City close in on second place thanks to Toure brace
FA Premier League
Sunday 17 May 2015, 13.30 KO
City: Hart, Zabaleta, Demichelis, Mangala, Kolarov, Fernandinho (Kompany 80), Toure (c) (Bony 85), Lampard (Navas 59), Milner, Silva, Aguero
Unused: Caballero, Clichy, Jovetic, Dzeko
Goals: Toure (21, 74), Milner (36), Bony (91)
Booked:
Referee: Mark Clattenburg
Man of the match: Silva
Manchester City tightened their grip on second place with a hard fought win over Garry Monk's Swansea City. It was the fifth straight win for Manuel Pellegrini's side, who look to be finding form as the season draws to a close. Too little, too late it could be argued.
Pellegrini made one change from the side which routed QPR last week, with Yaya Toure replacing the injured Fernando. Wilfried Bony found himself on the bench against his old side.
Swansea were in a good run of form themselves, having won their previous game against Arsenal, and as a result started well, pressing City high up the pitch and forcing Joe Hart into a couple of good saves.
City soon started to assert control, and took the lead when Yaya Toure fired the visitors ahead, his shot deflecting past a helpless Fabianski. The Blues continued to dominate and took a two goal lead after 36 minutes, with James Milner benefitting from some excellent work from Sergio Aguero before firing low into the corner.
Swansea to their credit, stuck to their footballing principles, passing and moving off the ball, and pressing high up the pitch. They were rewarded just before half time, when Gylfi Sigurdsson pulled one back, firing an excellent shot that gave Joe Hart no chance.
The second half started at a frantic pace, with David Silva in particular impressing once again. The Spaniard was always looking to create, but it was the home side who equalised through Bafétimbi Gomis. The Frenchman controlled the ball inside the box before crashing a shot past Hart to level up the match.
Despite losing a two goal lead, a recurring theme this season, City responded well. Toure restored the lead, hitting a low drive which could (and maybe should) have been kept out by Fabianski.
Swansea again came forward and would have equalised if not for the save of the season from Hart. The England international magnificently kept out Fernandez's bullet header to keep the away side ahead. Wilfried Bony secured the win in stoppage time, firing in low off the post from the edge of the box against his former club.
It was a good win for City, who now know three points on the final day against Southampton next week will be enough for them to secure second place.