Joe Hart: "Manchester City were awful"

Manchester City goalkeeper Joe Hart has admitted that his side were lucky to beat managerless Swansea City on Saturday, admitting that the hosts were "awful".

Kelechi Iheanacho scored an injury-time winner in fortuitous circumstances after Bafetimbi Gomis looked to have earned a last-gasp point for the Swans as City ground out a 2-1 victory at the Etihad Stadium.

Hart acknowledged that the home side's performance was nowhere near the level required if they are to launch a sustained title challenge this season, but admitted that it was good to see the club performing well in multiple competitions, despite often not playing to their highest level.

"It was a big win considering that we were awful," Hart told BBC Sport. "I thought that Swansea played really well considering the difficult circumstances.

"When we play well, I am a bit of a bystander so it was good for me to be involved. It is a good sign to not always play particularly well and be top of the league, qualify as group winners in the Champions League and to be in the semi-finals of the League Cup. To a man, we can all improve."

The win has lifted City back to the top of the Premier League table on goal difference ahead of Leicester City and Arsenal, who play later over the course of the next 48 hours.