Lacklustre City edge Swansea

Manchester City emerged from a
European hangover to maintain their
unbeaten league record with a 1-0
defeat of Swansea at the Etihad.
Second-best for 45 minutes as a
subdued home support took stock of
their side's Champions League
troubles, City improved after half-time
and took the points thanks to a Carlos
Tevez goal (61).
The Argentine's first in nine games
delivered just a second win in five
home games, and the impression
remains that Roberto Mancini's
champions are some way from hitting
last season's stride despite sitting just
a point off top spot.
And there was further discomfort for
the manager when Micah Richards
followed Swansea goalkeeper Michel
Vorm in departing on a stretcher with
what appeared a serious injury.
Mancini went with four at the back
after his brief flirtation with three
centre-backs at Ajax brought a baffled
response, but City's defenders looked
ill-at-ease even in their favoured 4-4-2
formation.
The visitors made the better chances,
and only some uncharacteristically
hesitant finishing from Michu
prevented the home side paying for
the kind of careless defending which
characterised the midweek defeat in
Holland.
Twice before the break Richards got
round from right-back in the nick of
time to cover his wayward colleagues,
and twice more Michu found it all too
easy to latch on to through balls from
midfield.
Sadly for the Spaniard his emphatic
finish past Joe Hart was ruled out for
offside, and when Ki Sung-Yueng sent
him away again a heavy touch allowed
Hart to intervene.
Swansea had not kept a clean sheet
since the season's second weekend,
but it took City 38 minutes to muster
anything like a shot on target and even
then Tevez's low effort was easy for
Vorm.
Michu again picked out Hart with a
headed chance after the break, but
Mancini's half-time rocket had an effect
and Tevez's next attempt was
altogether more successful as his
dipping 20-yarder defeated Vorm's
dive.
The keeper's awkward landing ended
his involvement, and Richards then
went down clutching his knee -
worryingly, with no opponent in the
vicinity.
Lengthy treatment for both left
Swansea 12 minutes to find an
equaliser at the end of the Premier
League's longest game, but it was
Mario Balotelli who came closest to a
second goal with the last kick.