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Played
August 15, 2011 8:00 PM BST
Etihad Stadium — Manchester
Referee: M. Dean
Attendance: 46802
August 15, 2011 8:00 PM BST
Etihad Stadium — Manchester
Referee: M. Dean
Attendance: 46802
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| Manchester City | 1.33 | 1.20 | 1.32 | 1.00 | 1.40 | 1.35 | 0.00 | 1.42 | 1.35 |
| Draw | 4.75 | 5.50 | 4.65 | 41.00 | 4.50 | 4.75 | 300.00 | 4.50 | 4.75 |
| Swansea City | 9.00 | 12.00 | 10.00 | 71.00 | 10.00 | 9.00 | 900.00 | 9.30 | 8.00 |
Top of the Match
Kun Agüero
Manchester City
Manchester City
Kun Agüero
Manchester City
Manchester City
Flop of the Match
Nathan Dyer
Swansea City
Swansea City
Michel Vorm
Swansea City
Swansea City
Goal.com Rating 
Fans' Rating Manchester City 4-0 Swansea: Sergio Aguero scores twice and makes another as substitute on debut
Blues' opening game of season became a one-man show as the Argentine debutant lit up the Etihad Stadium with a brilliant display from the bench
By Steve Hewlett
Getty Images
A barnstorming 30-minute debut from Sergio Aguero propelled Manchester City to a convincing victory over Swansea City and laid down a marker for all Premier League title challengers this season.
After coming off the bench in the second half, the Argentine's instant influence on proceedings saw him score twice, the second a superb long-range drive, and assist the mercurial David Silva. Edin Dzeko also netted, and the Bosnian can take heart from a performance that was a significant improvement from his first term in English football.
The Premier League newcomers made an encouraging start with spells of sustained possession. The first ten minutes saw Swansea have a comfortable share of the play and City struggled to impose themselves on the game.
Despite a slow start, City's quality emerged and a slick one-two between Silva and Nigel de Jong resulted in the Spaniard smashing the ball to the far post, drawing a fabulous save from Swansea goalkeeper Michel Vorm.
Silva wasn’t finished testing the Dutchman, and with help from Adam Johnson, he opened his body to flick a left-footed shot high into the goal only for the crossbar to maintain the parity.
The Blues’ dominance continued as both Dzeko and Gareth Barry had half chances to open the scoring, but stout defending from Swansea was enough to keep Roberto Mancini's side at bay.
The openings kept coming for Mancini’s side, a barnstorming run from Yaya Toure produced a shot which was pushed wide by Vorm, and from the subsequent corner, Silva again failed to hit the target.
Dzeko would be kicking himself again with the half drawing to a close as he sped in from the left, a little jink lost Steven Caulker, but a weak shot and more top work from Vorm denied him again.
The final act of the first period saw the crossbar once again save Swansea, this time from a well-executed shot from Barry.
It was more of the same after the interval, City continued to bombard the Swansea back-line and Dzeko again was left frustrated after a run was quashed by the offside flag.
The waves of attack were relentless, Silva had a penalty shout turned down, and worse was to come for the Blues as a display of alertness from Nathan Dyer launched a counter attack which surprised most. Scott Dobbie was the recipient of this offensive but his long-range effort never really challenged Joe Hart.
Shortly after, the dam burst for Swansea. Silva was pivotal again. His immaculate skill opened acres of space before he played it to Adam Johnson, whose cross was spilled by Vorm directly in front of Dzeko who tapped home to lift the cap of frustration from the Etihad Stadium.
With Manchester City in the lead, Mancini introduced Aguero and the Argentine's first effort drew another save from Vorm.
But the £35 million acquisition from Atletico Madrid wasn't to be denied again as an overlapping run on the right from Micah Richards drew the Swansea defence to him before a squared pass across the face of the goal was met by an unmarked Aguero, who had ghosted in behind the Swansea defence.
Better was to come as Aguero chased a seemingly dead ball to flick overhead and allow the other protagonist of the evening, Silva to stroke home a quick-fire third to leave Rodgers’ side stunned.
The whirlwind display from Aguero was ended in the 90th minute with a 35-yard strike which left Vorm helpless.
For City, the performance was a statement of intent to their title rivals, who in their opening fixtures all looks unconvincing in spells. For Swansea, an encouraging opening filled with possession will not be enough in games this term but on a positive note, they potentially only have to face the Aguero once more in the league this season.
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After coming off the bench in the second half, the Argentine's instant influence on proceedings saw him score twice, the second a superb long-range drive, and assist the mercurial David Silva. Edin Dzeko also netted, and the Bosnian can take heart from a performance that was a significant improvement from his first term in English football.
The Premier League newcomers made an encouraging start with spells of sustained possession. The first ten minutes saw Swansea have a comfortable share of the play and City struggled to impose themselves on the game.
Despite a slow start, City's quality emerged and a slick one-two between Silva and Nigel de Jong resulted in the Spaniard smashing the ball to the far post, drawing a fabulous save from Swansea goalkeeper Michel Vorm.
Silva wasn’t finished testing the Dutchman, and with help from Adam Johnson, he opened his body to flick a left-footed shot high into the goal only for the crossbar to maintain the parity.
The Blues’ dominance continued as both Dzeko and Gareth Barry had half chances to open the scoring, but stout defending from Swansea was enough to keep Roberto Mancini's side at bay.
The openings kept coming for Mancini’s side, a barnstorming run from Yaya Toure produced a shot which was pushed wide by Vorm, and from the subsequent corner, Silva again failed to hit the target.
Dzeko would be kicking himself again with the half drawing to a close as he sped in from the left, a little jink lost Steven Caulker, but a weak shot and more top work from Vorm denied him again.
The final act of the first period saw the crossbar once again save Swansea, this time from a well-executed shot from Barry.
Complete cameo | Aguero's 30-minute debut saw him scored twice and set up Silva
It was more of the same after the interval, City continued to bombard the Swansea back-line and Dzeko again was left frustrated after a run was quashed by the offside flag.
The waves of attack were relentless, Silva had a penalty shout turned down, and worse was to come for the Blues as a display of alertness from Nathan Dyer launched a counter attack which surprised most. Scott Dobbie was the recipient of this offensive but his long-range effort never really challenged Joe Hart.
Shortly after, the dam burst for Swansea. Silva was pivotal again. His immaculate skill opened acres of space before he played it to Adam Johnson, whose cross was spilled by Vorm directly in front of Dzeko who tapped home to lift the cap of frustration from the Etihad Stadium.
With Manchester City in the lead, Mancini introduced Aguero and the Argentine's first effort drew another save from Vorm.
But the £35 million acquisition from Atletico Madrid wasn't to be denied again as an overlapping run on the right from Micah Richards drew the Swansea defence to him before a squared pass across the face of the goal was met by an unmarked Aguero, who had ghosted in behind the Swansea defence.
Better was to come as Aguero chased a seemingly dead ball to flick overhead and allow the other protagonist of the evening, Silva to stroke home a quick-fire third to leave Rodgers’ side stunned.
The whirlwind display from Aguero was ended in the 90th minute with a 35-yard strike which left Vorm helpless.
For City, the performance was a statement of intent to their title rivals, who in their opening fixtures all looks unconvincing in spells. For Swansea, an encouraging opening filled with possession will not be enough in games this term but on a positive note, they potentially only have to face the Aguero once more in the league this season.
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Goal
Own Goal
Penalty
Penalty Missed
Yellow Card
Assist
Penalty Save
Penalty Shootout Goal
Penalty Shootout Miss
Yellow Card / Red Card
Red Card
Substitution IN
Substitution OUT
Injury
Goal.com Rating
Goal.com Man of the Match
Goal.com Flop of the Match
Top & Flop Global Ranking
Fans' Man of the Match
Fans' Flop of the Match
Results
Times In BST
Match News
Top Scorers
| Player | Goals | Penalties | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Robin van Persie
Striker Arsenal |
30 | 2 |
|
Wayne Rooney
Striker Manchester United |
27 | 6 |
|
Kun Agüero
Striker Manchester City |
23 | 3 |
|
Aiyegbeni Yakubu
Striker Blackburn |
17 | 4 |
|
Emmanuel Adebayor
Striker Tottenham |
17 | 3 |
