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Player Ratings: Manchester City 2-1 Swansea City

Sports Mole takes a closer look at the individual performances of those involved in Manchester City's 2-1 win over Swansea in the Premier League.

Manchester City kept the pressure on Premier League leaders Chelsea on Saturday with a 2-1 win at home to Swansea City.

The Swans struck first when Wilfried Bony gave them a ninth-minute lead, but Stevan Jovetic netted soon after to make it level at the break.

The champions dominated for much of the second half and their patience was rewarded on the hour as Yaya Toure scored the winning goal.

Here, Sports Mole takes a closer look at the individual performances of those involved at the Etihad Stadium.


Stevan Jovetic of Manchester City scores his goal during the Barclays Premier League match between Manchester City and Swansea City at Etihad Stadium on November 22, 2014© Getty Images

MAN CITY

Goal

Joe Hart: Did not have a lot to do for the majority of the afternoon, but City's goalkeeper looked solid when he was called into action. (7/10)

Defence

Pablo Zabaleta: A typical display from the Argentine, who gave no quarter at the back while offering his side plenty at the other end of the pitch. (7/10)

Vincent Kompany: Looked ruffled during the first half as Bony's movement caused problems, though he grew more solid as the game wore on. (7/10)

Martin Demichelis: Made a couple of daft mistakes that put his side under needless pressure during an underwhelming 90 minutes for the centre-back. (6/10)

Gael Clichy: Was energetic up and down the left flank, patrolling the touchline well. Almost scored an absolute belter in the first half when his shot from 30 yards came back off the post. (7/10)

Midfield

Jesus Navas: Was given some stick from the home fans in the first half as he found it difficult to make an impact, though it was his cross that set up Jovetic to make it 1-1. Got more involved after the break. (6/10)

Yaya Toure: Despite it not being one of Toure's better afternoons, the Ivorian's persistence in midfield eventually paid off when he netted the winner on the hour. (7/10)

Fernandinho: The Brazilian was a passenger for large spells of the match when he could have got forward more. Was eventually taken off with two minutes of normal time remaining. (6/10)

Samir Nasri: Did a good job of filling the void left by the injured David Silva, making the champions tick high up the pitch with his vision and creativity. (8/10)

Attack

Sergio Aguero: Worked hard up front for the hosts, though he rarely linked up with strike partner Jovetic. His bullish strength and ability to shoot with either foot made sure that the Swansea defence never switched off when he was around. (7/10)

Stevan Jovetic: With Edin Dzeko sidelined for the next few weeks, Jovetic's performance would have pleased Manuel Pellegrini as the striker looked lively and took his goal well. (7/10)

Substitutes

Frank Lampard: Offered the hosts a bit of guile in midfield when he came off the bench on 70 minutes. Almost set up Aguero with one of his first few touches. (6/10)

James Milner: Put himself about during the final 10 minutes of the match, keeping the Swansea midfield and defence on their toes. (6/10)

Fernando: Did little to impact the game when he was introduced with a couple of minutes left, replacing fellow countryman Fernandinho. (5/10)


Wilfried Bony of Swansea City celebrates his opening goal during the Barclays Premier League match between Manchester City and Swansea City at Etihad Stadium on November 22, 2014 © Getty Images

SWANSEA

Goal

Lukasz Fabianski: Made a string of fine saves to keep Swansea in the game, particularly in the second half when City cranked up the pressure. One of the away team's best performers on the day. (7/10)

Defence

Angel Rangel: Struggled to deal with Nasri on the left when he was asked to, which made it a tricky afternoon for the Spanish full-back. (6/10)

Ashley Williams: Swansea's captain blocked, kicked and tackled most of what was thrown at him on a day which saw the visitors kept busy throughout. (7/10)

Kyle Bartley: Lacked discipline in the first half with a couple of silly incidents which could have got him sent off. Was more assured after the break, partnering Williams well in the centre of defence. (6/10)

Neil Taylor: Took a nasty blow to the head in the first half, but he did not let it affect his otherwise competent display at left-back. (7/10)

Midfield

Ki Sung-yueng: Impressed as Swansea's anchor in midfield in the first half as he dictated the pace of his team, only for his impact to fade later on. (7/10)

Tom Carroll: Gave a solid performance in midfield, but he did himself an injustice in the second half when he gave the ball away needlessly in the run up to Toure's winner. (6/10)

Gylfi Sigurdsson: Usually Swansea's talisman in midfield, Sigurdsson failed to provide his side with any kind of spark before being taken off with 10 minutes left. (6/10)

Jefferson Montero: Was dogged in midfield, working hard to win the ball back and provide the Swans with a bit of bite against the likes of Toure and Nasri. (7/10)

Nathan Dyer: With Swansea on the back foot for much of the game, the winger found it difficult to get involved in areas high up the pitch. (6/10)

Attack

Wilfried Bony Scored a superb goal to put the visitors ahead before gradually becoming a more withdrawn figure in attack. Lacked service from midfield, which did not help his cause. (6/10)

Substitutes

Jonjo Shelvey: Came off the bench with 25 minutes left and looked enthusiastic. Had one effort on goal which saw him blaze a volley high over the crossbar. (6/10)

Mo Barrow: Transformed Swansea's attacking potential when he was introduced on 77 minutes. Used his pace and strength to trouble the champions down the right side. (7/10)

Bafetimbi Gomis: Gave the visitors a bigger physical presence in attack during the final stages, but his biggest contribution was with five minutes left when he poked the ball wide after being put through on goal. (6/10)


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Stevan Jovetic of Manchester City scores his goal during the Barclays Premier League match between Manchester City and Swansea City at Etihad Stadium on November 22, 2014
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Match Analysis: Man City 2-1 Swansea
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