RYAN MANS UP AS SWANS SOAR
Not a lotta for Shota to smile about
Ryan Manning gets to his feet after scoring the first for Swansea
SOMETIMES a manager just needs a lucky break, so Russell Martin will forever be grateful to the fixture computer that brought Hull south for a lunchtime start.
The paper Tigers had lost three on the bounce by an aggregate score of 8-1 and so their folding in the final half hour was as predictable as a soggy cardboard box collapsing in the rain.
Ryan Manning inflicted the first rip with a well-struck volley, before a comedy goal for Luke Cundle three minutes later.
The third for Joel Piroe was another farcical concession – especially for Hull boss Shota Arveladze – who is surely heading for a final deadly punchline from owner Acun Ilicali.
It could not have been very funny, either, for the small knot of Hull fans, whose seven-hour trip to west Wales deserved better.
“I haven’t spoken to the owner, but the boys are very, very down,” said Arveladze.
“We are on a bad run and we aren’t in form. I feel under pressure. I will talk to myself about the situation, but on this form it is no surprise at all.
“It is about what we can change. Whatever course is taken, it is going to be what is best for the club that matters.”
Georgian Arveladze could well find the change involves a different manager in charge for their next game against Luton after the international break.
Hull’s performance was so poor that even Swansea – who give away late goals themselves – could not hand any over.
Their form remains patchy, but they have now lost only once in four games and have two wins in their last three.
Joe Allen is likely to miss Wales’ final two matches before the World Cup in Qatar after picking up a fresh hamstring issue.
The midfielder, 32, came off in the 30th minute and looks set to miss out on the Nations League clashes with Belgium and Poland. “It’s his hamstring, but it’s not the one he has done before, that’s why there’s not a huge amount of concern at the minute,” said Swans boss Martin.
“Joe doesn’t feel it’s a bad one. I think he has a good understanding of his own body and he is hopeful he came off as more of a precaution.
“He is a really important player for us and for Wales.”
Martin praised his team and added: “They were relentless and I’m really proud of them. Being picky, we should score more.”
Manning scored before Hull keeper Nathan Baxter tripped his own defender Tobias Figueiredo to hand Cundle a tapin.
Figueiredo then passed straight to Piroe who made it 3-0.
SWANSEA: Benda 7; Wood 6, Naughton 7, Cabango 6; Sorinola 6 (Stevens (90) 6), Allen 6 (Cundle (31) 7), Grimes 6, Manning 7; Fulton 6, O Cooper 7 (Oko-Flex (90) 6); Piroe 6 (Obafemi (88) 6)
HULL: Baxter 5; Coyle 6, Figueiredo 5, Greaves 6, Elder 6; Tufan 6, Seri 6 (Woods (75) 5), Slater 5 (Longman (67) 6); Vale 6, Pelkas 5 (Docherty (75) 6), Estupinan 5 (Christie (82) 6)
STAR MAN: Ollie Cooper - Bright young talent who provides pace and buzzing energy to Swansea midfield.
REFEREE: Keith Stroud 7