A hat-trick from Rabbi Matondo and a strike from Jeremie Frimpong were enough to overcome the challenge of the Welsh hosts and move Paul Harsley’s men to the top of the Premier League 2 table… at least for 48 hours.
The manner of City’s second away win of the season in the league also served as the perfect way to prepare for next Tuesday’s second UEFA Youth League group clash away at Hoffenheim.
What happened
City were seeking to build on last Saturday’s league win over Derby and the midweek Checkatrade Trophy triumph at Crewe but the early exchanges proved a cagey affair in South Wales with chances at a minimum.
Gradually though City found their collective feet and we took the lead on 38 minutes when Matondo smartly finished off Tom Dele-Bashiru’s smart assist.
However, the lead only lasted two minutes with Swansea providing an instant riposte through Aaron Lewis’s 40th minute goal.
There were chances at both ends early in the second half before Matondo helped City seize the initiative once more on 74 minutes, pouncing to bag his second goal of the game from Ian Poveda’s pin-point through-ball.
With Swansea pushing forward in search of another reply, City repelled the hosts and then struck in devastating fashion once again on 82 minutes to all but secure the win, Frimpong finishing off after good work by substitute Ben Knight.
And the Blues then rounded off a highly satisfactory afternoon’s work deep into stoppage time when Matondo sealed a sterling day’s work by claiming his personal hat-trick, Poveda providing the assist once again.
How we lined up
Curtis Anderson was in goal and he was shielded by a back four of Alpha Dionkou, Taylor Harwood-Bellis, Cameron Humphreys and Jeremie Frimpong.
In midfield were Adrian Bernabe, Iker Pozo, Ian Poveda and Tom Dele-Bashiru with Henri Ogunby and Rabbi Matondo deployed up-front.
What it means
A fourth Premier League 2 victory of the season was enough to fire Paul Harsley’s side to the top of the table with City having collected 13 points from seven games.
However, Everton, Arsenal and Leicester, who are all on 11 points from six games, play on Monday so could overtake us depending on results.
What’s next
City will fly out to Germany on Monday to prepare for Tuesday’s second UEFA Youth League group clash away at Hoffenheim.
