Steven Fletcher has scored twice on his debut for Sunderland to give them a 2-1 half-time lead.
The Scot got in behind the Swansea City defence before curling the ball beyond Michael Vorm to give the Black Cats the lead.
Wayne Routledge restored parity just before the interval, but Fletcher swooped to restore the Black Cats' lead.
The game has been slightly overshadowed by the knee injury to Swansea left-back Neil Taylor.
The 23-year-old had to be given oxygen as he was stretchered off, being replaced by Ben Davies.