Kone hat-trick powers QPR past Swansea as Matos confirms Yeo injury

Richard Kone scored a hat-trick inside the opening 15 minutes as Queens Park Rangers beat Swansea City 5-0 at Loftus Road on Saturday. Jimmy Dunne added two goals in a result that returned Rangers to the Championship play-off places, according to BBC Sport's match report. Swansea remained in the top two despite a second consecutive defeat.

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Kone opened the scoring from Paul Smyth's pass inside two minutes, then headed in a cross from Kwame Poku. His third came from the penalty spot after Swansea goalkeeper Lawrence Vigouroux brought down Smyth. The Ivory Coast striker had not scored since April before producing the early treble that put QPR in control.

Dunne headed in Harvey Vale's corner during first-half stoppage time and added another goal from a set-piece late in the game. Swansea threatened through Adam Idah, whose long-range shot was pushed on to the crossbar by Pierce Charles. Melker Widell also had an effort saved, but the visitors could not reduce the deficit.

Speaking to BBC Sport Wales after the match, Swansea head coach Vitor Matos accepted responsibility and said his team needed to identify and correct the problems exposed by QPR. He pointed to lapses in concentration and organisation, while acknowledging the home side's finishing. Swansea had lost just two of their first 11 league matches before this defeat, their heaviest under Matos.

Matos also confirmed that winger Moussa Yeo is expected to miss between two and three weeks with a hamstring problem sustained against West Ham the previous weekend. Yeo was absent at Loftus Road after scoring three goals in his previous five appearances. His absence adds to Swansea's injury concerns following the loss of fellow winger Ronald, who has been ruled out for up to eight weeks with a hamstring injury.

Jeremy Monga was included in Swansea's matchday squad for the first time since arriving on loan from Manchester City, although he did not play. Matos maintained that the squad could cover Yeo's absence. The defeat was Swansea's worst league result since their 5-0 loss at Southampton in December 2023.