City 2 Swansea 1
Feb 5th 2017 att.54,065
So City move into third place after a very late winner by Gabriel Jesus secured the three points against a fighting Swansea. It was certainly a game of two halves - with City battering the Swansea goal in the first 45 minutes with the visitors hardly entering our penalty area.
City failed to keep up their first half form in the second half and it was no surprise when the Swans equalized late in the game. It looked pretty certain the game would end in a draw after 90 minutes but in the second added minute a cross from Silva was met by a Jesus header which was saved by the keeper but fortunately for City Fabianski lost control of the ball and Jesus following up scored from close range - a miracle!
He certainly looks an exceptional signing - his speed , work rate and ability to get in scoring areas is first rate for such a young player and he will only get better. Considering he has only just arrived from Brazil his form is amazing and it is keeping Aguero on the bench!
David Silva too had a good game -his passes providing both goals and he ran the midfield really well especially in the first half. Toure continued his good form - some of his long passes being sublime. It was a shame City eased off in the second half letting Swansea back into the game. Stones did well in defence and Caballero had one good save to make from a free kick.
I nearly missed the game today as I had a tire failure in the middle of the road works on the M6 near J18. Fortunately I managed to get the car safe and good work by a rescue vehicle and the RAC saved the day - thank you guys! I only missed the first 3 minutes!
Only a small number of Swansea fans today
Fernandinho was back - at right back! Jesus led the line - Aguero on bench.
Jesus is brought down but no whistle
Jesus in action at a City corner
Eleven minutes on the clock and Silva crosses from the left
After an effort by Sterling is blocked the ball runs to Jesus who cracks the ball past the keeper
With City ahead the fans and players celebrate
What a start by our new signing - now we need to score more and improve that goal difference!
Fabianski takes an easy catch
Silva is brought down by Fernandez after 20 minutes
Yaya Toure takes the free kick and it flies towards the top corner........
......but alas much to the despair of the City fans Fabianski tips the ball over for a corner!
A shot from Jesus is saved
De Bruyne has an effort blocked
Fabianski saves from Toure
Swansea defenders block an effort by De Bruyne
Kolarov has to do some work
Sterling breaks through and it looked like he was clipped by the keeper
play went on and then we saw the linesman raise his flag!
Sterling got a yellow card for diving!
I think there was some kind of sporting feature in the USA this weekend!
Jesus was soon in action in the second half
Fernandinho brings down Olsson
Sigurdsson takes the free kick
The ball flies towards the top corner but Caballero is able to push it onto the post and safety
Sane tries a shot rather than a cross.....
....and nearly catches out the keeper
Fernandinho has a cross blocked!
Stones heads a corner clear
a header by Mawson goes wide
Fabianski takes the cross
Aguero is still on the bench! Will he come on?
Kolarov heads over the bar
81 minutes and Sigurdsson shoots....
Though there was a player in an offside position right in Caballero's view the shot went into the net
and it was 1-1
The visiting fans went mad
As the time entered the 92nd minute Silva crossed to the waiting Jesus
Jesus heads towards goal but right at the keeper
Fabianski cannot hold the ball and it runs clear.....
Jesus sees his chance and scores the winning goal
The North Stand enjoy the moment
City nearly make it three but Aguero heads over
The managers shake hands after the game
Caballero 7: Fernandinho 7 Stones 7.5 Kolarov 7.5, Clichy 7: Toure 7.5, Sane 7, De Bruyne 7 ( Zabaleta), Silva 8 (Fernando) , Sterling 6.5 (Aguero) Jesus 8.5
