EPL: Swansea City's dream start see Garry Monk win manager of the month award

New Delhi: Swansea City boss Garry Monk has won the Barclays Premier League Manager of the Month award for August after the club made a 100% winning start to the season. His side are currently second in the table behind Chelsea, on goal difference. The Welsh club face Jose Mourinho's side on Sunday and a lot will be at stake for Monk to get out the best from his players against an in-form Blues.

Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho, Stoke City's Mark Hughes and Aston Villa manager Paul Lambert had also been shortlisted for the award. The presence of managers from the mid-table clubs, have become a regular sight in the the league. Tony Pulis (Crystal Palace), Gus Poyet (Sunderland), Sam Allardyce (West Ham United) and Alan Pardew (Newcastle) were some of the names to win this award last season.

Monk has guided Swansea to three wins – away to Manchester United and at home to Burnley and West Brom. Their season opening victory at Old Trafford was a perfect start for both Monk and club seeking new identity and ground in the highly competitive league.

As well as the three league wins, Swansea also tasted victory at the Liberty Stadium in the League Cup against Rotherham United.

After winning the award, Monk stated that his club has been working as an unit and that they are doing something right. He was also pleased with the level of performances in all three matches citing they have to keep the standard of play going and improving from here on.

Swansea City posted a photo of Monk on social micro-blogging site, Twitter. "It's a honour and a privilege," said Monk, who dedicated the award to all the staff at the Welsh club.

"It's an honour and a privilege," says @GarryMonk16 after winning Manager of the Month - http://t.co/4b0LoBCWYV pic.twitter.com/2tgdh3rFYR— Swansea City FC (@SwansOfficial) September 12, 2014

The club also posted a video of the reaction of Monk after winning the award on social micro-blogging site, Twitter.

#Swans boss @GarryMonk16 on winning @premierleague Manager of the Month award for August - http://t.co/nUwD5kuNeX

— Swansea City FC (@SwansOfficial) September 12, 2014

Monk has made an impressive start at Swansea. He took temporary charge after the departure of Michael Laudrup in February 2014. His first game – against Welsh rivals Cardiff – ended in a 3-0 victory.

Monk signed a three-year deal in May to become the club's permanent manager after Swansea survived in the Premier League.