Filed under: Manchester City, Swansea, Premier League, Football, Match Reports
Sergio Aguero made a dream debut as Manchester City's launched their title assault in stunning style.A combination of wasteful finishing and excellent goalkeeping by Swansea's Michel Vorm contributed towards a goalless first half stalemate - despite David Silva and Gareth Barry both hitting the woodwork.
But City's quality shone through after half time.
Edin Dzeko opened the scoring in the 57th minute before substitute Aguero, the £38 million signing from Atletico Madrid, doubled the score 11 minutes later.
Man of the match Silva added a third in the 71st minute on a tough night for newly-promoted Swansea before Aguero's unstoppable 30-yard finish left City fans saluting a new hero.
THE GOALS
57mins: Vorm has been excellent for Swansea but the keeper can only parry Adam Johnson's curler into Dzeko's path. (1-0)
68mins: What a start. Okay, it was a tap-in but no one at City is complaining as the Argentina international opens his goal account in double quick time. (2-0)
71mins: Aguero turns provider this time as he presents Silva with a simple finish from 12 yards. (3-0)
90mins: What a stunning finish. And it's Aguero again as he caps a memorable debut with a 30-yard effort that threatens top burst the back of the net. (4-0)
OTHER HIGHLIGHTS
16mins: It's been all Swansea so far. Indeed, the visitors have enjoyed 69% of the possession in the opening quarter of an hour without hurting City. Suddenly, the hosts launch a counter attack with Michah Richards inches away from turning home Silva's cross.
23mins: Silva is proof that there is plenty of exceptional Spanish talent left in the Premier League despite Cesc Fabregas' departure. The World Cup winner lets fly with a vicious effort which is heading for the top corner before Vorm makes a spectacular one handed stop.
24mins: It might have started slowly but this game is well and truly alive now. Strong City appeals for a penalty for handball against Ashley Williams following Dzeko's shot are waved away by the referee.
29mins: Not everything Silva touches turns to gold. City's most lively player is denied by the crossbar after a first time shot from 12 yards.
38mins: Swansea's composed early start seems a distant memory as Vorm rescues his side with another excellent save to deny Yaya Toure before an unmarked Silva spurns another good chance when he fires over the bar from 12 yards.
45mins: Vorm, a £1.5 million signing from Utrecht, already looks a bargain as he produces another fine stop to deny Dzeko before Barry rattles the bar on the stroke of half time.
52mins: What a save by Joe Hart at full stretch to keep out Stephen Dobbie.
WHAT IT MEANS:
One down but there are 37 more games to go for City. The journey has only just begun and there will be tougher tests along the way. But full credit to the hosts, who look as though they could be a real threat with Aguero in their ranks. Mancini said afterwards that there was a possibility Carlos Tevez could feature with Aguero at Bolton on Sunday. That will be a sight to savour as far as City's fans are concerned. This was a painful lesson for Swansea, who must dust themselves down and make sure they are over this result by the time Wigan arrive in South Wales at the weekend.
REACTION:
City manager Roberto Mancini saluted Aguero's spectacular debut on the Premier League stage- and warned his team's rivals that there was much more to come from his new signing:
"I know Aguero very well but I don't think he is 100 per cent yet. He has worked with the team only one week and maybe he needs to improve. But it's important that on his debut he scored two goals. He has scored a lot of goals in Spain and Argentina. He is a fantastic striker, but he played in Copa America not so long ago and he needs to do more training."
On the result:
"It is the perfect start to the season. It was important to start the season very well and also important to score goals."
On the season ahead:
"It was important for us to start the season well. But it is goinmg to be a really long and hard season."
On Swansea:
"I thought Swansea played really well in the first half. It was easier after the first goal but before we scored we found it hard."
Swansea manager Brendan Rodgers saw plenty of positives - despite the result:
"I thought the result was harsh on our team. We looked like we could have been a real threat but their first two goals before the hour mark gave them confidence. It might seem strange considering the result, but I have congratulated my players on a terrific show."
On Aguero's display:
"We could have defended the first three goals better, but the fourth goal was a world class goal from a world class player. It was a wonderful cameo from Aguero. His two goals show you what he is about. But I want to pay tribute to my own players."
On his players:
"Some of my players have played in League Two so to stand up to a team of Manchester City's quality for so long is a credit. I know we will improve. We did enough to show that we can be a real threat in this league."
MANCHESTER CITY 4 (Dzeko 57, Aguero 68, 90 Silva 71) SWANSEA 0
PLAYER MARKING:
Manchester City (4-2-3-1): Hart 7; Richards 7, Kompany 7, Lescott 7, Clichy 7; De Jong 7 (Aguero 59, 8), Barry 7; Johnson 7 (Savic 74, 6), Y Toure 7; Silva 9 (Milner 82); Dzeko 7.
Subs not used: Taylor, Zabaleta, Kolarov, Balotelli.
Swansea (4-5-1): Vorm 7; Rangel 6, Caulker 6, Williams 6, Tate 6; Britton 6 (Allen 65, 5), Dobbie 6 (Routledge 65, 5), Agustein 6, Sinclair 6, Dyer 6 (Lita 81); Graham 6.
Subs not used: Moreira, Orlandi, Moore, Gower.
REFEREE: Mike Dean
ATTENDANCE: 46,802
NEXT UP:
- Manchester City v Bolton (away), Premier League, 21/08, 1600 BST
- Swansea v Wigan (home), Premier League, 20/08, 1500 BST
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