Another Monday, and a fifth week in a row we can start by reflecting on a City win.
Feels good, eh?
Always enjoyable to search through the printed and digital media reports following a positive result and today is no exception. Plenty of praise for Manuel Pellegrini’s men flows through the many words written in the Liberty Stadium press box, so let’s get started shall we? .
Elsewhere then, and let us get straight to the Telegraph, who have reserved the biggest slice of acclaim for Joe Hart and that jaw-dropping save.
Jeremy Wilson writes: “Six goals, including a brace from that perennially restless birthday boy Yaya Touré, but it was a moment of gravity-defying goalkeeping that decided this match and will live longest in the memory.
“Manchester City were leading 3-2 and weathering a period of intense pressure when, in the 81st minute, Federico Fernández headed what looked like a certain equaliser that would have kept Swansea City’s European hopes alive and left some doubt lingering over Manchester City’s place in the Champions League next season. Joe Hart, though, simply delivered a save that was extraordinary on three different levels.
“There was the speed of his reactions, the sheer athleticism of his acrobatic jump and, most impressive of all, there was the awareness to adjust his outstretched hand mid-air to guide the ball above the bar.
“It was among the very best saves in Premier League history and also a fitting way to seal a win that guarantees Manchester City’s place in the group phase of the Champions League.”
Amen. We spoke to the man of the moment following the final whistle – hear his reaction here.
Moving on then, and the Manchester Evening News – via the keyboard of City reporter Stuart Brennan – has paid tribute to a multitude of players rather than singling out one.
‘Tis a team game after all!
It probably won’t surprise you that Yaya Toure is the focus, but also some deserved recognition for the usual suspects, Sergio Aguero and David Silva. No arguments from me.
Brennan reports: “Yaya will be remembered for his two goals in this game – the first a typical snap shot from a seemingly impossible position that took a nick off defender Ashley Williams and surprised keeper Lukasz Fabianski.
“The second was vintage Toure, surging past Jack Cork, brushing aside the Swans midfielder and smashing a low shot under Fabianski’s dive.
“But he showed so much more – and those City fans who were moaning at his inclusion ahead of Fernando before this game were soon quiet again!
“It was an excellent, entertaining end-of season cracker, both teams intent on attacking, and City simply out-gunned the Swans in the end, even though we had the rarity of Sergio Aguero not getting on the scoresheet when four goals were bagged.
“Kun may not have added to his 31 goals, but he still played a big part in this victory, his movement dragging Swansea around, and his lightning break from a Swansea corner opening up the defence before he played in Milner for the second.
“Yaya was the power behind the win, but yet again it was David Silva who was a delight to watch, slipping past defenders like a thief in the night, the ball glued to his foot, the brain sharp as a tack, the understanding with his team-mates almost psychic after nearly five years at the club.”
I think we have time for one more…
To the DSSC then, and that particular report also highlights the contributions of the usual suspects who have been there and done that at this level for years – the majority lifting the Premier League trophy twice in the last four years.
A word or two for Wilfried Bony, but a few (hundred) more for Toure, Milner, Hart and Lampard.
Scribes Raith Al-Samarrai:“A good day for the old blood and, finally, some signs of life from the new. Major surgery is likely to be performed on Manchester City's squad of aging men this summer and it will come as some relief to Manuel Pellegrini that a return to Wales stirred memories of past habits in Wilfried Bony.
“He was on the bench here and scored the goal that sealed City's fifth straight win and qualification for the Champions League group stages.
“That goal led Pellegrini to say 'I am sure we bought the player we need', but the truth is this match was won by the old guard. That was always going to be likely for team with only two outfield players under the age of 29.
“But it was the contributions of Yaya Toure, James Milner and Joe Hart that won this magnificent game after City initially threw away a two-goal lead.
“Hart arguably stole the show with a phenomenal save from Federico Fernandez at 3-2 up.
“The save made the difference between a win and a draw for City, allowing some gloss at the end of what has been a difficult season.
“Sergio Aguero rightly had a goal disallowed for offside, but City's struggle for midfield was being won by Toure and Frank Lampard.
“Both those men proved that they can still turn games.
“For Toure, it was the opener. Aguero took possession on the right and squared to David Silva, who played in Toure. His shot deflected off Ashley Williams' shin and squirmed between Lukasz Fabianski's hands. 'He's allowed one error,' Monk said. 'He has been brilliant.'
“There was more art in the second, the creation of which was a masterpiece of quick thinking and perfect execution from Lampard. Defending on the edge of his own area, he hit a half volley 60 yards into the path of Aguero on the left and from there the striker sucked Jazz Richards out of position and played in James Milner. He turned inside Taylor, who had come across to cover, and finished superbly. “
Save of the season from Joe Hart?
Manchester City's Joe Hart pulled off a world-class save to deny Swansea's Federico Fernandez from scoring with a bullet header.
http://www1.skysports.com/watch/video/s ... m-joe-hart
Wilfried Bony scored on his return to Swansea as Manchester City secured a place in the Champions League group stages by winning a thriller.
Yaya Toure opened the scoring for City with a deflected effort, before James Milner slid in a stylish second.
Gylfi Sigurdsson pulled one back just before half-time with a lovely strike, and then Bafetimbi Gomis equalised.
Press enter to return or tab to continue.'Attractive' Man City win pleases Pellegrini
But Toure squeezed a second under Lukasz Fabianski, before substitute Bony rolled in a fourth via the post.
The result ensured a top-three Premier League finish for Manchester City but puts Europa League qualification beyond eighth-placed Swansea.
Garry Monk's side seemed content to soak up pressure and try to hit the visitors on the break in the first half but still created chances.
Gomis, who came off the bench to score the winner at Arsenal last Monday, looked dangerous in his first start for a month, forcing an early save from Joe Hart.
Nathan Dyer was unlucky not to open the scoring after dispossessing Eliaquim Mangala, as Hart flung himself across goal to turn the shot behind for a corner.
Toure proved more clinical as he scored his 50th Premier League goal with a low shot, which deflected off Ashley Williams and past Fabianski at his near post.
Milner doubled their lead as he finished off a swift counter attack with a low finish.
It seemed as if that had knocked the stuffing out of the hosts - but right on half-time, Sigurdsson drove the ball into the corner of the net from the edge of the area to give Swansea hope.
The visitors continued to push forward, with Frank Lampard and Jesus Navas forcing saves from Fabianski, before Gomis drilled the ball past Hart to equalise for the home side.
But Toure's second of the day put Manchester City back in front.
The Ivorian received the ball midway inside the Swansea half, ran towards goal and unleashed a low shot into the corner of the net.
Swansea continued to press for an equaliser and Hart did well to hold a Gomis header.
But Bony - returning to the Liberty Stadium for the first time since his £28m move to City in January - put the result beyond doubt, firing in a shot that found the net after hitting the inside of the post and rolling across into the opposite corner.
Swansea manager Garry Monk:
"I think we've shown quite clearly with the run of form we've been on that we wanted to get into Europe. "We pushed all the way to try to get there and it would have been a great reward for the season we've had.
"But hopefully now we have a chance to recruit properly and try to surpass what we have done this year in the Premier League, although we know it will be tough."
"We didn't quite get a result, but I think we have shown what a strong group we've got and hopefully next season we can be even better."
Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini:
"We will analyse the season when it finishes but I think it is important to understand you must play every game with 100 per cent intensity. In the Premier League it is very difficult to win.
"For our team it was always our target to win the title, (until) the moment the mathematics said we couldn't do it.
"Joe is the number one goalkeeper in England and I think he has improved a lot this season. Bringing Willy Caballero was good for him, giving him good competition and also working with the goalkeeping coach
Pellegrini says Liverpool target Milner has a role at the Etihad
MANUEL PELLEGRINI has told James Milner staying at Manchester City would be best for the midfielder's career after his goal helped them beat Swansea and close in on a second-placed finish.
Milner calmly slotted home City's second at the Liberty Stadium, to give them a two-goal advantage following Yaya Toure's opener.
Gylfi Sigurdsson and Bafetimbi Gomis got Swansea back into the game but Toure, who like Milner is far from certain to be at the Etihad next season, put the visitors back in front before Wilfried Bony marked his return to south Wales with City's fourth to end Swansea's European hopes.
The performances of Milner and Toure will have given Pellegrini plenty of food for thought as to how his side may cope without the pair if they depart for pastures new.
And the Chilean is keen for the England international, who is thought to be leaning towards a Bosman move to Liverpool, to agree a new deal and remain part of his plans.
He said: "James can play 10 positions and always do well. It is a decision James must take at the end of the season as to what is best for his future.
"He is an important player for our team because he is an intelligent player, who can play in several positions and always gives 100 per cent.
"I can think that being at Manchester City is best for him, but it is important what he thinks. I want to keep him."
Manchester City boss Pellegrini confirms Toure talks at the end of the season
Manchester City will sit down with Yaya Toure at the end of the season to discuss his future with the club, boss Manuel Pellegrini has revealed
They Ivorian, 32, has failed to reproduce last year’s exceptional form, which helped the Blues with the Premier League for a second time in three years.
Rumours of his unhappiness at the Eithad Stadium have also continued from the end of the last campaign, and his agent has claimed it is 90 per cent certain he will exit the club this summer.
But despite Dimitri Seluk’s comments, Pellegrini has insisted they will only talk about his future once they have played their final match.
“I don’t talk about speculation,” he said. “It’s just words that his agent has said. I don’t know why he’s talking in that way.
“Yaya Toure is here and happy. We’re not talking about next year. After the game against Southampton we will sit and talk about the future with the player, the owner and the directors.
“At the moment we are just focussing on finishing in second place.”
Manchester City given hands off warning by Wolfsburg over 'unsellable' £40million transfer target Kevin De Bruyne
Manchester City have been warned off a move for £40million rated Wolfsburg midfielder Kevin De Bruyne by the club's CEO who called the playmaker 'unsellable'.
City are looking to strengthen their midfield and have identified De Bruyne as a target but CEO Klaus Allofs has issued a hands off warning to any suitors.
'At the moment, I'd call him unsellable,' he told German TV show Doppelpass.
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De Bruyne signed for Chelsea in January 2012 but remained with Genk for the rest of the season before returning to west London, only to be loaned out to Werder Bremen for the 2012-13 season where he scored 10 goals in 33 appearances.
The Belgian joined Wolfsburg in January 2014 in an £18million move after just nine appearances for the Blues.
He has netted 15 times in all competitions for Wolfsburg this season and equalled the record for the most assists in a Bundesliga season with his 20th of the season against Borussia Dortmund.
Wolfsburg CEO Klaus Allofs is confident Wolfsburg can keep hold of De Bruyne this summer
Despite interest from several clubs, Allofs is confident the midfielder will be a Wolfsburg player next season.
'I am 100 per cent convinced he will play for us next year,' he added.
'However, in football things can develop so rapidly, that you can't say this now.'
Liverpool revive transfer interest in Manchester City's Stevan Jovetic as Brendan Rodgers plots strike-force shake-up
The Reds are set to bid £12m for the Montenegro international after struggling for goals this season, with Balotelli and Lambert expected to leave
Liverpool boss Rodgers is launching a cut-price £12million bid for Montenegro international forward Jovetic, who will be allowed to leave the Etihad this summer.
Rodgers is determined to shake up his strike-force this summer with £16m flop Mario Balotelli, a target for Sampdoria, and local-lad Rickie Lambert, who is being linked with promoted Bournemouth, both set to leave Anfield.
Jovetic joined City two years ago from Fiorentina for £22m but has failed to establish himself as a regular and this season was axed from their Champions League squad for the competition's knockout phase.
City want to clear-out their squad too, with fellow striker Edin Dzeko also likely to go - German club Wolfsburg are ready to make a move and he's also been linked with Chelsea as a replacement for 36-year-old club legend Didier Drogba.
Rodgers has already admitted his summer priority is a top-class striker and Liverpool have been keen on Jovetic in the past - as we told you in February.
The 25-year-old would represent a major signing as he could play alongside Daniel Sturridge when the England international is fit again, and also offer competition and back-up.
Liverpool are also expected to land Burnley striker Danny Ings once his contract expires this summer.
Series A champions and European Cup finalists Juventus are hoping to take Jovetic, who has also been linked with Inter Milan, back to Italy but Liverpool are already lining up the deal.
Chelsea are weighing up a surprise move for Manchester City midfielder Yaya Toure, according to The Express.
The Ivorian has struggled for form in the second half of the season, and reportedly feels undervalued at the Emirates.
The player's agent Dimitri Seluk said earlier this month that the 32-year-old is '90 per cent certain' to leave the Etihad in the summer, and that appears to have put Chelsea on alert.
City though would prefer to sell Toure to a team from outside the Premier League, and both Inter Milan and Paris Saint-Germain are interested.
Former Southampton striker Rickie Lambert is being lined up for a return to the south coast with Premier League new boys Bournemouth after the 33-year-old struggled for game time at Liverpool this year. (Daily Mirror)
Former captain Gary Neville has backed winger Angel Di Maria to come good for Manchester United following an inconsistent first season in the Premier League for the 27-year-old Argentina international. (Sky Sports understands)
Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has criticised greedy parents and agents who demand too much for their children too early in their career. (Daily Star)
Mourinho has also said the rise of 19-year-old midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek will give more inspiration to youngsters in the club's junior side than the FA Youth Cup and Uefa Youth League titles. (Guardian)
Leicester keeper Kasper Schmeichel believes his boss Nigel Pearson should be manager of the year for helping guide his side clear of the Premier League relegation zone. (Guardian)
Jordan Henderson feels Liverpool's players let fellow midfielder Steven Gerrard down in his final game at Anfield on Saturday which ended in defeat. (Daily Star)
Dick Advocaat will quit as Sunderland manager at the end of the season - even if he saves the club from Premier League relegation. (Sun - subscription)
Manager Steve Bruce wants to explore the possibility of weekly in-house drugs testing at Hull City after midfielder Jake Livermore was suspended following his positive test for cocaine. (DSSC)
Birmingham City are interested in former Arsenal striker Jay Emmanuel-Thomas, 24, who has been released by Bristol City, but face competition from Leeds, Nottingham Forest and Wigan. (Birmingham Mail)
Crystal Palace manager Alan Pardew says there is no need to sell their most important players this summer, despite interest in 25-year-old midfielder Yannick Bolasie and defender Scott Dann, 28. (Times)
Everton manager Roberto Martinez has dismissed suggestions that handing 19-year-old Brendan Galloway his Blues debut against West Ham puts the future of left-back Luke Garbutt, 21, in doubt. (Liverpool Echo)
The London Evening Standard reports that former Italy captain Fabio Cannavaro paid tribute on Facebook to Liverpool's Steven Gerrard after he played his final match at Anfield on Saturday. But Cannavaro posted a picture from the 2002 Italy v England game of him challenging for the ball with Frank Lampard, rather than Gerrard.
Manchester United defender Phil Jones's most notable contribution to his side's 1-1 draw against Arsenal was arguably his strange low header which got the Twittersphere chatting.
After going off injured during that game amid speculation about his future and a possible return to Spain, Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea tweeted: "Thank you very much indeed for your support. You're unbelievable. I hope the injury is not too serious."
Newcastle striker Papiss Cisse will have to pay for his Bentley car to be released after it was seized by police following alleged motoring offences. (Newcastle Chronicle)
Wayne Rooney's youngest son Klay, who turns two next week, showed he could be a Manchester United star of the future after joining his father and big brother Kai on the Old Trafford pitch after Sunday's draw against Arsenal and scoring a goal at the Stretford End. (Manchester Evening News)
A Brazilian newspaper has said their national football team has been picked by its commercial partners since 2006, with only players who are "marketable" enough called up. (DSSC)
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