Where and when...
Premier League
Norwich City 3-4 Manchester City
Carrow Road, 29th December 2012
City XI: Hart, Kompany, Zabaleta, Clichy, Nastasic, Nasri, Barry, Silva, Y Toure, Dzeko, Aguero
Report...
Ten-man Manchester City held off a determined Norwich to win a pulsating game at Carrow Road.
City surged ahead when Edin Dzeko twice slotted home in the first four minutes.
Anthony Pilkington’s free-kick gave Norwich hope but, despite the visitors having Samir Nasri sent off, Sergio Aguero added a third for the champions.
Norwich’s Russell Martin scored twice either side of a Dzeko shot that went in off the post and keeper Mark Bunn, as the visitors clung on for victory.
What it meant...
City passed 40 points in the Premier League and consolidated their second place in Premier League.
Norwich dropped to 11th.
Highlights
Reaction...
Roberto Mancini:
Edin Dzeko:
Media reaction...
“Dzeko was the inspiration as he was promoted to the starting line-up and quickly slotted the visitors 2-0 ahead inside four minutes.
“He then helped see off a Norwich comeback by creating Man City’s fourth goal.
“Officially it was credited as an own goal by keeper Mark Bunn who help parry in Dzeko’s shot.
“But Dzeko was adamant afterwards it was a hat-trick as he walked off with the match ball signed by team-mates.” James Nursey, Mirror.
“A rip-roaring four minutes into the match and there was a distinct change in mood, as Roberto Mancini’s much-maligned men shot into the lead with two goals.
“Edin Dzeko was the executor of both, but with Sergio Agüero, David Silva and the rest of the team firing on all cylinders, City instantly appeared truly unstoppable.
“From that vantage point it was hard to see how Norwich might avoid the kind of humbling 5-1 and 6-1 batterings they had endured at the hands of City last season.” Anna Kessel, The Guardian.
