Swansea City 1-3 Manchester City

Sergio Aguero marked his return to the Manchester City line-up in superb style, the star striker scoring twice to help the Premier League leaders secure a comfortable victory over Swansea City at the Liberty Stadium.

Aguero took just nine minutes to find the back of the net, the super star returning to action after a serving a three match suspension, but four minutes later Fernando Llorento fired home a superb equaliser for the rejuvenated Swans. Midway through the second period and Aguero struck his and City’s second goal with a controversial spot kick, Raheem Sterling broke clear to add insult to the Swans’ pride as he struck his side's third. It was a cruel blow for the hosts who had played really well against the unbeaten Man City outfit.

After being dumped out of the EFL Cup by Manchester City just three days ago at the same venue, this poor home result has cranked up the pressure on Swans’ boss Francesco Guidolin. Their next two games in the Premier League are against Liverpool home and Arsenal away, lose both of them and he could find himself out of a job.

City started confidently, but it was Swansea who carved open an early opportunity when good work by the outstanding Leroy Fer released Gylfi Sigudsson on the left and his dangrous cross set-up Fernando Llorente, but the striker's header tamely went into the grateful arms of goalkeeper Claudio Bravo.

In the ninth minute the visitors took the lead with a fantastic finish by Aguero, receiving a ball from Bacary Sagna, the quality striker turned majestically inside the box and struck a low first time shot through the legs of Swans’ keeper Lukasz Fabianski.

The Swans showed superb character to equalise just four minutes later, a sublime through ball by Jack Cork to Llorente, as the striker composed himself he rifled a left foot shot that flew into the roof of the net. Just minutes earlier left back Kyle Naughton drew an excellent save from Bravo.

Fabianski brilliantly took the ball off Raheem Sterling’s toes as the left-sided midfielder was intelligently put through on goal by a delightful chip over the top of the Swans' defence by the classy Kevin de Bruyne.

The visitors had a strong penalty appeal turned down in the 29th minute when defender Angel Rangel tangled with Sterling inside the box.

Centre back Mike van der Hoorn went close with a strong header over the crossbar in the 32nd minute, the chance created by Sigurdsson’s cross from the left.

Minutes later City’s midfielder Fernandinho struck a shot from distance that took a deflection and went for a corner.

Aguero fired over from six yards following a timely intervention by Amat who deflected his shot over.

De Bruyne missed a glorious opportunity to give the visitors the lead two minutes later, the tricky David Silva set-up his teammate on the edge of the 18 yard area, but de Bruyne flashed his low drive just past Fabianski’s right hand post.

Sigurdsson struck a direct free kick from 20 yards out straight to Bravo. Minutes later and some smart defending by Amat took the ball off Ilkay Gudogan, just as the midfielder was about to pull the trigger from ten yards out.

A minute after the break and some excellent work by Fer led to Routledge dragging his shot wide from the right hand side. Centre back John Stones put a powerful header wide from Silva’s corner, the £50 million summer signing really should have hit the target.

In the 54th minute the Swans came close to taking the lead, clever play down the right by Routledge who crossed deep for Sigurdsson who struck a first time wicked left foot volley over the bar.

In the 65th minute the visitors were awarded a controversial penalty, Van Der Hoot collided with de Bruyne inside the box, there was a hint of an elbow to the Belgium man’s face as he fell to the ground. Up stepped Aguero who confidently despatched from 12 yards to give his side the lead, against the run of play.

Substitute Fernando fired over the bar from 25 yards out after just replacing Gundogan, this controversial goal definitely inspired Guardiola’s team.

Swans boss Guidolin made a double substitution replacing Wayne Routledge with Modou Barrow and Ki Sung-Park came on for the industrious Jack Cork in midfield.

Silva came close to adding a third goal as Fabianski tipped over his fierce deflected long range effort.

In the 77th minute a swift counter attack where de Bruyne released Sterling, the left sided midfielder carried before cleverly beating defender Kyle Naughton and easily slotting past Fabianski.

Nine minutes from the end there was a concern for Pep Guardiola as de Bruyne limped off to be replaced by Jesus Navas.

That third goal basically killed it for the Swans as Manchester City held on to win their tenth game in all competitions on the trot and sit pretty at the top of the Premier League.

What the managers said…

Swansea City’s Francesco Guidolin said: “The performance was perfect for me, Manchester City are the best team in the Premier League, I am proud of my players and the way that they performed, just disappointed with the result.

“Before the penalty we could have scored and should have scored. I want to play like this in the future, then the future is good.”

Man City’s Pep Guardiola said: I’m so happy that he (Aguero) scored twice this afternoon. He is a special talent, but he can play better than what he did today.

“It’s difficult to play the same team twice in just three days, Swansea played well and Llorente scored a fantastic goal.

“We need to manage the ball better, we did that in the second half and I’m happy that we won the game.”

Swansea City: Lukasz Fabianski, Jordi Amat, Mike Van Der Hoorn, Lean Britton (captain) (78, Borja), Leroy Fer, Fernanado Llorente, Wayne Routledge (73, Modou Barrow), Angel Rangel, Gylfi Sigurdsson, Jack Cork (73, Ki Sung-Yueng), Kyle Naughton.

Substitutes not used: Kristoffer Nordfeldt, Neil Taylor, Alfie Mawson, Jefferson Montero.

Manchester City: Claudio Bravo, Bacary Sagna (77, Pablo Zabaleta), Raheem Sterling, Ilkay Gundogan (69, Fernando), Sergio Aguero, Aleksander Kolarov, Kevin de Bruyne (81, Jesus Navas), David Silva (captain), John Stones, Fernandinho, Nicolas Otamendi.

Substitutes not used: Willy Caballero, Leroy Sane, Gael Clichy, Kelechi Iheanacho.

Referee: N. Swarbrick.

Assistants: S. Ledger & D Eaton.

Fourth Official: A. Woolmer.

Attendance: 20,786.