LONDON — Manchester City and Arsenal bounced back from damaging Champions League defeats to return to winning ways in the Premier League on Saturday, although both sides were made to toil. City put their 3-1 loss at Ajax behind them with a 1-0 success at home to Swansea City in the Premier League’s longest-ever game, while Arsenal celebrated Jack Wilshere’s return from a 17-month lay-off by edging bottom club Queens Park Rangers by the same scoreline.
“It was important to get three points today after the defeat mid-week. We did not play well in the first half because we were so tired but we were better in the second half,” said City coach Roberto Mancini.
“In the end, the only important thing is the result. If you win, you are the best manager; if you lose, you are the worst.”
It took City 38 minutes to register a shot on target against Swansea in a lacklustre first half at Eastlands.
Swansea looked more likely to take the lead, but their clearest opportunity saw Joe Hart race from his line to save at the feet of the advancing Michu.
Spanish midfielder Michu drew Hart into action again with a downward header in the 59th minute, but two minutes later, Mancini’s side struck.
Gael Clichy was allowed to carry the ball infield before finding Carlos Tevez, and the Argentine sent a shot dipping into the bottom-left corner to end a personal run of eight games without a goal.
Swansea goalkeeper Michel Vorm had to be stretchered off after appearing to hurt his groin as he tried to reach Tevez’s shot, while City defender Micah Richards also had to leave the fray with a leg injury.
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The stoppages meant that over 12 minutes of injury time were played — breaking the Premier League record hhhhc– but City managed to keep their slender lead intact.
At the Emirates Stadium, Arsenal were made to wait until the 84th minute before Mikel Arteta’s goal took them past QPR and enabled them to snap a two-game losing streak.
Arteta tucked home from close range four minutes later, amid suspicions of offside, and despite a flurry of late chances for the visitors —notably when Jamie Mackie shot straight at Vito Mannone after a mazy run—Arsenal survived.—Reuters
