Ash hails Bony despite defeat

Ashley Williams hailed the performance of team-mate Wilfried Bony despite the Swans going down to a 3-2 defeat against Manchester City at the Liberty.

The visitors took an early lead through Fernandinho, but Bony levelled in first-half stoppage time when he headed home a Jonathan de Guzman cross.

Two goals in a nine-minute spell during the second half paved the way for City's victory as Yaya Toure struck first before Aleksandar Kolarov grabbed the third.

Bony reduced the deficit in added time with a fine 25-yard shot to cap a fine individual display from the Ivory Coast international.

And Williams praised the club-record signing as he notched his fifth and sixth league goals of the season.

"I'm pleased for him (Bony)," said Ash. "He was probably the only positive to come out of the game.

"Hopefully he keeps his place now and gets a little run in the team. He was our best player by far and you can see why we bought him."

Despite going behind early on, Michael Laudrup's side responded well and Bony twice went close before grabbing his first on the stroke of half-time.

But Williams pointed to the two goals conceded after the break as the catalyst for a third league defeat in four games.

"I think we did okay for the most part," said the skipper. "But we've come away with nothing. We can't give away three goals against Manchester City and expect to come away with something.

"We scored at a great time, and usually that happens against us, and I thought we were worthy of that goal as well.

"We had a strong second period of the first half and then we were pressing on, but the two goals we conceded were poor and we are disappointed with that.

"We gave it a go, but we just didn't have enough. We shouldn't be looking over our shoulders, but we are.

"We need points from wherever and we need them pretty sharply if we don't want to be in that mix towards the bottom."