Hello there! The international break is over and the Premier League is back! Champions Manchester City return to action today at home to Swansea City and we will be following it all right here on Sports Mole with our live text coverage. Team news is on its way.

MAN CITY: Hart; Zabaleta, Kompany, Demichelis, Clichy; Navas, Fernandinho, Toure, Nasri; Jovetic, Aguero

MAN CITY SUBS: Caballero, Sagna, Mangala, Lampard, Fernando, Milner, Pozo

The good news for Man City is that captain Vincent Kompany is back in the starting XI after missing their 2-2 draw with QPR before the international break through injury. Manager Manuel Pellegrini has made two further changes to his side as Pablo Zabaleta and Stevan Jovetic are both given the nod. Frank Lampard, Fernando, James Milner and youngster Jose Angel Pozo are among those on the bench.

SWANSEA: Fabianski; Rangel, Bartley, Williams, Taylor; Ki, Carroll, Sigurdsson, Dyer, Montero; Bony

SWANSEA SUBS: Tremmel, Tiendalli, Amat, Britton, Shelvey, Gomis, Barrow

Meanwhile, Swansea boss Garry Monk has made just the one change to his side after seeing them come from behind to beat Arsenal last time out. Marvin Emnes misses out, while Nathan Dyer returns to the team. Jonjo Shelvey and Bafetimbi Gomis are among the subs.

So, what's at stake today? Man City know that they will have to win today if they want to keep the pressure on leaders Chelsea. The champions are currently eight points behind Jose Mourinho's side and will not want that gap to get any bigger. However, they are up against a Swansea team that is full of confidence at the moment. The Swansea start the day in fifth place in the table and will be keen to build on their victory over Arsenal two weeks ago.

Man City manager Manuel Pellegrini: "I think December and this week of November are a decisive month for the Premier League. We're going to play eight games in the Premier League and we are going to finish the first half of the season at the end of December.

"We have 24 more points to try to win. We have to try to do it. I think that is the only way - maybe not to be top of the table, because Chelsea is in a very good moment, but I think it is important to have a good first half of the season; that is, more than 41 or 42 points. So the 24 points that we're going to play for now in November and December are very crucial to try to be as near to the top of the table as we can."

Swansea boss Garry Monk: "They probably look at this as a chance to get three points, but hopefully we can put on a performance to try and get points.

"They're a good side. It's a tough place to go, they are an extremely good squad, defending champions. It's a tough proposition for us but one we look forward to. The players relish playing them to see how far they've come as individuals and a group and we can see how far we have come."

.@Fernando_Reges, @fernaoficial, @aguerosergiokun and Joe Hart make their way into the dressing room. #cityvswans pic.twitter.com/f4CRfmg5Vn — Manchester City FC (@MCFC) November 22, 2014

It would be fair to say that Man City have been inconsistent in the past few weeks, taking four points from a possible nine. They were beaten 2-1 at West Ham nearly a month ago before earning a 1-0 win over rivals Man Utd. However, their shaky form continued two weeks ago with that draw against QPR. The form of champions? Not really, but they are still just about hanging on in there.

While Man City have struggled to put a run together in recent weeks, Swansea come into this match on a three-game unbeaten run. Two of those results have been wins, including that 2-1 triumph over Arsenal. Man City would have been expected to pick up the three points in this fixture over the past few years, but you have to say that it's a hard one to predict this afternoon.

Got a few minutes spare before kickoff? Why not check out our video preview of today's match below:

HEAD TO HEAD: Man City have the better record when it comes to past meetings between these sides, winning 16 matches compared to seven for Swansea. There have also been three draws since they first played each other.

Man City have certainly dominated this fixture in recent years with four wins from the last six encounters. Swansea have won just once in that time. Their last victory away to the Blues came all the way back in 1951.

#MCISWA - Swansea's 3 #BPL matches at the Etihad Stadium have all ended in Man City wins by a combined 8-0. — STATS Football (@STATS_Football) November 22, 2014

While Swansea have shipped eight goals in their last three trips to the Etihad Stadium, Garry Monk's side actually has the third best defensive record in the Premier League so far this season. The Swans have conceded 11 goals in their 11 games, one less than Man City. Meanwhile, Southampton lead the way having let in just five goals this term.

The teams have been out on the pitch going through their pre-match routines, but they've now gone back down to the tunnel to get ready for the match itself. There's about 10 minutes to go until this one gets underway.

Both sets of players are starting to emerge in the tunnel as we head closer to kickoff. Vincent Kompany stands at the front of the Man City line with that familiar look of intensity on his face, while Ashley Williams, who enjoyed a successful international break with Wales, is at the head of the Swansea line. Not long to go now.

KICKOFF! The teams are out, the pre-match fanfare has been done and it will be visitors Swansea to get us underway at the Etihad Stadium. Here we go!

It's been a low-key start to the game, with both teams seeing a fair amount of the ball during the opening few minutes. Man City carve open a half-chance through Aguero, but the striker can only curl the ball wide inside a congested penalty box. Still, the Swans won't want to give him much more space like that.

Swansea are looking very confident on the ball at the moment, knocking it around with plenty of calmness around the centre of the pitch. Manuel Pellegrini is evidently concerned by his side's lack of possession because he's already on the touchline giving instructions. One player in particular who is already pulling a few string is Ki for the visitors.

He signed a new contract in the week and now Wilfried Bony's opened the scoring at the Etihad Stadium to give Swansea the lead! It's a lovely finish from the Ivorian, who got in behind the Man City defence before collecting a ball over the top and dinking it past Hart. Not the start that the hosts wanted.

That goal has done little to change the dynamic of this game because Swansea are still knocking the ball about with lots of confidence and flair. Meanwhile, Man City are looking a little bit frustrated after going behind. They've not been at the races so far.

The home side are being given the runaround by Swansea at the moment. The visitors are looking really disciplined in what they're doing, which is spreading the ball around and making Man City work hard for possession.

This is better from the champions. They're beginning to see more of the ball and are using it well in advanced areas. Toure in particular is getting more involved, which is always a good sign for Manuel Pellegrini's side. Still, they haven't really created anything in the final third since that chance for Aguero early on.

Man City get themselves level and it's Stevan Jovetic with the goal! It's a fairly simple one, truth be told, as Navas's cross from the right wing is met by the striker in the centre of the box and he steers it home at the first time of asking. Game on.

Now it's all hands to the pump for Swansea as Man City go in search of a second goal. Aguero tries to make something happen in and around the visitors' penalty area, but the away side do just about enough to clear the danger.

YELLOW CARD! Swansea defender Kyle Bartley is the first name to go into referee Neil Swarbrick's book this afternoon after clattering Aguero from behind when he really didn't need to. A little scuffle breaks out between a few of the players following the incident, but it all blows over quickly.

Swansea full-back Neil Taylor is forced off the pitch with a nasty cut above his eye after an aerial battle with Kompany. There was no malice there from the Man City captain, though it wasn't the most controlled of challenges.

17 - Wilfried Bony has netted 17 goals in the Premier League in 2014, more than any other player. Princely.

— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) November 22, 2014

Something of a half-chance for the hosts as Nasri does well down the left before putting a dangerous cross into the box. It looks as if Jovetic is going to get on the end of it, but Williams does just about enough to nick it off his toe. Play then breaks up the other end of the pitch before Kompany is booked for a reckless challenge on Bony.

This game is really heating up now. An off-the-ball incident involving Bartley and Aguero sparks another scuffle between the two sets of players. It's difficult to see exactly what happened there, but Bartley may have hauled Aguero down unnecessarily. Either way, the referee takes no action. Bartley could well count himself lucky there because he's already been booked.

CHANCE! Close to a second goal for Man City as Nasri's reverse pass is met by Aguero, only for his shot on the angle to be kept out by Fabianski. That was good goalkeeping from the Pole, who stayed big and made it difficult for the Argentine to see the goal. The Blues are seeing plenty of the ball as we enter the final 10 minutes of this half.

Swansea are finding it really hard to get out of their own half at the moment. The champions are hitting them with wave upon wave of attack. However, the visitors are doing just about enough to stand firm and keep the score as it is.

OFF THE POST! Clichy almost gives Man City the lead with an absolute piledriver from about 30 yards. Aguero lays the ball off to the left-back, who smashes an unstoppable drive towards goal. Fabianski is beaten, but the ball crashes back off the woodwork. What a goal that would have been.

It's all gone a bit scrappy in the last couple of minutes or so, with both teams struggling to keep possession. Navas loses the ball in one instance and a chorus of groans rung out from the Man City fans. The Spaniard's been a bit ineffective so far this afternoon, though he made a big contribution by setting up Jovetic for his side's equaliser.

The fourth official indicates that there will be THREE MINUTES of added time just after Jovetic plants a difficult header straight at Fabianski.

The whistle goes for half time, bringing an end to a decent opening 45 minutes at the Etihad Stadium. Wilfried Bony gave Swansea an early lead, but Man City hit back soon after through Stevan Jovetic.

Man City started the game well off the pace and were punished when Bony put Swansea in front. However, following their equaliser the champions dominated and could well have been in front were it not for a mixture of Fabianski's goalkeeping and the woodwork. That said, Manuel Pellegrini will be well aware that his team needs to win this game, especially considering that Chelsea are 2-0 up at home to West Bromwich Albion.

MATCH SHOT: @stevanj35 steers home the equaliser for City! #mcfc #cityvswans pic.twitter.com/aA227GU1Ds

— Manchester City FC (@MCFC) November 22, 2014

How long will it take Manuel Pellegrini to turn to his bench this afternoon? The Chilean has Frank Lampard and James Milner among his substitutes, while young striker Jose Angel Pozo is also an option. Meanwhile, Swansea boss Garry Monk has Jonjo Shelvey and Bafetimbi Gomis among his replacements.

SECOND HALF UNDERWAY! The teams are back out for the second half and it will be Man City to kick us off. No changes from either manager at the break.

CHANCE! Swansea come close to taking the lead just minutes into the second half as Montero is played through on goal by Bony, but his shot on the angle is smothered by Hart. The goalkeeper doesn't look too convincing for the resulting corner, though Man City see out the danger in the end.

Garry Monk is sure to be pleased with how his players have equipped themselves since the restart. The Swans are looking good on the ball, passing it around calmly and efficiently. However, can they keep this up for the remainder of the match? They did exactly the same at the start of the opening 45 minutes before fading away.

Swansea's resurgence seems to have been short-lived because Man City are starting to pin them right back again. The hosts are practically camped out inside the Swans' half, giving the visitors hardly any of the ball. You get the feeling that this could be a running theme for the rest of the game.

CHANCE! Man City's dominance almost pays off when Zabaleta and Navas combine around the edge of the penalty area, but the former's drive eventually goes off target. He looks disappointed with himself there, though it wasn't the easiest of opportunities.

CHANCE! Close again for the hosts as Toure's low drive is pushed away by the outstretched Fabianski. Aguero was sniffing around for the rebound, but Bartley got there before him to hoof the ball clear. Swansea are having to stay alert here.

He had one saved a moment ago, but Yaya Toure now gives Man City the lead with a tidy finish. The Ivorian is slipped in with a cheeky backheel from Fernandinho before hitting a low shot under Fabianski on the angle, capping a slick passing move from the hosts. You can feel the relief around the Etihad Stadium.

Garry Monk is organising his substitutes down in the dugout. It looks as if Jonjo Shelvey might be coming on soon. Swansea are looking a bit overwhelmed at the moment as Jovetic curls a shot over the crossbar from 20 yards. Man City are certainly cranking up the pressure as we head into the final 25 minutes of this match.

SWANSEA SUB: The visitors make a change now as Jonjo Shelvey replaces Tom Carroll, who gave away the ball needlessly in the build up to Toure's goal. That mistake aside, the youngster has been solid this afternoon.

MAN CITY SUB: Now it's the home side's turn to make a change as Stevan Jovetic is replaced by Frank Lampard. You would expect the veteran to offer some stability and nous in that midfield during the final 20 minutes or so.

MATCH SHOT: Celebrations for Yaya Toure's goal! #mcfc pic.twitter.com/wbMJfirt1G

— Manchester City FC (@MCFC) November 22, 2014

Man City may be in front and dominating possession, but they will be aware that their lead is only the one goal. While Swansea aren't offering a great deal going forward right now, they still have the players to cause the champions some damage. Bony in particular is lurking in some dangerous positions up front, readying himself for any counter-attacks.

SWANSEA SUB: Another change from Swansea sees Nathan Dyer leavethe pitch for Mo Barrow.

MAN CITY, SWANSEA SUBS: The champions make their second change, with James Milner coming on for Stevan Jovetic. Meanwhile, Swansea make their final swap as Bafetimbi Gomis enters the action for Gylfi Sigurdsson.

You get the feeling that there will be a few nervy Man City supporters during the final 10 minutes if the score stays as it is. Swansea are still struggling to do much in the final third, but they still have a shout of coming away with a share of the spoils. A rare opening for the visitors sees Shelvey try his luck with a speculative volley from about 25 yards, but it flies over the crossbar.

Man City threaten as Lampard lifts a wonderful ball over the top for Aguero, but Fabianski does well to sprint off his line and smother the danger. The hosts aren't sitting back here - they're looking to put this game to bed.

CHANCE! Oh, what a chance for Swansea to level things up! Gomis is played clean through on goal, but the striker can only poke the ball wide with Hart bearing down on him. He really should have hit the target there. Will the visitors get another opening as good as that in the last five minutes?

MAN CITY SUB: A last change for the home side sees Fernando replace Fernandinho. Two minutes plus stoppage time remaining at the Etihad Stadium.

There will be FOUR MINUTES of added time...

YELLOW CARD! Demichelis is cautioned for blocking Bony off a few yards outside the penalty area. Shelvey takes the resulting free kick, but it goes inches wide of the post after taking a devilish deflection on its way through.

It wasn't always pretty, but Man City earn an important 2-1 win over Swansea thanks to goals from Stevan Jovetic and Yaya Toure. Manuel Pellegrini said before the match that his team needed the three points in order to keep pressure on leaders Chelsea and they've done just that.

That's all from our live coverage of today's match, but don't forget that you can keep up to date with all of the reaction from both camps right here on Sports Mole. Thanks for your company, we hope to see you again soon. Goodbye!