Cardiff goalkeeper Alex Smithies cannot prevent Jamie Paterson's fourth goal of the season
Jamie Paterson inspired Swansea City to a thumping victory in the south Wales derby to pile the pressure on Cardiff City boss Mick McCarthy.
Paterson put Swansea ahead with one of the most memorable goals in the recent history of this fixture, flashing home a shot from 25 yards.
He then laid on goals for Joel Piroe and Jake Bidwell to secure Russell Martin's biggest result as Swans boss.
But it is now six straight defeats for the ailing Bluebirds.
The latest reverse - and the nature of it - is only like to add to speculation about McCarthy's future at Cardiff, who are just three points clear of the Championship relegation zone in 20th.
Swansea climb to 17th courtesy of only a third league win since Martin took charge in early August.
His side remain a work in progress, but this was the strongest indication yet that they are improving after a difficult start to the season.
Jamie Paterson opens the scoring with a spectacular long-range strike
Cardiff did not start the game like a team in such miserable form, although they were fortunate not to concede a third-minute penalty after Curtis Nelson's clumsy challenge on Ethan Laird.
Swansea struggled to get their passing game going in the early stages while Cardiff should have gone ahead when Ryan Giles latched onto Kieffer Moore's through ball only for Ben Hamer to save a tame shot.
- As it happened & reaction: Swansea City 3-0 Cardiff City
Moore then broke the offside trap before shooting straight at Hamer before Swansea dragged themselves into the contest in spectacular fashion.
There was a lovely touch and pass by Ryan Manning, who fed Paterson to centre for Piroe, whose point-blank shot was saved at the near post by Alex Smithies.
But the danger was not gone. Swansea kept possession and eventually worked the ball back to Paterson, who took a touch before unleashing a fierce, curling drive which hit both posts before bouncing over the line.
It was a moment of inspiration from Paterson, the kind Martin's Swansea needed having struggled for goals so far this season.
Cardiff have not scored a first-half goal in the Championship all season, and there was little sign of that miserable record changing as Swansea grew in confidence having gone ahead.
McCarthy needed a response after the break, and there were early set-piece opportunities as Aden Flint's shot deflected over and Nelson headed off target from the resulting corner.
Jake Bidwell ends up in the net as he scores Swansea's third
But there were Swansea threats too, with Laird and Ryan Bennett drawing saves from Smithies before Martin's team conjured a stylish second goal.
Piroe laid the ball off to Paterson, then ghosted into space to accept a clever return pass.
The Dutchman's finish was clinical, as he took the ball down on his chest and rolled home his seventh goal of the season with his weaker right foot.
On a day of racing pulses, Piroe's contribution was ice cool.
Swansea appealed again for a penalty as Mark McGuinness slid in on Korey Smith, then held their heads in frustration as Smith headed wastefully wide with the goal at his mercy.
Another golden chance came and went as Oliver Ntcham's shot was saved, but Swansea's third eventually came thanks to more fine work from Paterson.
Fed by Laird, the former Bristol City player - signed as a free agent on the eve of the season - chipped the ball to the far post for Bidwell to head home from a yard.
- Line-upsMatch StatsLive Text
Line-upsSwansea
Formation 3-4-2-1
18Hamer2Bennett26Naughton3Manning27Laird4Downes8Grimes24Bidwell7Smith12Paterson17Piroe
- 18Hamer2BennettSubstituted forCabangoat 81'minutes26Naughton3ManningBooked at 63mins27Laird4Downes8Grimes24Bidwell7SmithSubstituted forNtchamat 67'minutes12Paterson17PiroeSubstituted forCullenat 85'minutes
Substitutes
- 1Benda5Cabango10Ntcham11Whittaker20Cullen22Latibeaudiere28Walsh
Cardiff
Formation 5-4-1
25Smithies2McGuinness4Morrison5Flint16Nelson30Brown7Bacuna8Ralls21Pack26Giles10Moore
- 25Smithies2McGuinness4Morrison5Flint16Nelson30BrownSubstituted forColwillat 80'minutes7BacunaBooked at 26minsSubstituted forCollinsat 68'minutes8RallsSubstituted forVaulksat 84'minutesBooked at 90mins21Pack26Giles10Moore
Substitutes
- 1Phillips3Bagan6Vaulks19Collins27Colwill29M Harris38Ng
Referee:James LiningtonAttendance:19,288Match StatsHome TeamSwanseaAway TeamCardiffPossessionHome74%Away26%ShotsHome12Away10Shots on TargetHome7Away3CornersHome8Away5FoulsHome5Away15Live TextPost update
Match ends, Swansea City 3, Cardiff City 0.
90'+3'Full Time
Second Half ends, Swansea City 3, Cardiff City 0.
90'+3'Post update
Jamie Paterson (Swansea City) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
90'+3'Post update
Foul by Sean Morrison (Cardiff City).
90'+2'Post update
Matt Grimes (Swansea City) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
90'+2'Post update
Foul by Kieffer Moore (Cardiff City).
90'+1'Booking
Will Vaulks (Cardiff City) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
90'+1'Post update
Ethan Laird (Swansea City) wins a free kick on the right wing.
90'+1'Post update
Foul by Will Vaulks (Cardiff City).
86'Post update
Corner, Swansea City. Conceded by Aden Flint.
85'Post update
Offside, Cardiff City. Sean Morrison tries a through ball, but James Collins is caught offside.
85'Substitution
Substitution, Swansea City. Liam Cullen replaces Joël Piroe.
84'Substitution
Substitution, Cardiff City. Will Vaulks replaces Joe Ralls.
83'Post update
Offside, Swansea City. Olivier Ntcham tries a through ball, but Ethan Laird is caught offside.
82'Post update
Corner, Swansea City. Conceded by Aden Flint.
82'Post update
Attempt blocked. Ethan Laird (Swansea City) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Kyle Naughton.
81'Substitution
Substitution, Swansea City. Ben Cabango replaces Ryan Bennett.
80'Substitution
Substitution, Cardiff City. Rubin Colwill replaces Ciaron Brown.
75'Post update
Attempt missed. James Collins (Cardiff City) header from the centre of the box is close, but misses to the left. Assisted by Ryan Giles with a cross.
74'goalGoal!
Goal! Swansea City 3, Cardiff City 0. Jake Bidwell (Swansea City) header from very close range to the high centre of the goal. Assisted by Jamie Paterson.
Page 1 of 5rewindpreviousNavigate to the next pagenextNavigate to the last pageforward
Source: bbc.com