Goals from Ronald, Liam Cullen and Azeem Abdulai saw Swansea City ease their way past ten man Gillingham 3-1 in the Carabao Cup.
Ronald’s low, curling, first-half opener from outside the area was a just reward for an impressive first start to the season for the Brazilian winger.
Cullen’s close range finish, supplied by fellow second half substitute Josh Key, put the Swans on course for victory.
Despite a late consolation header for the League Two side from substitute Oli Hawkins, the win was sealed by defender Azeem Abdulai’s first goal for the Championship club.
The visitors’ cause was not helped by a straight red card for midfielder Euan Williams. His late challenge on veteran defender Kyle Naughton drew a furious response from Swansea players.
Gillingham’s failure to deal with the constant threat of Ronald was their main area of struggle for most of the evening.
Before scoring himself, the Brazilian – who has recently recovered from a hamstring injury – set up an open goal chance for home debutant Zan Vipotnik.
Slovenia striker Vipotnik – one of six changes made by Swans head coach Luke Williams after the defeat at Middlesbrough – volleyed over in the six yard box.
Gillingham, who made seven changes after their 4-1 win over Carlisle United, almost conceded when Hawkins put the ball narrowly wide of his own goal before the defender scored himself at the other end.
Abdulai’s added time goal after an Eom Ji-Sung cross ensured Swansea progressed to round two.
Swansea City head coach Luke Williams said after the game:
“The performance was worthy of victory, we made it a bit tense in the end by conceding but in the end we were comfortable with that third goal.
“We need to upscale the performance, for me this is the model of how I’d like the team to play in the league but we have to upscale our performance to Championship level.
“If we can produce this at a higher level, we’ll have something exciting.”
Meanwhile, Gillingham manager Mark Bonner said:
“I thought the game was as tough as we expected it to be and it only got harder with the sending off.
“We always knew we were going to be playing a team who dominate the ball, and therefore our defensive work had to be brilliant.
“We had to be very patient to not go chasing after them but we were a bit too respectful in the early stages of the game.”
Swansea City: Lawrence Vigouroux; Kyle Naughton (Josh Key 67), Ben Cabango, Kristian Pedersen, Nathan Tjoe-A-On (Josh Tymon 66); Matt Grimes (captain), Jay Fulton, Azeem Abdulai; Ollie Cooper (Gonçalo Franco 73), Žan Vipotnik (Liam Cullen 67), Ronald (Jisung Eom 72).
Unused Substitutes: Nathan Broome, Harry Darling, Dan Watts, Josh Thomas.
Goals: Ronald (24), Cullen (70), Abdulai (96).
Gillingham: Glenn Morris, Max Clark (Oliver Hawkins 46), Max Ehmer (captain), Jack Nolan (Aaron Rowe 46), Jonny Williams (George Lapslie 60), Jayden Clarke (Jacob Wakeling 78), Robbie McKenzie, Euan Williams, Shadrach Ogie, Joe Gbode (Marcus Wyllie 66), Alex Giles.
Unused Substitute: Jake Turner.
Goal: Hawkins (87).
Sent Off: E Williams (51).
Referee: David Rock
Attendance: 6,019