Man City 4-0 Swansea: Sergio Aguero with 2 Goals, 1 Assist off Bench

Premier League newcomers Swansea City looked to make a good first impression in top-flight football against title contenders Manchester City.

Coming to the Eastlands for the first match of the season is no small order, however, as the Welsh side were to find out all too convincingly.

The Swans started brightly, with forward Scott Sinclair causing problems with his pace and guile on the left wing. His battle with athletic Man City right back Micah Richards proved to be one of the best throughout the match.

For the first 20 minutes, Swansea showed impressive confidence on the ball, holding possession with tight, accurate passing up and down the pitch. They were unable to produce any shots on goal, however (insert Arsenal joke here), and City's midfielding duo of David Silva and Yaya Toure soon took over.

The two combined well several times, producing several goal-scoring chances out of the center of the made slick by consistent drizzle.

Silva had two great chances, only to be denied the first time by Swansea keeper Michael Vorm, who put in a performance that rivaled Shay Given's Aston Villa debut in terms of quality. Silva's second effort fizzled off the crossbar.

City simply could not find the net in the first half, as Gareth Barry's own drive at the end of the first half also rocketed off the woodwork.

All of the positive play from midfield was wasted, however, by lone striker Edin Dzeko's ineptitude up front. The tall striker has rivaled Fernando Torres for most-ignominious debut since his own January switch, and those who might have felt that his de Gea'd shot-turned-goal last weekend might have boosted his confidence were ultimately left dissatisfied by his dour first-half display.

City manager Roberto Mancini had some decisions to make at halftime, as his side's dominance had produced nothing in the way of a result. With crosstown rival United winning their own opener, three points were essential for City to start their campaign off right.

The second half began as the first had ended, with Silva and Toure pouring forward with little in the way of support.

Silva's hard work finally paid off in the 57th minute, however, as he muscled the ball up the pitch before dumping it off to the impressive Adam Johnson, whose fired shot ricocheted off Vorm before falling into the path of the onrushing Dzeko, who tapped in with ease.

Having finally broken the floodgates, City looked set to rampage. Mancini sent newly-signed Sergio "Kun" Aguero on for destroyer Nigel de Jong in the 60th minute.

The Argentine proceeded to smash any expectations for a debut. The axiom that it takes time for a player to adapt to a new league? Smashed within the course of a thirty minute debut, in which the phenomenal became the expectation.

Adam Johnson's keen through ball sent Micah Richards gamboling down the right sideline. Richards then played a low cross to the streaking Aguero, who shirked his defender before finishing easily at the far post.

Mancini's tactical changes proved a godsend for the City attack. Upon Aguero's entry, City switched to a 4-4-2, playing Dzeko and Aguero up front together. Mario Balotelli's forlorn expression on the sideline said it all: the Dzeko—Aguero partnership worked wonders, and add Carlos Tevez to that already-potent mix, and it looks like Super Mario may be relegated to Carling Cup appearances.

After receiving a brilliant back-heeled flick from the impressive Johnson, Dzeko delivered a sumptuous chip over the top of the defense that sent the onrushing Aguero on a race with the sideline.

Kun's athleticism was on full display as he stretched to just save the ball from heading out of play. His looping flick-save fell perfectly for the arriving Silva, who volleyed home into the top of the net.

Three goals in the span of 14 minutes. City's message rang loud and clear: they are ready to contend for a title.

The final goal was a testament to Aguero's world-class talent. The Swansea defense, having taken a beating all game long, relaxed just enough to allow the diminutive Argentine to set himself before to launching a sizzling, dipping 30-yard screamer across goal past a helpless Vorm (story of the match) before lodging spectacularly in the top right of the net.

City fans were besides themselves with glee as they performed the now-customary Poznan celebration, where they jump up and down with their backs to goal. And who could blame them. This level of performance, when coupled with Chelsea, Liverpool, and Arsenal draws, can only propel their expectations.

Mancini now has big decisions to make. Although you can't feel sorry for the man as he looks down his roster—particularly with the now-imminent arrival of Arsenal playmaker Samir Nasri on the cards. Can you imagine City with him in midfield?!

The 4-1-4-1 employed by the Citizens for the first hour was solid defensively, but Dzeko was unable to hold up play adequately. Perhaps he is not comfortable as a lone striker, but then, neither is Mario Balotelli.

Aguero might be the answer as the lone striker, but he played alongside Diego Forlan while with Atletico Madrid, and looked dangerous when paired with the tall Bosnia and Herzegovinan Dzeko. Both seemed more comfortable in a bit more withdrawn position—add Carlos Tevez to the mix, and those three could become a veritable hydra for Premier League defenses.

In any event, Aguero, who has looked set for years to become one of the top players in world football, may finally have found the appropriate stage from which to announce his christening. After his peach of a finish in this summer's Copa America, he looks ready to enjoy as spectacular a debut season as Fernando Torres with Liverpool four seasons ago.

My Man of the Match: David Silva. The goal put him ahead of Toure, but both dominated the middle all game long. Sergio Aguero gets a shout, simply for providing one of the most glorious Premier League debuts in recent memory.