15/08/2011 19:00 v Man City

The Swans endured a tough baptism to life in the Premier League as eventual champions Manchester City condemned them to a comprehensive 4-0 defeat at the Etihad Stadium.

Brendan Rodgers handed debuts to new signings Michel Vorm, Steven Caulker and Danny Graham ahead of Swansea’s first appearance in the top-flight since 1983, after their victory over Reading in the Championship Play-Off final less than three months earlier.

The first Welsh side to play in the Premier League, the Swans held their own despite being on the back foot for much of the first half as Vorm made great saves to deny Edin Dzeko, Yaya Toure and David Silva who, along with Gareth Barry, also hit the woodwork.

However, City continued to turn up the pressure after the break and finally made the breakthrough in the 57th minute, when Dzeko slotted into the empty net after the Swansea keeper could only parry Adam Johnson’s shot directly into his path.

Roberto Mancini then introduced big summer signing Sergio Aguero into the action and the Argentine made an immediate impact on his debut – tapping home Micah Richards’ cross to round off a wonderful move by the hosts.

Aguero was involved again three minutes later as he produced a brilliant piece of skill to flick the ball over the head of Vorm, before hooking back for Silva to volley in goal number three.

And the £38 million man completed the scoring in the dying seconds when, after receiving the ball 25 yards from goal, he unleashed a stunning strike that flew into the bottom corner beyond the despairing dive of Vorm.

Manchester City: Hart, Richards, Kompany, Lescott, Clichy, De Jong (Aguero, 59), Barry, Johnson (Savic, 74), Toure, Silva (Milner, 82), Dzeko.

Subs not used: Taylor, Zabaleta, Kolarov, Balotelli.

Swansea: Vorm, Rangel, Caulker, Williams, Tate, Agustien, Britton (Allen, 65), Dyer (Lita, 81), Dobbie (Routledge, 65), Sinclair, Graham.

Subs not used: Moreira, Orlandi, Gower, Moore.