Jordi Gomez (right) celebrates his early goal with Nathan Dyer
Swansea advanced their play-off credentials with a stunning win over promotion rivals Preston.
Jordi Gomez put them in front on two minutes after Sean St Ledger was dispossessed on the edge of the box.
Jason Scotland then doubled the lead just before the half hour with his ninth goal in nine games.
Substitute Guillem Bauza slid home the third before Alan Tate's curling effort made it four, Chris Brown grabbing a consolation goal at the death.
The victory, Swansea's fifth in a row, stretched their unbeaten run to 13 games.
Preston lost experienced defender Callum Davidson to injury after just six minutes, while Swans midfielder Darren Pratley went off soon afterwards.
He is expected to be out for up to eight weeks with a shoulder injury.
Swansea manager Roberto Martinez: "It was a very good performance and to be able to score four goals against a side in a very, very good moment, speaks volumes of the performance.
"We knew the start of the game would be pivotal. We knew Preston were going to be fresh and we had to start the game with a very high tempo.
"It's great to see that we keep improving and keep getting better. We always planned to peak in January.
"It's a long way to go, but we can get better."
Preston manager Alan Irvine: "The best team won without question.
"It was without doubt the worst performance of the season, but credit to Swansea, they were a fantastic team.
"We didn't pass the ball well enough all the way through the game and we conceded some poor goals."
Swansea: de Vries, Rangel, Williams, Monk, Tate, Dyer, Britton (Tudur Jones 80), Gomez, Pratley (Bauza 10), Gower, Scotland (Pintado 62). Subs Not Used: Orlandi, Serran.
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