Swansea forward Jamal Lowe's early goal was his fifth of the season
Swansea maintained the pressure on the top two in the Championship with a 2-0 win over in-form Barnsley.
Jamal Lowe put the hosts ahead after only 76 seconds, firing home from close range as Barnsley failed to clear.
The visitors applied plenty of pressure but Victor Adeboyejo's own goal from a Swansea corner ended their resistance.
Barnsley, who had more possession than the hosts, could not make it count and the result sees them slip to 13th while Swansea rise to third.
Swansea boss Steve Cooper was looking for a response from his side after a one-sided defeat to Derby County in midweek, though that came off the back of the Swans' fantastic south Wales derby performance in their 2-0 win over Cardiff City.
However, they knew they would be in for a tough contest against a Barnsley side who had won 12 points from an available 15 in December under Valerien Ismael.
Neither side were helped by a pitch in such a poor state that it was ripped up immediately after the final whistle, with the hosts especially unable to play their usual passing game - especially as the rain lashed down.
The previous three encounters between these sides had ended in draws, but with the hosts unbeaten in their past 11 league games. The Tykes who had lost seven and failed to win any of their last nine visits, with their last win coming at the Vetch Field in 1974.
The Swans have made the Liberty Stadium a fortress this season, unbeaten in their past six games with five clean sheets, so it was no surprise to see them race into an early advantage as they opened the scoring after just 76 seconds.
The goal was simple enough, with Yan Dhanda heading the ball into the penalty area where Ben Cabango headed towards the back post for an unmarked Lowe to finish comfortably.
It was the only clear chance in the opening 30 minutes with Alex Mowatt testing goalkeeper Freddie Woodman with a free-kick for the visitors and Matt Grimes working Jack Walton with his own set-piece after Walton was booked for fouling Dhanda.
Lowe's clever play almost created a chance for Connor Roberts, but the ball just evaded the Wales international as the first half petered out, with Barnsley showing plenty of endeavour but little quality in the final third.
Encouragement for the visitors was the fact that no side has won more points from losing positions in the Championship this season than Barnsley and they had the first effort of the second half, but Conor Chaplins's shot was blocked.
Lowe twice went clear after smart passes by Grimes, but Walton denied him and then the angle did as the former Wigan forward flashed across goal, prompting Barnsley to make a triple substitution as they chased parity.
However, it was one of the substitutes, Adeboyejo, who doubled the hosts' advantage when he headed Grimes' corner into his own net midway through the second half.
Barnsley continued to huff and puff and look to build pressure, but the meanest defence in the Championship held firm again, having conceded only 12 goals in 20 games.
- Line-upsMatch StatsLive Text
Line-upsSwansea
- 1Woodman44Cabango2Bennett5Guehi23RobertsBooked at 90mins6Fulton8Grimes24Bidwell21Dhanda10A Ayew9Lowe
Substitutes
- 3Manning7Smith13Benda14Gyökeres15Routledge20Cullen22Latibeaudiere31Cooper45Palmer
Barnsley
- 1WaltonBooked at 29mins26Sollbauer30Helik6Andersen7Brittain32JamesSubstituted forPalmerat 71'minutes27MowattSubstituted forKaneat 82'minutes22Oduor28FrieserSubstituted forMillerat 57'minutes9WoodrowSubstituted forAdeboyejoat 57'minutes11ChaplinSubstituted forThomasat 57'minutes
Substitutes
- 8Kane16Thomas19Schmidt21Palmer25Miller29Adeboyejo34Moon40Collins
Referee:Andy DaviesMatch StatsHome TeamSwanseaAway TeamBarnsleyPossessionHome47%Away53%ShotsHome6Away6Shots on TargetHome2Away1CornersHome4Away6FoulsHome10Away11Live TextPost update
Match ends, Swansea City 2, Barnsley 0.
90'+5'Full Time
Second Half ends, Swansea City 2, Barnsley 0.
90'+5'Post update
Attempt missed. Herbie Kane (Barnsley) right footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the left from a direct free kick.
90'+4'Booking
Connor Roberts (Swansea City) is shown the yellow card for hand ball.
90'+4'Post update
Hand ball by Connor Roberts (Swansea City).
90'+3'Post update
Luke Thomas (Barnsley) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
90'+3'Post update
Foul by Jay Fulton (Swansea City).
88'Post update
Offside, Barnsley. Clarke Oduor tries a through ball, but George Miller is caught offside.
86'Post update
Attempt missed. Jake Bidwell (Swansea City) right footed shot from outside the box misses to the right following a corner.
85'Post update
Corner, Swansea City. Conceded by Michal Helik.
85'Post update
Attempt blocked. Jamal Lowe (Swansea City) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
84'Post update
Attempt missed. Jake Bidwell (Swansea City) left footed shot from the centre of the box is too high. Assisted by Jay Fulton with a cross.
82'Substitution
Substitution, Barnsley. Herbie Kane replaces Alex Mowatt.
82'Post update
Foul by Michal Helik (Barnsley).
82'Post update
Jamal Lowe (Swansea City) wins a free kick on the right wing.
79'Post update
Attempt missed. Victor Adeboyejo (Barnsley) right footed shot from the left side of the box is too high. Assisted by Clarke Oduor.
75'Post update
Victor Adeboyejo (Barnsley) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
75'Post update
Foul by Ben Cabango (Swansea City).
73'Post update
Mads Andersen (Barnsley) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
73'Post update
Foul by André Ayew (Swansea City).
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Source: bbc.com