Manchester City vs. Swansea: Winners and Losers from Premier League Game
Manchester City had to come from behind and work hard for an eventual 2-1 win over Swansea City in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon.
Wilfried Bony gave the Swans an early lead, sweeping home after a good move, before Stevan Jovetic equalised a few minutes later. Both teams had chances late on, but nobody found the back of the net after Yaya Toure's strong run and finish after the hour mark.
Here are all the biggest winners and losers from the game at the Etihad Stadium.
Winner: Yaya Toure
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Ivorian midfielder Toure still isn't at his all-conquering best, but this was a controlled and impressive display nonetheless as he ended up the match-winner against Swansea.
His goal was a result of a powerful drive forward into the box, showing no fear as he knew any touch on him would be a foul, and a driven low finish beneath the keeper to seal the three points for his side. It came just a moment after another low shot from range was saved by Lukasz Fabianski, as Toure led the charge to turn the draw into a win.
Elsewhere, Toure's passing was crisp and intelligent, always on the front foot to try to help his side find a way through the Swansea defence.
Loser: Fernandinho
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Brazilian central midfielder Fernandinho was off the pace all game, allowing Gylfi Sigurdsson to get the wrong side of him so often it was a real surprise that the Icelandic player didn't make more of the opportunities he got.
Fernandinho didn't hold things together in the centre as he did for much of last season, instead trying to push up almost alongside Toure as City dominated possession for long spells.
When Swansea then went forward, he didn't track runners, didn't make tackles in the centre and was too easily dribbled around by Sigurdsson. Fernando came on to replace Fernandinho as City sought to close out the game.
Loser: Jesus Navas
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Spanish winger Jesus Navas got the nod to start on the right for Manchester City, and though he will be credited with an assist for a fine low cross for Jovetic's equaliser, in truth he did nowhere near enough during the game and should have contributed far more.
Frequently he found himself in space down the right only to delay his shot or cross, make the wrong choice in who to seek out and allow Swansea to get numbers back and close him down.
Navas' end product and speed of decision-making was sorely lacking, and on another day, he could have sealed the win for City much earlier.
Loser: Jefferson Montero
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Last time out, Jefferson Montero was the talk of the town after giving Arsenal, and Calum Chambers in particular, a torrid time as the Swans picked up an impressive win.
At the Etihad, though, Montero had one of his other kind of games, the type which has seen him be a frustrating figure in his career so far: capable of genius, but too often inconsistent and on the fringes of things. His touch was poor, his dribbling wayward and his ability to get beyond the defence almost nonexistent.
The search for regularly impressive performances from the winger goes on.
Winner: Manuel Pellegrini
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Before the game, Manuel Pellegrini was adamant that his side have to start picking up wins with great consistency to give themselves a chance of retaining their Premier League title, per BBC Sport.
Despite going behind early on, City managed to take the win, showing a mix of strength and quality on the ball to do so, which will please the manager.
It's only one win, but it is a start for City to get back on the path of regular three points and closing the gap to Chelsea at the top, and against an in-form opponent, that's all Pellegrini could really ask for.
