Man City's Disappointment over Swansea Win a Sign of Guardiola's Improvement

It’s perhaps a sign of how good Manchester City’s season has been that their 3-1 win over Swansea City on Saturday was tinged with disappointment.

Their free-flowing brilliance never kicked into gear during a somewhat disjointed first half, and even in the second, when they started creating clear-cut chances, they lacked some of the fluency they have shown in the majority of their other matches this term.

The win maintained their place at the top of the Premier League table and extended their winning run under Pep Guardiola to 10 straight matches, but it wasn’t the blistering, near-perfect football we’ve become used to since the Catalan took over in the summer.

City won the game comfortably thanks to Sergio Aguero’s double and Raheem Sterling’s fine second-half goal, and they missed a bagful of chances to make the scoreline even more impressive. But without the artistry that defines their play, it created a feeling that City have plenty of work to do before their Champions League encounter with Celtic in Glasgow on Wednesday.

.@ManCity have won the opening 6 games of a top division campaign for the 1st time in their history #PL #MCFC pic.twitter.com/FEEZOeAtbh

— Sky Sports Statto (@SkySportsStatto) September 24, 2016

The heightened expectation at City is a byproduct of Guardiola’s exacting standards. His attention to detail and enthusiasm for his work means City’s performance level has risen dramatically in the space of two-and-a-half months.

Rarely has his desire for perfection been as clear as in his post-match press conference, during which he outlined the improvements he wants to see from Aguero, a player who has scored 11 goals in just six games this season.

"Congratulations, of course, for his first goal, for the personality for the penalty, a lot of goals in the games," he said. "I’m so happy for him, but he knows that I want more. He can play better. He can make other things that are going to help us. I will try. I will try to help him to develop his abilities as a football player."

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#PL top scorers…

5️⃣ - Aguero, Antonio & Costa pic.twitter.com/G1LPgFFOwS

— Premier League (@premierleague) September 25, 2016"

Guardiola’s main complaint appears to be Aguero’s lack of involvement in City’s all-around game. The Argentinian has always been a player who comes alive in the final third, whose energy is saved for when chances are presented to him. There are few better in the area, but Guardiola is obsessive about the buildup, and it would seem he wants more help in that regard from his talismanic striker.

“[I want him] to be involved in our game, in our process, and keep the ball and help us," the City boss said.

“Of course, in the box I cannot help him. He’s going to help us a lot in the box. He’s magnificent: the first goal, the first control, how quick he makes the first steps and then his finish, his goal. But I want to help him.”

Sergio Aguero has scored his 30th goal in all comps for @ManCity in 2016 (in his 34th app), the most of any player in English football #PL pic.twitter.com/RJ7wyMWlxe

— Sky Sports Statto (@SkySportsStatto) September 24, 2016

Aguero’s first was a masterclass in finishing. Bacary Sagna’s ball across the box looked innocuous until the City No. 10's brilliant first touch took two defenders out of the game and set up a right-footed finish that he blasted past Lukasz Fabianski. His second, a Panenka-style penalty, underlined his confidence. Given he’s missed two spot-kicks already this season, it was a remarkable show of conviction.

But Guardiola was left wanting more, and who is going to question him after the impact he’s had on City in such a short space of time? He commands so much respect that even the biggest players are expected to deliver more, and no one is too big to be dropped. Just ask Yaya Toure and Joe Hart.

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Got to credit Pep for the small tactical switch he made at the break, putting Silva wide and KDB in the middle. Changed the game #MCFC

— Mark Booth (@markbooth_mcfc) September 24, 2016"

Kevin De Bruyne had perhaps his worst 45 minutes of the season in the first half. Uncharacteristic profligacy in possession and a poor miss when clean through suggested it wasn’t his day, but as ever, he was at the heart of a key moment, winning the penalty that put City 2-1 up and on their way to another win.

And that’s what makes De Bruyne such a special talent. Even on days when he isn’t at his best, when things aren’t falling for him, he will produce a pass, a cross, a shot, a moment of skill that can make the difference. He exited the field injured, though, leaving Guardiola unsure as to whether he will be involved in the upcoming games against Celtic and Tottenham Hotspur.

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Kevin De Bruyne's hamstring injury will be assessed today by Manchester City. Player hopeful he will only be out for a couple of weeks #mcfc

— Ed Aarons (@ed_aarons) September 25, 2016"

“I think he’s injured,” Guardiola said afterward. “Tonight we are going to come back to Manchester. Tomorrow the doctor is going to see. It’s a pity. It’s important for us. From how he reacted, it looks muscular.”

City needed some drive and energy after an incoherent first half—and who else but Fernandinho stepped up and delivered. This is perhaps the most consistent player in the Premier League over the past 18 months, a criminally underrated midfielder who has found a new level under Guardiola.

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The 2016/17 #PL table, so far... pic.twitter.com/jVRrQHhcYe

— Premier League (@premierleague) September 25, 2016"

He brings dynamism, drive and purpose, as well as quality in the final third. He pushed higher during the second period and was key in helping City find something extra to win the game.

This wasn’t vintage Manchester City, and Guardiola will be keen to see an improvement from his side ahead of the tough trips to Celtic and Spurs—but it has been a perfect start to the season, and a victory over Celtic would equal the club record for consecutive wins.

With a perfectionist in charge, it's likely we'll see plenty of other records broken during the season.

Rob Pollard is Bleacher Report's lead Manchester City correspondent and follows the club from a Manchester base. All quotes and information were obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted.

Follow him on Twitter @RobPollard_.