Swansea City v Manchester City: When Swans toppled the champions-in-waiting

Swansea were in their first top-flight campaign in almost three decades having won the Championship play-off final in 2011, a mere eight years after they beat Hull on the final day of the season to avoid dropping out of the Football League.

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

There was a chasm between the clubs.

It had been no surprise, therefore, when Swansea were beaten 4-0 at the Etihad Stadium in their first Premier League game in August 2011.

“That was a baptism of fire,” remembers former Swansea midfielder Leon Britton, one of the many within Brendan Rodgers’ team who made top-flight debuts that night.

“The vast majority of us had never played at that level, so of course you’re always going to question if you can cut it in the Premier League.”

The consensus, outside south-west Wales at least, was that Swansea would not survive among the elite, particularly after they failed to muster a goal – never mind a win – in their first four top-tier games.

But gradually, a squad whose most expensive player was £3.5m summer signing Danny Graham began to thrive, turning heads as they delivered points while playing stylish football.