Fifteen matches have passed since Swansea City last beat Manchester City and that was in 2012 when a 1-0 win from the head of sub Luke Moore settled matters. Those who recall that game will smile because the temperamental Mario Balotelli was booked when he booted the ball away after a decision by referee Lee Mason. Scott Sinclair missed a penalty and the Swans had the best defensive record with Liverpool in the Premier League.
Halcyon days.
Here were the teams that day. The last time the Swans beat Man City.
To many this game doesn’t mean a lot, even for those Swans followers who are regulars most weeks. Many haven’t joined the throng and queues for tickets. This means we will see a whole load of fair weather supporters in the stadium. Glory hunting for the armchair fan is a top sport for many. Those that stretch their legs when a ‘big game’ is round the corner are one thing - at least they aren’t depriving the many who haven’t bothered with this fixture.
In 2016 the Swans lost at home to Manchester City in the League Cup third round. That ended 1-2. Maybe it’s time for the tables to be turned in a game which most certainly is of interest but carries little if any importance overall.
Of course games against Manchester City haven’t gone the Swans way especially in the FA Cup. Many will recall the 2-3 loss in that competition back in 2019. That was a home quarter final tie which even though the Swans had VAR from their recent relegation from the Premier League they were not allowed to use it. Had the game been at Manchester City that FA Cup year it would have been allowed. As we can see from the observations of top journalist Jack Skelton (below) this was a tie many felt the Swans should have won. Had they done so it would have been a Wembley semi final appearance for the Swans. On that occasion it wasn’t fine margins it was the ridiculous decision making by referee Andre Marriner who was already and continued to achieve clown like status during his refereeing career. Controversy followed him everywhere, even sending off the wrong player in a game in 2014.
It made a mockery of realistic and equal times in cup competitions, but that wasn’t so when the teams last met in the FA Cup in the fifth round in February 2021. This game has been quickly forgotten under the glare of the 2019 game. The Swans at this point were under the guidance of Steve Cooper and lost 1-3 at the then named Liberty. It was a fairer reflection on the game which was officiated by Peter Banks. This was Morgan Whitaker’s debut for the Swans, and he scored.
With the game sold out unless you fancy an online punt for a ticket at the ‘football ticket net’ website with tickets ranging from £85 to £225 of course. We can only hope some of these big game liggers who can’t shut up about this game return to show some real support for the Swans when it matters. If that’s you then please take offence. We will be supplying directions to the Swansea.com this coming week.
More on this game and indeed the more important fixture against Charlton Athletic next Saturday (3pm)