MX23RW : Friday, October 15 11:01:10| >> :60:1185:1185:

Result: Aleksandar Mitrovic hat-trick guides Fulham to victory over Swansea

Result: Aleksandar Mitrovic hat-trick guides Fulham to victory over Swansea
© Reuters
The Cottagers sit two points off the league leaders.

Aleksandar Mitrovic struck a first half hat-trick as Fulham eased their way to a 3-1 victory over Swansea.

The striker produced three clinical finishes – although Swansea claimed Mitrovic benefited from a generous offside decision for the opening goal – as Marco Silva's side clinched their second win in five league games.

Jamie Paterson replied for the visitors after Mitrovic had put the home side two up, but they were unable to work their way back into the game and suffered a first defeat in five league games.

Silva's side started positively with Harry Wilson immediately causing problems for the Swansea backline.

A through ball from Joe Bryan sent the former Liverpool midfielder into the Swansea penalty area where he went to ground under a challenge from Ryan Manning but Wilson's appeals for a penalty were ignored.

If Fulham were frustrated on that occasion, they benefited from referee Joshua Smith's next major decision when Mitrovic put them ahead in the 12th minute.

After Swansea had failed to clear their lines, Tim Ream headed the ball back into the Swansea area where Mitrovic was standing unmarked on the edge of the six-yard area.

The forward turned and shot past keeper Ben Hamer and the match official awarded the goal despite Swansea protests that Mitrovic was in an offside position.

The momentum was with Fulham but Mitrovic and Bobby De Cordova-Reid both failed to make the most of good chances to double the lead.

They did not have to wait long, however, before Mitrovic added his second in the 32nd minute after Fulham took full advantage when Cottagers left-back Joe Bryan intercepted a misplaced pass by Swansea defender Ben Cabango.

Silva's side pressed forward quickly down the left and Mitrovic was on hand to meet Neeskens Kebano's low cross and direct his first time finish inside the far post.

Swansea had not threatened but they forced their way back into the game in the 38th minute when Jamie Paterson collected Joel Piroe's pass and finished well past keeper Paulo Gazzaniga.

But Fulham responded to the setback positively and restored their two-goal lead when Mitrovic completed his hat-trick in the 45th minute with another first-time finish, this time after meeting Denis Odoi's low cross from the right.

Swansea appeared to have little hope pf clawing their way back into the game but they responded well at the start of the second half with Flynn Downes failing to make most of a good shooting opportunity and Ethan Laird directing a deflected shot against the woodwork.

But Fulham regained control and saw out the game comfortably.

ID:466008:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect3666:
Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
Did you know...?
Aleksandar Mitrovic celebrates scoring for Fulham against Bristol City on September 25, 2021
Read Next:
Wednesday's Championship predictions including Fulham vs. Swansea City
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free match previews newsletter! Updates are sent twice a week.
Read more about Fulham Swansea City Football

rhs 2.0
Todays Game Header Right
Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Bournemouth117401881025
2West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom116412091122
3Coventry CityCoventry117131612422
4Stoke CityStoke116321511421
5Fulham1162323131020
6Queens Park RangersQPR115332216618
7Huddersfield TownHuddersfield115241614217
8Blackburn RoversBlackburn114431914516
9Bristol City114431413116
10Reading115151719-216
11Millwall113621111015
12Blackpool114341114-315
13Luton TownLuton113531816214
14Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd113351416-212
15Middlesbrough113351113-212
16Birmingham CityBirmingham113351015-512
17Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest113261414011
18Preston North EndPreston112541215-311
19Swansea CitySwansea11254914-511
20Cardiff CityCardiff113261219-711
21Hull City11236815-79
22Barnsley11155714-78
23Peterborough UnitedPeterborough112271223-118
24Derby CountyDerby1135378-12

Subscribe to our Newsletter


Transfer Talk Daily
Match previews - twice weekly
Morning Briefing (7am UTC)
Ultra close-up image of Kevin De Bruyne [NOT FOR USE IN ARTICLES]Get the latest transfer news, match previews and news direct to your inbox!