"We have been blown away in our two previous interstate matches against Port Adelaide and Brisbane and we needed a win," Knights said.
"We have two matches coming up at Subiaco against West Coast and Fremantle, so it was important to record a victory."
Knights was particularly pleased with his team's ability to consistently absorb the Swans' pressure.
"To grind a win away like that against a quality Sydney outfit was especially pleasing because the Swans keep going and never give up," he said.
"There was a lot of hard work at the stoppages and even at three-quarter time when we five goals up I told the boys to keep running hard and to keep kicking goals because the Swans are a team that would never give up."
Knights said that the players had been keen to rebound after a disappointing performance against Collingwood last week and the reviewing of the tape on Monday did not make for pleasant viewing.
"It was both disappointing for the players and coaches to review the tape on Monday and there was some gory viewing," he said.
"We all wanted to make amends and I thought it was a consistent four-quarter effort from the team."
The performance of Michael Hurley, who has missed a lot of footy, was particularly pleasing for Knights, and he believes that Tayte Pears has added another dimension to his game.
"Tayte played a bit of a different role today, having more room to run around up the ground and it was another challenge for him that he handled very well," Knights said.
"He is a confident player and it showed. For Hurley to get some game time was also a bonus and I am sure Duncan Fletcher found it easier with Barry Hall not playing.
"We have to be careful how we manage Fletcher because he is getting on even though it looks as though he drinks from the fountain of youth."
Essendon now sit in the top eight with eight wins and seven losses with a match against the Western Bulldogs next Friday night at the Telstra Dome.
"The Bulldogs are a major force and we will need to step up a notch."
It should be another Friday night blockbuster.
