger to blaze over from close range.

“I think maybe I’m a bit of a dinosaur these days, a bit of a throwback, but I love to see these type of actions,” Williams added.

“For Pzemy and Ronald, there is a lot of high-intensity work to get behind these backlines and then to steady themselves and deliver into the box.

“Josh Tymon as well joined in the attack and put some fantastic balls in. I like that – I am really happy to see that.

“The first half in particular was strong. I think we were good value for the result.

“We have been seeing some really good performance markers in games, but it’s difficult when the result is negative. We felt we were improving bit by bit and today is a big step forward.

“We need now to try and improve so that we can control longer periods of the game.

“The opposition was brilliant in the second half and put us under a lot of pressure, but on the flip side I saw the team defending well.”

Ronald –who celebrates goals with Cristiano Ronaldo-style leaps into the air – insists there are more to come.

“When I signed, my aim was to be happy myself and to also make the fans happy and I think everyone is happy after this game,” said Ronald.

“I want to keep improving and I am hungry for more goals.

“I work hard for the team, and I have been very well welcomed by the fans, by the staff and my teammates.

“I’m going to work hard to continue building confidence and improving. These two goals have helped build my connection with the fans, but this is just the start, I’m going to keep working hard for them.”

The winger scored the opener as he put away the rebound after Liam Cullen had seen his header saved, while his second saw him produce a wonderful first touch and volleyed finish from a Joe Allen pass.

“I’m very happy with the performance and the two goals,” he added.

Captain Matt Grimes also had praise for Ronald and believes the South American and Polish wide player Przemyslaw Placheta have added an injection of pace since they came into the team in last month’s transfer window.

“He’s been great, he is class and he really does give us another dimension,” said the midfielder.

On the victory at Sunderland which had followed back-to-back home defeats, Grimes added: ““It was a class day, and a brilliant win,” said Grimes.

“It’s been a tough run of fixtures, so to come away from home and perform as we did, says a lot about the lads.

“We wanted to be on the front foot, we have worked hard all week and I think we will only get better and better.”