<\/h2>\n

Morgan Whittaker scored a hat-trick in Swansea City’s 4-1 victory over Plymouth Argyle in the Carabao Cup this week, ending a long wait for any Swansea player to claim the match ball.<\/h2>\n

The Swans began well, with Jake Bidwell whipping in a dangerous delivery for Kyle Joseph to meet. His effort was goalwards, but it was blocked well.<\/p>\n

Russell Martin lined up with two debutants, including the opening goal scorer Daniel Williams.<\/p>\n

The ball was laid off well to the 20-year-old, who drilled low to beat Callum Burton in a poor showing from the Pilgrims’ shot-stopper.<\/p>\n

Whittaker threatened early on with tame efforts, one before Williams’ strike heading over the bar, the other just flicking into Burton’s hands after an excellent diagonal ball from the scorer.<\/p>\n

Plymouth began to make inroads on Swansea’s goal from Ryan Broom’s dangerous crosses, which were dealt with regularly by Swans defender Brandon Cooper.<\/p>\n

From the other side though, a ball was curled into the back post that Rhys Shirley. The substitute simply couldn’t miss, tapping it past Ben Hamer for his first senior goal.<\/p>\n

16 minutes later, the hosts made the breakthrough once more. Williams, who must have impressed Russell Martin thoroughly, slid in Whittaker. The20-year-old cut inside on his left foot, firing a precise shot into the back of the net from 25 yards.<\/p>\n

What followed, was simply an outstanding piece of individual play from Jamal Lowe.<\/p>\n

The former Wigan Athletic man has had quite a poor start to this campaign, but his bursting run down the Plymouth left caused trouble beyond reckoning.<\/p>\n

He was swarmed by five players in dark green as he looked to shoot but unselfishly squared to Whittaker who finished consummately past Burton.<\/p>\n

Ethan Laird came on after his outstanding performance against Bristol City in a more advanced role due to Plymouth’s tiredness and was deadly in setting up Whittaker’s third.<\/p>\n

His dribbling down the right-hand side freed space for the former Derby County man, who toe-poked home after beating a tired Argyle defender in the box.<\/p>\n

The significance of this goal is huge for Swansea fans, as they haven’t seen a player score a hat-trick in over 10 years.<\/p>\n

It may be a significantly less important fixture now, but Whittaker is the first since Scott Sinclair in the 2011 play-off final to bag a trio in a single match.<\/p>\n

Even the legends of recent Swans past, such as Andre Ayew, Michu, Wilfried Bony, Bafetimbi Gomis and Fernando Llorente never managed such a feat.<\/p>\n

Manager Russell Martin was beaming with pride after the result.<\/p>\n

\n

“I am really pleased with the result and so much that we saw. We had a little spell for 15 minutes in the second half where we got a bit slow and sloppy, we did not take enough care and it led to their goal.<\/span><\/p>\n

“So I was frustrated with that, and I still am, but the way the guys then wrestled back control was excellent.<\/span><\/p>\n

“That’s the beauty of having the ball and dominating the ball. The opposition get very tired towards the end, and it opened up.”<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Swansea will take on former manager Graham Potter, and his new side Brighton & Hove Albion, in the third round of the Carabao Cup in the week commencing 20th September.<\/p>\n

Follow us on Twitter @ProstInt<\/a><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

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