The Bluebirds, who had Stephen McPhail sent off for two bookable offences, were left to rue a host of wasted first half opportunities as Roberto Martinez's men edged a frenetic derby clash.
Gomez's curled a 20-yard free-kick past Peter Enckelman after 57 minutes to give the Swansea faithful bragging rights in the first competitive encounter between the sides since April 1999.
Enckelman had earlier denied Jason Scotland with a fine save on the stroke of half-time, while Ferrie Bodde also went close for the host.
Jay Bothroyd and Roger Johnson both looked threatening throughout for Cardiff, who started with plenty of attacking endeavour as McPhail saw his close-range header land on the roof of the net with four minutes played after rising well to meet Paul Parry's teasing cross.
In a frantic opening Joe Ledley was then booked for a late lunge on Swansea midfielder Leon Britton and Gavin Rae and Johnson both went close for the visitors.
Darren Purse powered a header over from six yards after 15 minutes as the home side failed to deal with Ledley's outswinging corner before Swansea threatened to open the scoring against the run of play.
Gomez latched on to a hopeful upfield punt and out-muscled his marker before unleashing an acrobatic effort from just inside the penalty area which Enckelman could only parry behind for a corner.
Johnson continued to cause the Swansea defence problems from set-pieces as McPhail's quickly-taken free-kick eluded everyone and the Cardiff defender ghosted in at the back post but could only steer his close-range header just wide.
Dorus De Vries denied Bothroyd from an acute angle with a sprawling low stop just before the half-hour mark as Swansea were forced to soak up more pressure from their Welsh rivals.
Bodde tried his luck with an ambitious 35-yard free-kick after Purse had fouled Scotland but Enckelman was more than up to the challenge.
Seven minutes before the interval, McPhail was next to be cautioned for clashing with Gomez in the centre circle before Scotland spurned the best chance of the first half.
Mark Gower's threaded pass allowed Scotland to turn his marker and have a rare sight of goal but the Trinidad & Tobago international fired a rasping drive which Enckelman somehow saved with his legs.
Scotland had a tentative shout for a penalty waved away following a collision with Johnson 10 minutes after the restart and moments later Swansea took the lead through Gomez.
Gower was upended by McPhail on the edge of the penalty area and from the subsequent free-kick Gomez unleashed a rasping low effort which clipped Rae in the Cardiff wall before beating Enckelman.
It was Gomez's second goal of the season and the Spaniard clearly enjoys playing in the Carling Cup having netted against Hull in round two.
Sixteen minutes from time McPhail was again penalised for a challenge on Gomez and referee Alan Wiley brandished a second yellow card followed by a red card as a result, much to the frustration of the Republic of Ireland international.
Bothroyd had an effort disallowed for offside, but Swansea hung on for victory.
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