QPR’s Richard Kone startled Swansea on Saturday with the fastest hat-trick from kick-off in English football history.

Kone opened the scoring at Loftus Road in less than two minutes, and he doubled the hosts’ lead seven minutes later.

And when QPR was granted a penalties, he converted from 12 yards to put Julien Stephan’s side virtually out of reach within a quarter of an hour.

Kone achieved the earliest hat-trick from the start of a match in England’s top four divisions since records began in 2004/05 (when the EFL rebranded).

He beat Sadio Mane’s Southampton record set against Aston Villa in 2015 by a minute.

Mane still has the fastest hat-trick in terms of time between the first and third goals, scoring all three in two minutes and 56 seconds in Saints’ epic 6-1 victory.

But Kone now has his own small piece of English football history.

Kone came out of nowhere

Kone’s quickfire treble was even the more impressive given that Swansea came into the game with the league’s best defensive record.

Swansea have conceded only eight goals in 11 Championship games previous to Saturday.

It’s certainly a way to get off the mark for the season, as Kone has only scored once in 13 games since March.

However, he quickly drew level with Paul Smyth as QPR’s leading league goalscorer this season.

This was Kone’s second professional hat trick, and his first at the Championship level.

He earlier scored three goals for Wycombe Wanderers against Peterborough United in the League. One in October 2024, completing the hat-trick in 11 minutes after coming off the bench.

Wycombe provided the 23-year-old with his big break, and he has since scored 34 EFL goals.

Kone’s story thus far

In January 2024, the Chairboys signed Kone from non-League club Athletic Newham.

The striker, who was born in the Ivory Coast, first came to England to compete in the 2019 Homeless World Cup.

And since scoring an incredible 42 goals in 48 games in his first season in the Essex Senior League, he’s only gotten better.

Kone left Wycombe for QPR in August of last year, and he won his maiden senior international cap in November.

QPR’s victory will keep them in contention for the Championship play-offs.

This season’s play-offs have been enlarged from four to six clubs, therefore eighth place will be enough for a chance at promotion in May.