Swans Start New Year With Defeat to Title Contenders

by Matthew Thomas

It was a losing start to 2014 for Swansea City as they were beaten 3-2 by Manchester City, at the Liberty Stadium.

In World Cup year it was Brazilian who scored the first Premier League goal of the year when Fernandinho drilled in after Swans failed to deal with a corner.

Wilfried Bony replied just before half-time, heading Jonathan De Guzman’s cross. With the aid of a deflection, Manchester City restored their lead on fifty-eight minutes through Yaya Toure, and the title contenders wrapped up the points eight minutes later when Aleksandar Kolarov struck.

A sixth league goal for Bony in stoppage time was scant consolation as Swansea’s winless run stretches to six matches.

It was a frantic opening to proceedings as first Edin Dzeko fired wide and Bony saw his twenty-five yard effort come off the post.

Making his way back from injury, Pablo Hernandez suffered yet another setback and had to be replaced by Roland Lamah early on.

And it wasn’t long after that the visitors were ahead. Samir Nasri’s corner was not properly dealt with by the Swansea defence and Fernandinho smacked in a low strike.

Swansea should have been level soon after as first Jonjo Shelvey screwed a shot wide, and then Jonathan De Guzman should have scored when one-on-one but tamely shot straight at Joe Hart.

Edin Dzeko then saw a shot deflect inches wide, before Swansea had big appeals for a penalty.

The whole of the Swansea players and fans were incensed when it seemed that Ashley Williams’ shot struck to arm of Vincent Kompany.

With his fair share of criticism, Wilfried Bony was showing some of the talent meriting his £12million move. After nice link-up play with Jonjo Shelvey, Bony struck a sweet shot that fizzed past Hart’s far post as the Swans started to dominate.

And they made their domination count on the stroke of half-time. Jonathan De Guzman’s early cross found Bony who guided his header in at the near post to level the score.

It was a static start to the second half but it was the visitors who saw their side go back in front just before the hour mark. Jesus Navas’ cross was not dealt with by Tremmel and Yaya Toure took full advantage drilling in his tenth goal of the season to put Pellegrini’s side 2-1 up.

On sixty-six minutes Manchester City hit Swansea with a sucker punch. Aleksandar Kolarov robbed Wayne Routledge and ran from inside his own half and finished from just inside the box to double their lead.

Joe Hart had to be alert to keep out a left-footed shot from Bony but in stoppage time the Swans striker rifled in a thundering shot from outside the box. However, it was little respite from the Swans as Manchester City moved into second and Swansea dropped to thirteenth in the table.