Swansea City vs Manchester City: When Swansea knocked out the champions-in-waiting

Swansea were in their first Premier League season in almost three decades after winning the Championship play-off final in 2011, just eight years after beating Hull City on the final day of the season to avoid exit from the Football League.

By contrast, Manchester City was establishing itself as one of football’s superpowers following the club’s takeover by Abu Dhabi United Group in 2008.

There was a gap between the clubs.

So it came as no surprise when Swansea lost 4-0 at the Etihad Stadium in their first Premier League match in August 2011.

“That was a baptism of fire,” recalls former Swansea midfielder Leon Britton, one of several players in Brendan Rodgers’ squad to make his top-flight debut that night.

“The vast majority of us have never played at this level before, so of course you will always wonder if you can reach this level in the Premier League.”

The consensus, outside South West Wales at least, was that Swansea would not be able to remain among the elite, especially after failing to score a goal – let alone win – in their first four top-flight matches.

But gradually, a team whose most expensive player was £3.5m summer signing Danny Graham began to flourish, turning heads as they picked up points while playing elegant football.