Sublime, Plus Ridiculous City 2 vs. 1 Swansea

“Gabriel Jesus is strong, fast and has really good movement. He has arrived really, really, well. He is Gabriel Jesus. We are happy to have him”, Pep Guardiola – 05/02/2017.

Goals: ;de Jesus (11', 90'+2)

Line Up (4-3-3) (match ratings in brackets); 

Caballero (6)
Fernandinho (6)
Kolorov (6)
Stones (6)
Clichy (4.5)
Toure (6)
de Jesus (8.5)
DeBruyne (6), (Zabaleta 78'(6))
Silva (8), (Fernando 90' (5.5))
Sane (7)
Sterling (6.5), (Aguero 83' (6))

Referee; Mike Dean (4.5)

Stats;Possession, 69%/31%; Shots, 17(5)/4(2); Corners, 10/3; Fouls, 9/13

Attendance; 54,065

The addition of Fernandhino and Clichy for Sagna and Otamendi, were the only changes from mid-week, Jesus kept and justified his place, as did Caballero. This was Jesus' full home debut, and again he took it in his stride, being a bundle of energy and movement for the full 90 minutes. All games are big games now for City in the Premier League; the title is a pipe dream, but top four is a must to continue to progress, and expectation was high given the dismantling of West Ham earlier in the week. 

The first half was a joy; the pace, passing, and movement from what became a front five at times was fabulous to watch. Swansea were simply overwhelmed, with barely a misplaced pass, from City, and fervent pressing on losing possession. City at one point racked up 82% possession stats, with Swansea failing to create a single chance all half. The goal came early, and was sublime, a throw on the right on 11' brought a reverse pass from Sane to Silva, before Silva glided passed Fernandez to square to Sterling who was challenged as he shot before Jesus popped up to strike home. But City again struggled to convert dominance to further goals, and despite creating chance after chance before the half-time whistle they failed to add to the score line. 

The second half could not have been more different. The energy dropped from City's game, and Swansea finally realized they were in a football match. A injection from the City bench didn't come, and even the passing became sloppy, Clichy especially being easily pressured into mistakes. The equaliser when it came seemed inevitable. Swansea had threatened twice already, Cabellero keeping City's lead with a fantastic save from Sigurdsson's free kick just after the break, and Fernandhino headed off the line a few minutes later. City had had chances of their own, Silva's shot on 72' perhaps being the best, but the Spaniard delayed just too long allowing a block. But as has happened all too often, just as fan's thought the worst was over, Sigurdsson popped up on 81' with a cracking left footer from outside the box, again following a lackadaisical challenge from Clichy on the left giving Swansea possession. 

Luckily Jesus has not read the script. Aguero's pressing regained possession in the 92nd minute, before he released Silva on the right, who crossed to the young Brazilian who's header was only parried by Fabianski before Jesus finished with his right foot. 2-1 and three points. 

So definitely a game of two halves, with plenty for Pep to think on still. When City are good, they are very very good, but we are still not the finished article. Keeping the energy for 90 minutes is not easy, and It will be interesting to see if things are changed at all for Bournemouth, who are a difficult side to break down at home. With Arsenal and Liverpool again dropping points yesterday, City sit third, but it still looks like there will be plenty of ups and downs before City are sure of securing a top four finish. 

@l0ngwayfr0mh0me