Russell Martin | We paid for a poorly-managed 20-minute spell

Russell Martin admitted his side had paid for a poor 20 minutes after Swansea City relinquished an early lead to suffer defeat against Stoke City at the Swansea.com Stadium.

The Swans had led with just 98 seconds on the clock when Morgan Whittaker finished from a Joe Allen pass to net his first Championship goal since May 2021.

But the home side’s advantage proved shortlived as Josh Laurent struck twice in four minutes before to put the visitors ahead before 20 minutes had elapsed.

Lewis Baker would add a third for the Potters in stoppage time, but it was that opening period of the game that head coach Martin felt had proved key.

“We are paying for a really poorly managed 20 minutes,” said the Swans boss.

“We want the players to play and be brave, but too often we gave the ball when we should not have and put players under huge pressure.

“When we did beat the press – and Stoke sent a lot of players to press and took some risks and backed their physicality – we looked dangerous.

“But there were too many times where we let them regain the ball too quickly, and the anxiety was massive in the team.

“It is so disappointing after a great start. After that, we had some good moments and a chance for Morgan.

“In the second half we recognised when we could beat the press and when we could put it in behind them and make them defend.

“The players showed character in a difficult moment with the way things were going and the atmosphere because of how the result was going.

“They had a couple of snapshot moments before they scored, when we were pushing for the equaliser and had committed men forward.

“We did not create enough clear-cut chances.”