Premier League: Swansea 1 Manchester City 0

11 March 2012 17:26

Manchester City surrendered top place in the Premier League after a 1-0 defeat to Swansea at Liberty Stadium.

Brendan Rodgers' Swansea had the better of the chances throughout the match and should have lead early on only for Joe Hart to save a Scott Sinclair penalty.

The hosts' valiant display was rewarded late on when Luke Moore headed Wayne Routledge's cross into the net for the winner.

City defender Micah Richards had a late effort disallowed for offside as Roberto Mancini's side were usurped atop the league standings by rivals Manchester United, who were 2-0 winners over West Brom.

Swansea were given an early chance to take the lead when Routledge was brought down in the area by Hart and referee Lee Mason pointed to the spot. Sinclair took a stuttered run up before producing a tame penalty which was easily saved by Hart.

City were unable to create any meaningful chances in the first half as Swansea controlled the midfield, while Ashley Williams and Steven Caulker marked Mario Balotelli out of the game. The visitors' best efforts came for set pieces and long-range shots, neither of which troubled Michel Vorm.

Mancini's side came out strongly after the interval and threatened immediately through Sergio Aguero, who beat his marker before firing a vicious shot at goal which went just wide of the post.

Rodgers' side came close to grabbing the lead when Danny Graham fired a ball across the face of goal, but no one was on hand to tap the ball home.

Swansea remained resilient and were rewarded for their play when Moore headed Routledge's cross into the top corner past a stranded Hart in the 83rd minute.

Richards thought he had won City a point late when he headed the ball into goal, but linesman Sian Massey raised her flag for offside.

Mancini’s side pressed for an equaliser but were unable to find a way through the Swansea defence as they dropped vital points in the Premier League title race.