Three Things We Learned From Manchester City’s 2-3 Win Against Swansea

Manchester City continued their imperious run of form by beating a determined Swansea side 3-2 on new year’s day at the Liberty Stadium. Wilfried Bony scored two stunning goals for the home side but in the end it was a step too far to climb for the Welsh side in front of their home crowd. All of the three goals scored by City came from the most unlikely of sources as Fernandinho, Yaya Toure and Kolkarov all scored to give the Citizens their first win on Welsh soil.

Manuel Pellegrini made five changes to the side which beat Crystal Palace by the thinnest of margins at the Etihad and against Swansea too they were cautious from the start. However the visitors took the lead when the in-form Fernandinho struck ferociously which sailed into the back of the net. Yaya Toure scored in the second half thanks to a deflection while Kolarov’s goal stood out on the night perhaps but Swansea Goalkeeper Gerhard Tremmel should have done better there. With this City went to the top of the table for the time being with other games slated to kick off later on the day. We here at Soccersouls bring you the three players who shined from the match.

Fernandinho:

The former Shaktar man is stomping his authority in the City squad with yet another determined performance. Not only the Brazilian has been one of the double pivot in Manuel Pellegrini’s setup with Yaya Toure, Fernandinho barges forward with real intent and strikes with venom if given a chance. Just like today against Swansea, Fernandinho picked up the ball as Swansea failed to clear their lines and the Brazilian shot through the crowd. Tactically Pellegrini has got his system working brilliantly with a free flowing 4-2-2-2 which he prefers and changes to a 4-1-3-2 while attacking. City are peaking at the best possible time and if they are to win the title come this May, Fernandinho will be an integral part of the side.

Wilfried Bony:

After a spectacular last season I for one had expected Swansea to better their own performance this campaign. However Micheal Laudrup’s side have been far from brilliant dropping points far too often. One of the reasons for their decline has been the front line’s inability to score goals. The Ivorian today ended a lengthy goal scoring drought with two brilliantly taken strikes. Given his performance today with regularly dropping and the willingness to take defenders on with his might, he will be quite a handful for opposition defences in weeks to come. With Michu out injured, Bony, in his first season in the Premier League has to take greater responsibility if the Liberty Stadium outfit have to finish in the top ten, let alone in a Europa League spot.

Yaya Toure:

Another Ivorian on the list and surprise at all, Toure scored his tenth goal of the season, a testament of City’s goal scoring prowess this campaign. Toure not only possess the physical presence required in the middle of the park, the tall midfielder has enormous stamina, determination and willingness to keep going and running at opposition defences. Pellegrini would be thanking his stars to have both Toure and Fernandinho at his disposal and as the game today showed, City have goal scoring threats from all over the pitch.