Hello and welcome to Sports Mole's live text coverage of the Premier League meeting between Manchester City and Swansea City at the Etihad Stadium. This is a match that will have a big say on events at both ends of the table, as the struggling Swans face off against title favourites Man City.

It really has been a tumultuous few weeks for the visitors, who head north for this afternoon's contest without a permanent manager in charge. The fanbase was split down the middle following what seemed to be the inevitable sacking of Garry Monk a few days ago, with the search for a new boss continuing to rumble on.

Man City are not exactly on their finest run under Manuel Pellegrini, either, having won just three of their last seven games in all competitions, yet they head into this match sitting in a promising position both at home and in Europe. On paper this is a mismatch of sorts, then, but those who have followed the Premier League closely this term know that anything can happen.

TEAM NEWS!

MANCHESTER CITY XI: Hart; Sagna, Otamendi, Mangala, Clichy; Toure, Fernandinho; Navas, Silva, Sterling; Bony

SWANSEA CITY XI: Fabianski; Rangel, Fernandez, Williams, Taylor; Britton, Cork; Ki, Sigurdsson, Routledge; Ayew

Alan Curtis will lead out the Swans for today's daunting trip to The Etihad, a little over a decade after last taking caretaker charge of the club. Back then he was naming a side to face Scunthorpe United in a fourth-tier clash; now the stakes are just that little bit higher with Premier League points to play for.

The stand-in boss has made three changes to the starting lineup as Kyle Naughton, Kyle Bartley and Bafetimbi Gomis all make way. Angel Rangel, Federico Fernandez and Jack Cork are the men to come into the side, with Curtis looking to freshen things up slightly on the back of that disappointing defeat to Leicester City last weekend.

The absence of Bony means Andre Ayew will be tasked with leading the line, with support provided from midfield by Ki Sung-yueng, Gylfi Sigurdsson and Wayne Routledge. Certainly an interesting selection decision made by Cork, but it is one that could just work at the home of the two-time Premier League champions.

The big news as far as the home side are concerned is that Kevin de Bruyne misses out on the starting lineup. The Belgian has looked just a tad jaded over the past few games, particularly against Stoke City last weekend, and he is afforded a little breather from the off here today.

As revealed earlier this week, Vincent Kompany and Sergio Aguero both miss out to give Pellegrini a real headache at both ends of the pitch. City certainly have the adequate options to replace the duo, but they really are key figures in this title-chasing side. Wilfried Bony, as expected, is handed a start up top where he will be looking to make an impression against his former suitors.

BENCH WATCH!

MANCHESTER CITY SUBS: Caballero, Kolarov, Demichelis, Delph, De Bruyne, Iheanacho, Roberts

SWANSEA CITY SUBS: Nordfeldt, Naughton, Amat, Grimes, Montero, Barrow, Gomis

Bony has scored four goals in the last three meetings between these two sides, incidentally, so it comes as no great surprise to see him handed a start. Martin Demichelis has recovered from a slight knock to take up a place on the bench, meanwhile, with Pellegrini instead favouring the Otamendi-Mangala pairing at the back.

Franck Tabanou was the Swans' only real injury problem heading into this game, so Alan Curtis certainly had options to choose from. On top of those three players dropped for this one, Jefferson Montero is also left among the visitors' subs. Jonjo Shelvey had been pushing for a recall, only for a slight calf strain to see him sidelined.

Manuel Pellegrini makes for changes to his Manchester City starting lineup in all, with influential figures Sergio Aguero and Vincent Kompany still among the absentees. Stand-in Swansea City boss Alan Curtis has made three changes, meanwhile, as he looks to put his own spin on things for this tough opening assignment.

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So the Swans take on Man City without a manager and with just one win in their last 11 games. Chairman Huw Jenkins claimed that he had little choice but to swing the axe earlier this week when bringing Monk's 13-year association with the club to an end, meaning that the search for a new boss must now begin. Many have been linked with the job - one that, despite the Swans' current perilous position, is surely one that many would like to get their teeth into - including Man United assistant Ryan Giggs.

The debate over who would be best suited to the position is one for another day, but supporters of the Welsh outfit can rest assured that Jenkins will do all that he can to make the best appointment possible. City have a knack of selecting the right man; from Kenny Jackett and Roberto Martinez, through to Brendan Rodgers and most recently Monk. While the latter may have ultimately ended his tenure on a low note, it must be remembered that he did guide the Swans to a league-high finish last term.

That top-eight finish of last season, and indeed the strong start to this term, looks a million miles away at this point in time as the Swans continue to struggle just above the relegation zone. The gap between themselves and the bottom three has been closing week by week, and now just one point is the difference between themselves and 18th-placed Newcastle United. Wins, it is fair to say, are desperately needed if a real scrap for survival is to be avoided.

Defeat to Leicester really did prove to be the last straw for many beleaguered fans, who saw their side torn apart by the pacesetters at times. The Foxes may be flying high and therefore full of confidence, but the way they continually got in behind their opponents made for tough viewing at times. In the end a 3-0 defeat was probably a disservice to the way the contest panned out over the 90 minutes - it should have been more.

Curtis claimed earlier this week that the playing squad "let Monk down" with that performance, and many of the showings in the week beforehand. It may too late to change that, but the Swans do now have a chance to potentially turn the corner by picking up a positive result at The Etihad today. With two key home fixtures to come either side of Christmas, this is truly a huge and pivotal moment in the club's recent history.

DID YOU KNOW? Swansea have failed to find the net in seven of their last 11 Premier League outings, including four of the last five. It is not that surprising, then, to see Alan Curtis go with a different option in Ayew as the focal point in attack this afternoon. The visitors come up against a Man City side who have won 13 of their last 15 games on home soil.

It has been a tough few months for Swansea City, who travel to the Etihad stadium on the back of just one win in their last 11 league outings. Alan Curtis is tasked with leading the Welsh outfit this afternoon, some 11 years after doing likewise in a fourth-tier fixture against Scunthorpe United.

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As for hosts Man City, they must look to find some festive momentum if they are to finally wrestle control at the top of the table. Last weekend provided a fine opportunity to do just that, as a lunchtime kickoff at Stoke City could have moved them clear at the summit. A poor 2-0 defeat in that one allowed Leicester City and Arsenal to take claim of the top-two spots, however, and now the Citizens are left playing catch-up once more.

Despite the shaky overall form, which has seen the Citizens win three of their last seven in all competitions, things are still very much on track. Top spot was sealed in Group D in the Champions League in midweek, while there is also a League Cup semi-final to look forward to early in the new year, too. The unpredictable nature of the top flight this time around also means that they are firmly in the hunt for top spot, particularly with Chelsea faltering in the bottom third.

Victory over Borussia Monchengladbach in midweek, inspired in large by the form of Raheem Sterling, was enough to see City set up - on paper, at least - an 'easier' last-16 tie in the new year. That could be a big advantage to help them better their previous best European run, but right now all focus can turn to the Premier League over the next four weeks. Momentum is needed, with Arsenal and Manchester United also joining the hunt alongside surprise package Leicester.

The less said about the defeat at the Britannia last time out the better, really, as the Citizens really were poor. Stoke, it is fair to say, could - and should - have been three or four up at the break. As it turned out, the two goals scored by Marko Arnautovic early on proved to be the only strikes of the game. A better performance is required this afternoon, particularly with Arsenal to come in nine days' time.

That match against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium really is as close to a title showdown as you are going to get this side of the new year, so Pellegrini will be eager to get the likes of Aguero and Kompany back to fitness before then. That could be behind his decision to leave De Bruyne out this afternoon, too, with the Belgian playing an incredible amount of football so far this calendar year.

PREVIOUS MEETINGS! Swansea actually have the better overall record in this fixture, having won 18 and drawn three of the 28 meetings. It is a different matter entirely in recent years, however, as the Citizens have lost just one of the last 10, including four wins on the bounce. This is a match that Yaya Toure in particular likes, thanks to four in his last five against today's visitors.

With eight minutes to go before kickoff in Manchester, let's check out the pre-match thoughts from both camps heading into this big showdown.

Manuel Pellegrini: "I don't think the problem of Swansea was the manager. I am sure he is the same good manager who made a very good season last year. But in football you are never surprised by anything because so many things change."

Alan Curtis: "We all feel - staff and players - that we have let him down and we want to go a small way to rectifying that on Saturday. Some may say it's too late because Garry's already gone, but we also have a massive duty and responsibility to the club and our supporters."

The Garry Monk sacking very much dominating the pre-match questions, then, but that is now very much in the past and both these sides will be fully focused on returning to winning ways in the Premier League this afternoon. A positive start is imperative, you feel, although only one of these teams can pick up the desired result.

The teams have now emerged out of the tunnel and onto the Etihad Stadium turf. Curtis has shaken hands with Pellegrini on the touchline - a real mismatch in terms of pedigree at this level. We should be in for a real entertaining contest, between two sides desperate for the points for different reasons.

As the countdown continues towards kickoff, why not check out the views of the Sports Mole Sofa Team. Some interesting predictions on offer - agree or disagree?

KICKOFF! Swansea looking to pack the midfield, starting with Ayew as the furthest man forward as expected. Man City just knocking the ball around at the back in these opening stages.

A positive start by Man City, with Clichy particularly involved down the left. Swansea just having to soak up some early pressure, which is likely to be the case for large parts this afternoon. The Citizens will have to be particularly wary of the counter.

SAVE! I mentioned the Swansea counter, which has taken just five minutes to come into use. It was a glorious chance for Routledge, who got in behind to latch on to Jack Cork's perfectly-weighted pass, but when in a one-on-one position his shot was kept out by Hart who remained big.

Man City have dominated things in terms of possession, but they have yet to create a single real opening while opponents Swansea just squandered a glorious one-on-one chance. Yaya Toure playing in a deeper role once more this afternoon, which means some more defensive work for Fernandinho alongside him.

Swansea now the side in control, enjoying a real positive spell of possession in the middle third. Cork was caught napping a little, though, allowing Sterling to steal back the ball. Quiet start for the hosts, who have yet to find their attacking groove.

It has been a very balanced game in these opening 11 minutes or so, with both sides taking it in turns to enjoy spells of possession. Still just the once chance at The Etihad, which was wasted by Routledge early on.

SHOT! Man City's first opening of note, which comes courtesy of some good Silva play down the left. The Spaniard was allowed to cut inside far too easily by Britton, before picking out Bony who was allowed just one touch to get his shot away. The effort had little power behind it and Fabianski easily collected down low.

SAVE! Yet again Swansea hit their opponents on the counter, and perhaps should have done better at the end of the move. Routledge used his pace to break clear down the right, with his pullback landing in the path of Sigurdsson to strike on the edge of the box. Hart could only parry it over the bar, as the Swans continue this positive start.

A lively period in this game, then, which ultimately ends with neither side being able to convert their strikes. Only half chances for Bony and Sigurdsson for their respective sides, but it was the Routledge opening earlier in the game which really should have provided the breakthrough.

Huw Jenkins is sitting high up in the stands this afternoon, and it is fair to say that he will be delighted by the way his side have started this game. A really bright response by the visitors on the back of a tough few weeks.

The Citizens enjoying another strong spell on the ball, without truly troubling their opponents. All they have to show for their attacking intents in the opening quarter of this match is one tame Bony strike.

All very telling, but still no way through for the Swans thus far with a quarter of the game now played

Man City in the 2015/16 Premier League. With Vincent Kompany: 8 games, 7 clean sheets. Without Vincent Kompany: 7 games, 0 clean sheets. — Squawka Football (@Squawka) December 12, 2015

It's been very quiet over the past 10 minutes or so. We had two shots on goal in quick succession, yet since then there has been little by the way of action in the final third at both ends. Navas looks to change that by swinging in a decent attempt which Williams heads over the bar.

Bony pounces against his old club to score in this fixture for the fourth time in succession - twice for Swansea and twice for Man City. A corner into the box, coming after Williams headed over that Navas drive, was at a perfect height for the Ivorian to simply nod home. Williams really should have done better, though, just allowing his man to get ahead of him for a free go at goal.

CLOSE! Almost a perfect response by the Swans, as Sigurdsson's nicely-taken free kick from the right is headed narrowly wide of target by Ayew. Man City can't afford to take their foot off the gas, instead needing a second to really pile the misery on their opponents.

Swansea have been on top since that setback, continuing to probe away but coming up against a compact Man City backline. The Swans have probably just about edged this match, in fact, with the scoreline a little harsh in the context of things. One mistake, one goal conceded.

The movement of Routledge is causing Man City more than a few problems between centre-back and full-back, but on this occasion his was marginally offside. The Swans' big problem at the moment is a lack of a target man when getting the ball into the box.

Home supporters are a little disgruntled at the moment following a slack move. The Citizens still not really performing anywhere near their best levels, although they do have a one-goal lead as we enter the final 10 minutes of the half.

Play is constantly being broken up at the moment, with a Navas challenge on Ki seeing Bobby Madley blow his whistle for the umpteenth time. Williams and Sterling just had a minor coming together, which has proved to be the most entertaining aspect of the contest over the past 10 minutes.

SHOT! Sigurdsson's corner has a little too much on it for Hart to deal with, so he instead just punches it as far clear as possible. Man City quickly break up the other end, with Toure making light work of Britton and firing in a shot low and hard for Fabianski to routinely save.

The Citizens crying out for some more creativity, which can be provided by Kevin de Bruyne in the second half. Until then they are just going through the motions in these final stages before the half-time interval.

YELLOW CARD! Sterling almost slipped through on goal, only for Fabianski to read the danger well and scoop up the danger. Navas has probably been the Citizens' best player so far, and his quick feet catches out Taylor who lunges in to earn the game's first caution.

Just the one minute of added time to play at The Etihad. Plenty of attacking opportunities in the opening quarter of the game, but it has been very sombre since the Man City breakthrough.

So Manchester City hold a 1-0 lead over Swansea City at the break, but in truth that scoreline is a little harsh on the visitors. Arguably the first-half's best two chances fell the Swans' way, neither of which they could capitalise on. As it is, Wilfried Bony's goal has proved to be the difference thus far.

Swansea's best chance arrived just a few minutes in, as Routledge was played through only to be thwarted by Hart when given a clean shot on goal. Bony then fired away up the other end soon after, capitalising on Silva's play down the left when being given plenty of time and space to pick out his teammate in a central position.

The nest opening fell to Sigurdsson, who connected well enough with Routledge's pullback on the end of another counter-attacking move, but Hart was once more positioned well to keep the shot out. Then came Bony's breakthrough moment against his former side, getting ahead of Williams to nod home his fourth goal in succession in this fixture.

Toure's shot from range and Ayew's glancing header provided the best openings for a second goal of the afternoon, but neither could find a way through and we therefore go into the break at 1-0. The hosts lacked creativity in that first half, despite their interval lead, so bringing on De Bruyne may be an option.

MANCHESTER CITY SUBS: Caballero, Kolarov, Demichelis, Delph, De Bruyne, Iheanacho, Roberts

SWANSEA CITY SUBS: Nordfeldt, Naughton, Amat, Grimes, Montero, Barrow, Gomis

Wilfred Bony celebrates opening the scoring for his side during the first half. Manchester City hold a slender lead at the break, yet there has been very little between the two teams so far.

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RESTART! We are officially back underway at The Etihad. Pellegrini has made a change at the break, bringing on Fabian Delph for Raheem Sterling.

Swansea have seen a little more of the ball in this second half, which is following a similar rhythm to the first. The Citizens are living dangerously by not putting their foot on the gas - this lead is extremely slender at the moment.

A real scramble inside the Man City box ends with Sigurdsson finally getting a shot away after taking an age to settle himself. The blocked attempt landed at the feet of Ayew, who himself was quickly closed down, yet the offside flag had already been raised.

SAVE! Toure loves taking on free kick's free this range, around 25 yards from goal. It was a little predictable, in truth, aiming to curl the ball back on himself into the top lef, but Fabianski was well positioned to get across and shove the ball to safety.

Taylor looks to be struggling with a groin injury at the moment. Toure takes advantage by going on one of his trademark bursts forward, before smashing his attempt wide of goal. Man City have taken control of the game once more following Swansea's bright start to the half.

SAVE! Well I make that all three of the game's best chances now falling Swansea's way. Sigurdsson was again played through, getting a little fortunate when his intended back-heel deflected back into his path, but his near-post effort was well kept out by Hart.

YELLOW CARD! Bony and Ki go in for a loose ball in midfield, which the latter was always favourite to win. Bony earns a yellow as a result, while the Swansea man hobbles away gingerly.

Very good play by Routledge, who is continuing to cause the home side problems. The winger earns a corner, which is eventually headed clear at the back post. Swansea certainly asking questions of the Citizens, who are just about doing enough to keep their lead intact.

SAVE! Another big save for Hart to make, this time from a Sigurdsson free kick. The strike was swerving a lot in the air, and the Englishman could only get a strong hand to it and hope for the best. In the end it just about cleared the heads of Swansea's players, who must be questioning how they are still behind.

Plenty of nervous fans around the Etihad Stadium already, and we still have 25 minutes to go! Alan Curtis is happy to keep things the same, understandably, while Manuel Pellegrini is reluctant to make his second change. Sigurdsson just tested Hart once more, only for the offside flag to go up.

The Citizens still badly struggling to create anything whatsoever. The visitors have created chances aplenty, but they have failed to find a way past Hart. Pellegrini must surely be thinking about throwing on De Bruyne.

MANCHESTER CITY SUB! De Bruyne does indeed come on, replacing the relatively ineffective David Silva. The Belgian should provide some much-needed attacking threat in the final quarter of this contest.

Wilfried Bony's header a quarter of the way through this match is still the difference after 70 minutes. Swansea have done enough to warrant a point, but Hart has remained strong at the back to deny them on a few occasions.

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Man City have done well over the past 10 minutes or so to restrict Swansea's attacking threat. We are approaching that stage of the game where the struggling visitors will surely throw everything they have at their opponents, which will set up a thrilling finale.

Williams and Fernandez with a couple of important defensive headers at the back. Almost all the game being played in Swansea's half now, so perhaps time for Curtis to roll the dice once again for the final 15 minutes.

Otamendi certainly knows how to score from corners, but it is difficult to tell whether he was glancing this one towards the back post area or on goal. In the end it drifted narrowly wide of the target without a telling touch.

SWANSEA CITY SUBS! Here come the first Swansea changes. Barrow comes on for Routledge, while Montero is on for Britton. Fresh legs and plenty of pace for Swansea, then, which will now ask different questions entirely of the Man City defence.

A clearance falls nicely for Cork, who got his shot away early to see it deflect behind for a corner. Ki looked to have won the header from the resulting set piece, but Hart easily collected. Up the other end, Delph's shot ended well wide of goal. end-to-end stuff now!

Man City unable to keep hold of possession, which is just inviting more and more pressure on themselves. What the home side would do for a second now! The tension is just going to continue to mount right up until the full-time whistle at this rate, as the Swans continue to push forward.

Toure does well to drive forward and relieve the pressure that was beginning to really grow on his side. The Ivorian wins a corner which Otamendi got on the end of, but he fails to convert under pressure from Williams. More changes to come now.

SUBS! Bony has not done an awful lot overall this afternoon, but he has scored what is likely to be the winning goal - job done! Kelechi Iheanacho is on in his place, while Gomis comes on for Ayew up top for the visitors.

DISALLOWED GOAL! Gomis is played through on goal just a minute after coming on, but Hart was bravely out and got to the ball first. The whistle sounded after Gomis made contact with the English stopper, though the travelling fans clearly hadn't heard it blow because they were celebrating when Sigurdsson converted the rebound.

Man City still left to hold on, then, having failed to really get out of first gear all afternoon. Swansea have been the better side, but a failure to take chances looks to have cost them. Two minutes of normal time to play in Manchester.

Swansea drive forward again with real promise and, when a deflected shot fell to Gomis, the forward did very well to get a looping header on goal. Hart was left scrambling a little, but the ball eventually landed on the roof of his net.

Well, well, well. It has been coming all afternoon really, but it has taken until added time for Swansea to finally find a way past Hart. A superb ball from Fernandez at the back gave something for Gomis to run on to, and the striker simply blasted the ball high into the net from an angle. Swansea deserve that.

Oh my! It is the cruellest of blows for a spirited Swansea side, but the biggest of goals for the Citizens. A minute after being pegged back, Toure's shot took a big deflection to take it over the reach of Fabianski. Just how big could that prove to be come next May?!

Swansea throwing everything at their opponents now. A header is heading towards goal but Hart is again the hero to collect. More late drama? Just seconds remaining...

Absolutely incredible conclusion to the match at The Etihad. Swansea had been knocking on the door all half, finally finding a way through in the last minute of normal time soon after bringing on a true striker. The visitors' hearts were broke right at the death, though, thanks to a heavily deflected Toure shot.

Man City will end the day at the top of the Premier League table - just! Swansea, on the other hand, remain a point above the drop zone ahead of a number of key fixtures to come over the next 24 hours or so. To make matters worse for them, it was former player Bony who opened the scoring at The Etihad.

It may not have been deserved, but full credit to Man City because they showed immense character in those final minute of the game. For 45 minutes and more they were in first gear, soaking up pressure and springing forward for the occasional attack, yet once they were pegged back Toure led the charge to earn three massive points.

That concludes Sports Mole's text coverage of events at The Etihad, but stick around for live commentary from the South Coast, where Bournemouth play host to Manchester United. Enjoy!