Paul Clement has confessed that Swansea City got off lightly by only conceding four goals at home to magnificent Manchester City on Wednesday night.
The Swans manager looked like a man watching his car being jacked up by an expert team of slick-handed thieves, who effortlessly remove the wheels, then come back for the interiors, the gadgets and the seats, and leave only a shell.
Clement’s team were indeed hollowed out – stripped down to a barely functioning few parts by opponents who were methodical and masterful.
It was only 4-0, but if the Premier League leaders had concentrated a little harder in front of goal it could easily have been double that scoreline.
As it was, Pep Guardiola’s team made it a record 15 successive victories and Clement admitted: “They totally deserved the victory. At times that scoreline could’ve run higher.
“It was really tough to watch at times. I think if you’re a player, staff member or fan of Man City, it must be a joy to watch that team play but we’re on the wrong end of a really dominant performance by them.
“We did have a couple of opportunities ourselves. But it was a very good display from them and I have to say, one of the best sides I’ve ever come across.”
“I would’ve liked my team to have played better but they are a really, really great side.
“After starting okay, the first goal we concede is really disappointing, almost a carbon copy of what happened against Brighton: an easy cross, centre-half has almost ducked out of it and the goalkeeper rooted to his line.
“But then it was our reaction after that which disappointed. We were very passive, showing too much respect, not aggressive enough. After that, it was a tough evening.”
City came into the contest averaging three goals per game and made sure that record was matched inside 52 minutes with a David Silva double and Kevin De Bruyne’s free-kick.
Sergio Aguero claimed the fourth five minutes from time with his 10th league goal of the season — one more than Swansea have managed.
Silva has now scored four goals in his last three games and was at his brilliant best here, conducting the City orchestra with his passing and movement.
City’s latest win of a seemingly unstoppable campaign removed Arsenal’s 14-game winning streak in 2002 from the record books.
They say there are no easy games in the Premier League, but this was as straightforward as it gets with City enjoying 78% possession.
City boss Pep Guardiola said: “Considering we have a lot of games in our legs, a demanding game at Old Trafford three days ago, we were solid, we were serious and we made a good performance. You suffer and enjoy, like a manager you see many things. When the team play good we are happy.
“Our feeling — we understand what we want to do. We play good inside, outside. I’m so happy for David (Silva), we cannot disguise his quality but in the past he didn’t score too much goals. He’s sharp, he’s in an amazing condition.”
Guardiola’s side were in cruise control long before going two goals up inside 34 minutes, forcing Swansea to cover vast acres of turf without the ball.
Swansea’s performance was one of commitment and effort, yet the gulf between the two sides was predictably huge.
City did not even have to be at their giddy best during an opening quarter in which they made more mistakes than in winning the Manchester derby at Old Trafford on Sunday.
The recalled Aguero, in particular, had a frustrating first half as he found the side netting in the fifth minute and then twice headed over when well placed.
Fernandinho’s 25-yard drive brought a fine stop from Lukasz Fabianski, but Swansea broke the early siege when Roque Mesa released Jordan Ayew. The Ghanaian carried the ball fully 50 yards but the sprawling Ederson was equal to his effort.
Nicolas Otamendi thrashed wide when Fabianski flapped at a cross as City continued to seek the finishing touch to their complete control.
It came after 27 minutes when Bernardo Silva pounced on Mesa’s wayward pass and cross for namesake David to break the deadlock with a nonchalant flick.
Fabianksi soon pushed out Aguero’s low effort, but the goalkeeper was beaten again when De Bruyne’s free-kick from the left skimmed past him in a crowded goalmouth.
City should have been out of sight within 45 seconds of the restart when David Silva played a one-two with Aguero before sending the ball wide with the goal at his mercy.
But the Spaniard was not to be denied after Fabianski had again prevented Aguero from opening his account.
Raheem Sterling broke down the right and David Silva took his pass to coolly chip over Fabianski from a few yards out.
Swansea almost reduced the deficit when Mesa’s shot took a wicked deflection off Fabian Delph, but Ederson switched direction in a flash to make an excellent save.
It was a rare moment of concern on a night when City’s title-winning credentials were again clear for all to see.
SWANSEA:
Fabianski, Naughton, van der Hoorn, Mawson, Olsson, Ki, Roque, Carroll (Abraham 46), Ayew, Dyer (Narsingh 65), Bony (Fer 74).
MAN CITY:
Ederson, Danilo, Otamendi, Mangala, Delph (Alexander Zinchenko 73), De Bruyne (Gundogan 77), Fernandinho (Toure 58), Silva, Bernardo Silva, Aguero, Sterling.