After watching cross town rivals Manchester United demolish the reigning champions Leicester City, Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City faced Swansea City for the second time in a week, after the two teams had clashed in the EFL Cup at the Liberty Stadium where the Citizens had come out on top.
Manchester City continued their good start to the season and eked out yet another win to make it a perfect 10 out of 10 victories as Pep Guardiola’s revolution continued in full swing.
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Here are five talking points from the engrossing encounter.
#1 Sergio Aguero’s brilliant start to the season continues
10 out of 10 for Guardiola. 11 goals for Aguero. The Argentine has been a modicum of consistency ever since his move to the Premier League, but under Guardiola he has dazzled like never before.
In less then two months, the Argentinian is already into double figures for the campaign.
Both his goals were one for the collector’s item; the first a show of his flexibility with an expert turn and finish, and the second a perfect paneka penalty to fool Lukasz Fabianski. This season might turn out to be one for the record books for Aguero if he continues at this rate and is lucky with fitness and stays away from injuries.
#2 Llorente’s scorcher the only positive for Swansea
Fernando Llorente rolled back the years to score a stunning half-volley which brought Swansea back on level terms almost immediately after Aguero had opened the scoresheet. The goal re-energised Swansea and the manner in which they pressed City down was exemplary.
With the evergreen Leon Britton back in the squad, Jack Cork could move up forward much more for Swansea in the first half. That, added with the grit which Leroy Fer brings to the midfield, made sure that City were never in cruise control.
Things changed in the second half, however, but Swansea’s efforts have to be praised.
#3 Kevin De Bruyne’s shift to middle tilted the tie in City’s favour
Kevin De Bruyne is a figure of paramount importance to this Manchester City unit. City fans must have been praying that his substitution, after he went down, was only a precautionary measure. Last season City were fighting for the title before he was injured. He returned after 10 weeks to find his team battling for 4th Spot.
In the first half, Swansea had City on the ropes when he was on the right-hand side of the midfield. A minor tweak from Guardiola saw him switch the Belgian to the centre of the midfield and David Silva to the left. Swansea were soon fighting for possession and had their backs to the wall.
He may have gone down too softly for the penalty, but his move to the middle caused chaos and led to the situation. City have a tricky away trip to Tottenham Hotspur next week and will hope that De Bruyne is fully fit to face them.
#4 Raheem Sterling is showing the quality that he once promised
Raheem Sterling’s remarkable transformation has continued with another passing game. He has now reached a level which can be matched by the great wingers that have played under Pep Guardiola.
The manner in which he finished off yet another game (after the victory at West Ham) with an effort that was a slotted away with ice cool calmness, is a testament to how much the inconsistent winger has changed since the Spaniard took charge.
If he continues at this rate, Sterling can surely make not only Manchester City, but also England, a much bigger threat in intercontinental and international competitions.
#5 Francesco Guidolin should be given more time
Francesco Guidolin was one of the most underrated coaches in football when in charge at Udinese. He managed to steer Udinese into consecutive Champions League spots, including the year in which Serie A was demoted to having three UCL spots.
Stars like Alexis Sanchez, Mehdi Benatia, Kwadoh Asamoah were developed under his tutelage and he managed to reinvigorate Antonio Di Natale in an inspirational manner.
Rumours of dissent in the Swansea dressing room have been circulating, but on the back of this game and his past record, the Italian deserves to be given more time.
