There are high hopes at Eastlands for Manchester City to challenge local rival Manchester United for the Premier League crown, and the Citizens got their season off to an auspicious start with a thumping of Swansea City on Monday.

After a scoreless first half, the floodgates opened after Edin Dzeko scored in the 57th minute.

Winger David Silva rolled a pass to Adam Johnson, who curled a shot at the goal. Swansea goalkeeper Michel Vorm made the save but couldn't hold on as Dzeko took the rebound and scored from close range into an empty net.

Newcomer Sergio Aguero scored City's second goal in the 68th minute thanks to Dzeko's attacking effort. The third goal came from Silva in the 71st minute to basically seal the victory.

Aguero followed the 3-0 score with his second goal of the match in the dying moments of the match. The young Argentine found the corner of the net with a 25-yard shot.

City boss Roberto Mancini had to be pleased with the attacking trio of Dzeko, Aguero and Silva. Vorm was bombarded with shots all evening, as the Citizens piled it on with 15 shots on goal.

Despite the poor result, Swansea displayed the type of effort that could help them avoid relegation. Swansea had possession for 57 percent of the match, had eight shots (three on goal), and committed only three fouls.