Josh Tymon scored a stunning volley as Swansea City ended their five-game losing streak with victory over fellow Championship strugglers Oxford United.

Marko Stamenic headed Swansea into a deserved lead late in the first period before Tymon arrowed the ball into the top corner from 20 yards on the stroke of half-time.

The home side held on with relative comfort after the break to register a first win in seven league fixtures, with Vitor Matos claiming his first points in his third game as the Welsh club's head coach.

Swansea's triumph means they climb above Oxford into 20th, three points above the relegation places, with Gary Rowett's U's two points worse off in 21st.

Both clubs have significant matches ahead, with Swansea at home to 22nd-placed Portsmouth on Tuesday and Oxford - who have won only once in seven games - going to Blackburn Rovers.

Swansea will head into their midweek fixture under slightly less pressure having won a home league game for only the second time since the opening week of the season.

Matos' side recovered from a nervy opening to take control of the contest, with Zan Vipotnik having a goal ruled out for offside before the unmarked Stamenic headed home Tymon's free-kick at the far post.

Tymon's moment of class, after Michal Helik half-cleared Eom Jisung's free-kick, gave Swansea breathing space at the break – though they had been 2-0 up at half-time at West Brom last weekend and came away from that game with nothing.

On this occasion, however, Swansea did not look like surrendering their lead.

It was not until the closing minutes that Oxford truly threatened, with Ole Romenij and Brian De Keersmaecker both denied by sharp Lawrence Vigouroux saves.

Swansea's six-game winless run had come under three different bosses in Alan Sheehan, caretaker Darren O'Dea and Matos.

The Portuguese's first game in charge, the home defeat to Derby 11 days ago, had ended with a chorus of boos from Swansea fans.

There was another dose of pain last weekend as Swansea collapsed at The Hawthorns, leaving Matos' new club in desperate need of a brighter day.

Swansea looked a team lacking confidence in the early stages, but they gradually found some momentum – and upped their tempo in possession – and Oxford struggled to find a response.

Ethan Galbraith was outstanding once more for Swansea despite the midfielder having to start at right-back because Josh Key was missing through illness.

It was Swansea's other full-back, Tymon, who grabbed the headlines - though Matos could take heart from some gutsy performances right across his team.

While there is much work to do yet if Swansea are to avoid a relegation battle, this was a start.

Oxford, meanwhile, are left licking wounds after a sixth away league defeat of the season, and may feel this was something of an opportunity missed given Swansea's recent form.

Swansea head coach Vitor Matos:

"Important win - I think it was important to break the cycle. That's the most important thing.

"A clean sheet as well, that's another step forward that we can build on. Now it's about recovery and Portsmouth.

"We started the game trying to find the momentum. Then we started to have better control, better positioning, then we were able to find the players in the middle and break the lines.

"With that came the confidence, creating chances and set-pieces. The first goal was massive for us in terms of confidence and after that it was [about] keeping the momentum of the game. I think we need to improve on that, but that will come."

Oxford head coach Gary Rowett:

"Hugely frustrating. I don't want to take anything away Swansea's performance but I would expect us to show a little bit more on the back of the week we have had.

"I think the inconsistency is frustrating. We started quite well and then just allowed Swansea to dictate the game and gave too many lazy free-kicks away around the edge of our box.

"I expect us to deal with those moments but they score from a set-piece and then they score a wonder goal just before half-time which gives them a nice little buffer.

"Second half I thought we were better without really looking like we were going to get anything out of the game."