YAYA TOURE WAS the match-winner for Manchester City as the champions emerged from their recent slump with a 2-1 victory over Swansea City.
The champions’ defensive vulnerability was on full display however when Wilfried Bony charged onto a return chipped pass from Nathan Dyer to coolly slot past Joe Hart early on.
There was little conviction in City’s response until Toure released Jesus Navas and the Spain winger fizzed in an excellent low right-wing cross to leave Stevan Jovetic with a simple finish.
Lukasz Fabianski brilliantly tipped a venomous Gael Clichy long-range strike onto the post after 39 minutes, and Pellegrini’s men resumed on the front foot after the interval, but a slick exchange of passes between Bony and Jefferson Montero forced Hart into a fine save from the latter.
There was a pleasing ebb and flow to the second half and Pablo Zabaleta streamed forward on the overlap to collect Navas’ pass but blazed over left-footed having cut inside Ashley Williams.
Tom Carroll was careless in possession, allowing Samir Nasri to find Fernandinho in the Swansea box and his midfield partner charged onto a perfectly weighted backheel to prod home.
City then went for the kill and Jovetic curled over after Aguero’s shot was blocked. Navas became the latest attacker to be frustrated by Fabianski but late nerves afflicted City as Gomis spurned an 87th-minute one-on-one and Shelvey’s deflected free-kick spun wide with Hart beaten.
City will certainly require far more poise in Tuesday night’s must-win UEFA Champions League clash with Bayern Munich.
