EFL Cup:

Swansea City 1–2 Manchester City

Pep Guardiola continued his 100% winning start in all competitions since taking the reigns at Manchester City as second half goals from Gael Clichy and Aleix Garcia put the EFL Cup holders into the third round at the expense of Swansea.

In truth, Guardiola's much changed side never had to hit top gear - although endured a nervy final minute after substitute Gylfi Sigurdsson pulled one back for the home side.

The atmosphere inside the Liberty Stadium was low key in the early stages, as was the action itself with the only highlight a mishit clearance by City keeper Willy Caballero that Jack Cork was unable to capitalise on.

The visitors had their first opening when Angelino Tasende half volleyed wide from Pablo Zabaleta’s cross – before Swansea were gifted the half’s best chance.

Again Caballero looked uncertain as he gifted possession to Swansea record signing Borja Baston, but he could only blast his effort straight back at the keeper who duly tipped it over.

The Argentine keeper continued to look shaky with the ball at his feet, and then was grateful to returning captain Vincent Kompany, who cut out Neil Taylor’s low cross with Baston ready to pounce.

At the other end, Jay Fulton’s slack pass was pounced on by Aleix Garcia, who broke down the right and then saw his driven cross diverted goalwards by Swansea centre back Mike van der Hoorn – but keeper Kristoffer Nordfeldt prevented an own goal with a smart save.

A Garcia corner was then met by Sane at the back post – but he failed to get a clean connection on his shot and Nordfelft saved easily.

Early in the second half Baston went for the spectacular from the edge of the area but his overhead kick from Cork's cross drifted tamely wide - before City brought an uninspired contest to life.

A flowing counter attack saw Angelino Tasende play in Gael Clichy, whose shot deflected off Taylor and wrong footed Nordfeldt for the opening goal.

The Swansea keeper then had to be off his line quickly to deny Sane - before another City error at the back almost gifted Franceso Guidolin's men an equaliser.

The Italian had riased eyebrows before the game by selecting defender Kyle Naughton on the right wing, and he was replaced just after the hour mark by Sigurdsson.

And moments later, John Stones ran himself into trouble in the City area and the Icelander nipped in, only to see his driven effort strike the legs of Caballero.

But then on 68 minutes, it was 0-2, as Jesus Navas' pull back was met by Garcia, who placed a first time shot into the bottom corner.

City substitute Kevin De Bruyne then tested Nordfeldt from the edge of the area, and despite Fulton seeing his angled effort blocked by Caballero at the other end, the contest appeared to be petering out.

However, with two minutes left, a Sigurdsson free kick deflected into the path of Jordi Amat, who was denied by the onrushing Caballero - and in injury time Swansea did strike when Sigurdsson slid home a Barrow cross.

It made for a frantic few seconds, especially after Kompany appeared to limp off after the goal, but City held out to book their passage into round three.

In his post-match press conference, Guardiola insisted it was too early to make a judgement on Kompany's injury, but said he was pleased with his side's display.

"It was a difficult draw away at another Premier League club and we needed to give a number of players a rest.

"But the youngsters who came in played well and I think we controlled the game until the final moments."

He added his squad would remain in South Wales until the weekend, with the same sides meeting in the Premier League at the Liberty on Saturday.

Guidolin meanwhile, said he felt his team deserved extra time.

"My team played well and I think we deserved a draw on the balance of the game.

"Saturday will be more difficult again but I'm optimistic after tonight."

Swansea City: Kritoffer Nordfeldt, Angel Rangel, Mike Van Der Hoorn, Jordi Amat, Neil Taylor, Kyle Naughton (Gylfi Sigurdsson 61), Jack Cork (Leroy Fer 55), Leon Britton (capt), Jaay Fulton, Wayne Routledge, Borja Baston (Modou Barrow 75).

Subs not used: Gerhard Tremmel, Fernando Llorente, Federico Fernandez, Stephen Kingsley.

Manchester City: Willy Caballero, Pablo Zabaleta, Vincent Kompany (capt), John Stones, Gael Clichy, Fernando, Aleix Garcia (Tosin Adarabioyo 90), Jesus Navas, Angelino Tasende (Kevin De Bruyne 58), Leroy Sane, Kelechi Iheanacho (Brahim Diaz 80).

Subs not used: Angus Gunn, Bacary Sagna, Fernandinho, Pablo Maffeo.

Referee: Keith Stroud.

Assistants: John Flynn and Mark Pottage.

Fourth official: Tim Robinson.

  • There was extra support from Pembrokeshire for Swansea last night, as Milford Haven Secondary School took 84 pupils plus staff up to the Liberty Stadium on a School trip.