Manchester City goalkeeper Joe Hart admitted his side played poorly as they beat Swansea thanks to Kelechi Iheanacho’s injury-time deflection.
The win took Manuel Pellegrini’s team to the top of the Premier League, but they looked weak after a Champions League win on Tuesday.
Swansea, who sacked Garry Monk on Wednesday, had equalised on 90 minutes after Wilfried Bony’s opener.
“It was a big win considering we were awful,” Hart told BBC Sport.
Listen – Man City leave it late to beat Swansea
“I thought Swansea played really well considering the difficult circumstances. When we play well, I am a bit of a bystander so it was good for me to be involved.
“It’s a good sign to not always play particularly well and be top of the league, qualify as group winners in the Champions League and to be in the semi-finals of the League Cup.
“To a man, we can all improve.”
Manchester City now lead Leicester on goal difference, with the Foxes facing Chelsea on Monday, and could also be overtaken by Arsenal, who travel to Aston Villa on Sunday.
City travel to Emirates Stadium on 21 December for a crucial encounter with the Gunners.
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