Swansea City vs Manchester City. Premier League.
Swansea.com StadiumAttendance20,870.
Thursday 14 December 2017 08:32, UK
Manchester City made Premier League history with their 15th successive win - the longest ever run in the league - as they beat Swansea 4-0 on Wednesday.
Pep Guardiola's side had matched Arsenal's previous record of 14 wins in a row after their Manchester derby triumph, but surpassed the tally with their victory at the Liberty Stadium.
David Silva (27) opened the scoring just before the half-hour mark, with Kevin De Bruyne (34) curling home a free-kick to double the lead. The Man City captain (52) then scored his second of the game just after the break before Sergio Aguero (85) rounded off the scoring late on.
Man City remain 11 points clear of Manchester United - who beat Bournemouth on Wednesday evening - while Swansea remain rooted to the bottom of the Premier League table.
It was a busy opening 10 minutes at both ends. Aguero had the first shot of the game but his effort on a tight angle could only find the side of the netting before Lukasz Fabianski made a superb save from a powerful Danilo volley. Man City goalkeeper Ederson was also called into action, as Jordan Ayew tried his luck from the top of the box but the Brazilian made a solid low save.
Man City then found the breakthrough in the 27th minute, although Swansea will be disappointed with conceding such a goal. The two Man City Silvas linked up for the opener, with Bernardo Silva's cross from the right flank being knocked home by David Silva with the outside of his foot.
Just after the goal, Man City were thwarted once again by Fabianski as Aguero danced through the middle of three Swansea defenders before striking, but the goalkeeper kept him at bay before pouncing on the rebound, taking a foot to the face from David Silva for his troubles.
The visitors doubled their lead in the 34th minute thanks to a superb free-kick from De Bruyne. After Raheem Sterling was fouled by Kyle Naughton on the left-hand side of the box, the Belgian curled a brilliant set-piece into the bottom corner, beating the leaping Fabianski.
Man City began the second half well, with David Silva and Aguero both going close, and the former added a third goal seven minutes after the restart. After slipping the ball to Sterling down the left flank, the ball was delivered back into the box for the Man City captain at the near post, who chipped over Fabianski to net his second of the evening.
Swansea did have a short spell of pressure in the middle of the half, but were denied a goal after some brilliant feet from Ederson. After Man City cleared a corner, the ball fell to Roque Mesa at the top corner who lashed a thunderous effort towards goal, but after switching directions on the goal line, Ederson got down low to keep the ball out.
Man City rounded off the performance in the 85th minute, with Aguero adding his name to the scoresheet. Yaya Toure picked out the striker in the middle of the park, and he strode forward, heading down the right-hand side of the box. He then flashed the ball across the face of goal and saw it nestle into the far corner to cap off the 15th Premier League win in a row for Man City.
Paul Clement: "It was really tough to watch at times. I think if you're a player, staff member or fan of Man City, it must be a joy to watch that team play but we're on the wrong end of a really dominant performance by them.
"They totally deserved the victory, at times that scoreline could've run higher, but we did have a couple of opportunities ourselves. It was a very good display from them and I have to say, one of the best sides I've ever come across."
Pep Guardiola: "A lot [pleased me about the game]. We played so well, we attacked well inside and outside, we didn't concede chances too much and of course, if the fans are happy, we're happy as well.
"Today, the game was on our mind. It was the team at the top of the league playing the team at the bottom and we knew if we do what have to do, we can win. That's why everything was on our mind because three days ago, we were at Old Trafford and in three more days, Tottenham come to us so this middle game could have been a little bit tricky."
Tony Cottee: "Once the first goal went in after 27 minutes, there was only ever going to be one winner. It's a poor Swansea team, I think they would have struggled against anyone tonight.
"I've been watching football a long time and some of the football Man City play is fantastic. I can't see anyone beating them to the Premier League this year, and the way they're playing, it's football on another level, it really is."
A true captain's performance from David Silva on Wednesday evening, with another superb display in the middle of the park and picking up two goals to boot. His link-up play with Sterling throughout the game was superb, and he continues to demonstrate his importance to the success of Man City this season.
Swansea are next in action live on Sky Sports on Monday Night Football when they travel to Everton on December 18. Man City will next welcome Tottenham to the Etihad Stadium on Saturday evening.
