Aguero scores two in City rout

Sergio Aguero bagged two in a 30-minute substitute appearance as Manchester City beat Swansea 4-0 in their Premier League opener at Eastlands.

Last Updated: 16/08/11 at 09:22 Post Comment

Aguero: Superb debut for City

Aguero: Superb debut for City

Aguero came off the bench moments after Edin Dzeko had broken the deadlock at the Etihad Stadium to score twice and set up another for David Silva.

Dzeko's goal had not arrived until the 57th minute but Roberto Mancini's men thoroughly deserved their victory with Silva and Gareth Barry hitting the bar among a host of other chances.

Aguero - signed as a likely replacement for Carlos Tevez, who was not in the squad - had been kept in reserve by Roberto Mancini due to a lack of match fitness.

Yet there seemed no lack of sharpness when he finally entered the fray after being left on the bench throughout last week's Community Shield defeat.

And with the tantalising prospect he could yet link up with compatriot Tevez, not to mention the outstanding Silva and Yaya Toure, City can expect to challenge for the title.

The hosts, having named controversial striker Mario Balotelli among the substitutes, went straight on to the attack with Silva creating an early chance for Toure.

The Ivorian struck a ferocious shot but Swans stand-in skipper Alan Tate - a player with the Welsh club throughout their eight-year journey from the foot of League Two to Premier League - blocked bravely.

Yet aside from a good run by full debutant Gael Clichy, whose cross was too high for lone striker Dzeko, the hosts were initially quiet.

Swansea looked composed on the ball and, in Nathan Dyer, had a pacy outlet, even though they did not particularly worry the home side.

Almost half an hour had gone before Man City finally started to warm up, but Swansea somehow withstood the fierce barrage they encountered before half-time.

Silva almost found a way through when he combined with Nigel de Jong on the edge of the box but debutant goalkeeper Michel Vorm brilliantly saved his curling effort.

The Dutchman also dealt comfortably with shots from Dzeko and Adam Johnson and breathed again when Silva showed great technique after an incisive Man City move to clip the bar.

A home goal began to look inevitable as Clichy crossed low into the box but Toure was hurried into a shot and miskicked.

Toure almost made up for that miss as he burst down the left to shoot from the edge of the box but Vorm tipped around the post.

Silva had another good chance from the resulting corner but side-foot volleyed over.

Toure and Dzeko had further chances before the interval but Vorm stood firm and Barry also rattled the bar seconds before the whistle.

Man City kept up the pressure after the break as Toure burst forward at every opportunity and fired one chance wide.

Swansea almost caught Man City on a rare counter-attack as Stephen Dobbie got forward but Joe Hart saved well from his powerful long-range effort.

Despite that Man City were still the more likely to score and their opener finally came after more fine work by Silva.

The Spaniard used his strength to retain possession deep inside his own half and then set off an a charge to the edge of the opposite box.

He fed Johnson out wide and although Vorm parried his curling shot, Dzeko was in the right place to divert the ball into the net as it rebounded quickly to him.

The goal settled nerves at Etihad Stadium and Mancini responded by introducing Aguero to popular acclaim.

The Argentinian, who replaced De Jong, was soon in the action with a tricky run and shot that Vorm did well to stop.

But the former Atletico Madrid man did not need much longer to make his mark, sliding on to a Micah Richards cross at the far post to double the lead.

He created another moments later, lifting the ball over Vorm and then squaring on the volley, just as the ball was millimetres from crossing the byline, for Silva to tap in.

Toure went close to adding a fourth with a free-kick which deflected off the wall and clutched on the line by Vorm.

It then seemed Man City were then beginning to ease off and Swansea had a chance as Scott Sinclair muscled through to shoot but Hart was not tested.

But James Milner replaced Silva late on and fired a free-kick straight at Vorm.

And there was still time for more drama as Aguero capped his stunning debut with a 30-yard strike that flew past Vorm into the top corner in injury time.

Football365 Facebook Fan Page

The Football365 fan page is a great place to meet like minded people, have football related discussions and make new friends.

Sky Bet

    • Retrieving latest Sky Bet odds

More Match Results

Sunday, 19 May 2013
16:00
Chelsea 2-1 Everton Report
Liverpool 1-0 QPR Report
Man City 2-3 Norwich Report
Newcastle 0-1 Arsenal Report
Southampton 1-1 Stoke City Report
Swansea 0-3 Fulham Report
Tottenham 1-0 Sunderland Report
West Brom 5-5 Man Utd Report
West Ham 4-2 Reading Report
Wigan 2-2 A Villa Report

Barclays Premier League

Position Team P GD PTS
1 Man Utd 38 43 89
2 Man City 38 32 78
3 Chelsea 38 36 75
4 Arsenal 38 35 73
5 Tottenham 38 20 72
6 Everton 38 15 63
7 Liverpool 38 28 61
8 West Brom 38 -4 49
9 Swansea 38 -4 46
10 West Ham 38 -8 46
11 Norwich 38 -17 44
12 Fulham 38 -10 43
13 Stoke City 38 -11 42
14 Southampton 38 -11 41
15 A Villa 38 -22 41
16 Newcastle 38 -23 41
17 Sunderland 38 -13 39
18 Wigan 38 -26 36
19 Reading 38 -30 28
20 QPR 38 -30 25

Updated Sun, 19 May 2013

Footer 365

Bastian Schweinsteiger aiming to treat Wembley to footballing perfection

Bayern Munich's Bastian Schweinsteiger aims to treat Wembley to footballing perfection in the Champions League final.

Pardew to remain at the helm

Newcastle boss Alan Pardew will remain in charge at St James' Park after holding talks about his future with owner Mike Ashley.

LB: Toffees won't come unstuck

Leighton Baines insists the upheaval of losing manager David Moyes to Manchester United after 11 years in charge will not derail Everton.

Mail Box

More Scared Of Losing AVB Than Bale...

We thought we would have to resort to another mailbox about maths but we've had some grand opinions about Man United, Newcastle, Tottenham and more. Oh and maths...

An Ode To Rafa And Loads More Mails...

We have one Chelsea fan who recognises the job done by Rafa Benitez while there's maths from Liverpool, Newcastle and Manchester. And Shawcross to Arsenal? Nah...

© 2013 British Sky Broadcasting Ltd. All Rights Reserved