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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. " Comments can not be loaded To load Comments you need to enable Java Script in your browser Last Updated 10th December 2024 at 22: 07 Please Note: All times UK. Tables are subject to change. The BBC is not responsible for any changes that may be made. Manager: Wayne Rooney Formation: 4 - 2 - 3 - 1 Manager: Luke Williams Formation: 4 - 2 - 3 - 1 Manager: Wayne Rooney Formation: 4 - 2 - 3 - 1 Manager: Luke Williams Formation: 4 - 2 - 3 - 1 Championship All competitions All competitions All competitions Plymouth Argyle have won just one of their last six league games against Swansea City (D1 L4), though that sole win came in their most recent match against the Swans in February earlier this year (1-0). Swansea City are unbeaten across their last three away league games against Plymouth Argyle (W2 D1), and could record four successive undefeated such matches against the Pilgrims for the first time since 1938. Swansea have won both of their last two midweek (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday) league games, last winning three in a row in November 2021. Plymouth boss Wayne Rooney has only won one of his four Championship meetings with Swansea (D1 L2), with that being his first with Derby in December 2020 (2-0). Plymouth’s Andre Gray has scored five goals in his last six league appearances against Swansea City, the most recent of which coming in May 2022 for QPR. Match ends, Plymouth Argyle 1, Swansea City 2. Second Half ends, Plymouth Argyle 1, Swansea City 2. Offside, Plymouth Argyle. Callum Wright is caught offside. Zan Vipotnik (Swansea City) is shown the yellow card. Myles Peart-Harris (Swansea City) is shown the yellow card. Fourth official has announced 4 minutes of added time. Ronald (Swansea City) wins a free kick in the defensive half. Foul by Adam Randell (Plymouth Argyle). Foul by Zan Vipotnik (Swansea City). Lewis Gibson (Plymouth Argyle) wins a free kick in the defensive half. Attempt saved. Ryan Hardie (Plymouth Argyle) header from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Attempt blocked. Bali Mumba (Plymouth Argyle) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Kornél Szucs. Foul by Myles Peart-Harris (Swansea City). Darko Gyabi (Plymouth Argyle) wins a free kick on the left wing. Myles Peart-Harris (Swansea City) wins a free kick in the defensive half. Foul by Brendan Galloway (Plymouth Argyle). Ben Cabango (Swansea City) wins a free kick in the defensive half. Foul by Brendan Galloway (Plymouth Argyle). Foul by Ronald (Swansea City). Adam Randell (Plymouth Argyle) wins a free kick in the defensive half. © 2024 BBC. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.