Last update on. From the section Championship
Aleksandar Mitrovic celebrates the goal that he scored as Ben Cabango's legitimate claim to offside is overlooked
Aleksandar Mitrovic scored Fulham's first-half hat trick to beat Swansea City by 3-1. This placed Fulham third in the Championship.
As Fulham exposed Swansea’s weaknesses, Mitrovic scored 10 goals in nine club matches in 2021-22.
Marco Silva's team won their first league victory after three games, with Jamie Paterson pulling one back for Swansea.
The Welsh club is now 19th after a first defeat in five games of the second-tier.
Fulham capitalized on the defensive vulnerability of Swansea, which was a problem from the beginning.
Harry Wilson had already witnessed a penalty appeal rejected by Mitrovic when he began to leave his mark on the game.
Swansea had half cleared a Neeskens Kebano cross. But Tim Ream headed it back into the penalty box. Mitrovic turned Kyle Naughton and guided a low shot past Ben Hamer.
It should have been disallowed as Mitrovic was only half a yard offside. However, there was nothing suspicious about his second goal other than Swansea's defense.
Joe Bryan intercepted Ben Cabango's pass and sent Kebano soaring down the left, before Mitrovic's low cross was blocked into the corner.
Fulham had more chances. Mitrovic headed straight at Hamer, while Bobby Decordova–Reid fired wastefully, before Swansea got one back.
Joel Piroe's precise through ball sent Paterson into space. He coolly cut back on his right foot to leave Denis Odoi, Paulo Gazzaniga and the home keeper helpless as he curled an effort inside the far post.
Jamie Paterson is calm to win his third goal since joining Swansea
Fulham quickly reestablished their advantage with a quick counter-attack that ended with Odoi crossing for Mitrovic. Mitrovic scored his third goal of night, and 52nd in 92 appearances at the level. With a clinical finish.
Before this match, Swansea had won four league games without conceding. However, they were unable to overcome Fulham's dominance in the Championship after 10 games.
Russell Martin's team could have scored a second goal in the second period, but Flynn Downes was able to lift the ball over from 12 yards. This was after Ethan Laird had done a great job and Flynn Downes saw his effort deflect onto the crossbar.
Fulham may have scored a fourth goal, but Hamer saved Odoi's attempt.
Marco Silva, Fulham's head coach, said that Mitro (Mitrovic), scoring three goals meant he had a great night. However, the way we set the ball up for him to score was so important. Without the team producing goals, every striker in the game can't score goals. He was so happy that we scored.
"Sometimes strikers have three to four chances and score three goals. Last game he scored once and had clear opportunities to score more. It's part of the game for strikers. It was great to see him score three goals tonight.
"In the first Hlaf, we did so well. There were some great moments. We had two amazing moments during the counter-attack.
"The way we constructed our attacks was really great. We had great organisation without the ball, but we need to improve our position as midfielders when we concede the goal."
Russell Martin, Swansea's head coach, said to BBC Sport Wales that he thought the team was great. I'm proud of the players. We went toe-to-toe with the best in the division.
They have a guy in great form, and he is one of the top strikers in the division. He is a great striker and gets paid well to do what he loves.
"But let's be realistic. They spent our entire season's playing budget on one player.
"We were up against her, but we came to her with courage, real bravado, and that is what I loved so much about it. Although I was disappointed by the loss, I am proud of how the players approached it.
