Match Reflection: Swansea 0 - 0 Manchester City

Drab draw as City fail to win in Wales again

By Aaron Leggott

Roberto Mancini and Michael Laudrup came face to face once again as their teams produced a fairly uninspiring game in a typical end of season performance.

Manchester City's season ended a fortnight ago after Manchester United secured the title, whilst the Swans have faded off ever since their Capital One Cup success in February. 

Both sides had a number of chances but the lack of incisiveness from both parties ensured that Joe Hart and Michel Vorm were rarely tested.

Official MCFC Facebook

Samir Nasri did well to work an opening within the first ten minutes, firing his effort over the bar as the Blues looked to consolidate second position in the league. Swansea started off slowly but eventually started to come into the game and both Michu and Pablo Hernandez had good chances - but neither were able to give the home side a lead as they unleashed their finishes wide of Hart's goal. 

City's best chance of the game came moments after Hernandez blew Swansea's best chance - a Gareth Barry's cross into the box found Nasri unmarked, but the Frenchman shot straight at Vorm. 

Gareth Barry in action vs Swansea
Official MCFC Facebook

It was a very quiet half from both sides and Roberto Mancini decided to make a tactical change at half time as Edin Dzeko replaced Yaya Toure, and it almost paid off immediately after a counter attack led by David Silva saw the Bosnian put through on goal, but he was unable to create anything and the move came to a halt.  

However, chances were limited throughout the second half and despite long spells of domination, City rarely tested Vorm. 

Luke Moore replaced Michu on 70 minutes, but he was unable to repeat his heroics of last season when he grabbed the winner in this fixture as the striker never really saw much of the ball. 

City's best chances came with ten minutes remaining as both Dzeko and Silva found themselves unmarked in the box but both fluffed their chances horribly and it remained goalless in a drab end of season fixture. 

Below are highlights from the goalless draw:

Stats

                            City                                                                                      Swansea

                             44%                                   Possession                                     56%

                            12 (8)                               Shots (on target)                              7 (1)

                               4                                        Corners                                          4

                              10                                          Fouls                                           9

                                                                      Match Stats

What did Mancini say?

Remember to follow us on Twitter and like us on Facebook.

You can also follow Aaron on Twitter: @aaron_leggott

(c) The Sky Blue View 2013