In what was our final league game of the 2019/20 season – and Silva’s final domestic game for the Club – Jesus and De Bruyne both struck in the first half to put Pep Guardiola’s men in control.
Raheem Sterling struck with 10 minutes left to chalk up his 20th league goal of the season and City’s 100th league goal of the season.
It was provided by Kevin De Bruyne, who in the process, equalled Thierry Henry’s record of 20 assists in a season before adding his second and our fourth before Mahrez then rounded off a day to remember with goalkeeper Ederson also claiming the Premier League Golden Glove award.
It was fitting that Silva finished the league season as a winner after a glorious decade at the Club. But it isn’t the last time we will see him in action with City resuming Champions League action next month against Real Madrid.
And City have a special tribute planned for El Mago after has played his final game for the Club.
What happened
It was a fixture that pitted the top flight’s highest scorers against opponents with the most porous defence and, from the off, City seized both control and the attacking initiative.
Yet the Canaries provided a huge early scare when Onel Hernandez fund the target on nine minutes after cutting inside from the left – but the strike was ruled out for offside after a VAR check.
And City wasted little time by responding in predatory fashion as we opened the scoring on 12 minutes through Gabriel Jesus.
Raheem Sterling was the instigator, cutting an inviting ball into the box from right for David Silva.
Our skipper couldn’t convert but the rebound fell invitingly for Jesus who rifled home his 22nd goal of the season in all competitions – a club best for the Brazilian.
It was all hands to the pump at the back for Norwich and only a brave block by Ben Godfrey prevented a De Bruyne rocket arrowing into the top corner of the net.
Godfrey then put his body on the line once again to fling himself at Jesus’s goalbound shot after Tim Krul had spilled the ball from Walker’s cross.
But a momentary lapse of concentration saw City lose possession and Teemu Pukki race upfield unopposed before Ederson came out to narrow the angle and block the Finn’s shot.
The importance of that save was amplified on the stroke of half time as City doubled our advantage with a trademark piece of De Bruyne brilliance.
After a patient build up, our Belgian maestro gathered the ball on the edge of the Norwich box, found a yard of space before unleashing an unstoppable dipping, curling right foot shot from 20 yards into the top right-hand corner.
There was almost a fairy-tale moment early into the second half as Silva despatched an exquisite goalbound shot only for Krul to superbly palm the effort away.
Ederson then proved Norwich’s nemesis again after Hernandez slalomed through the City defence, the keeper racing out to deny the striker with the assistance of Laporte.
De Bruyne was then so, so close to claiming an assist, as his cut-back - aimed for Gabriel Jesus - hit Zimmerman and cannoned back off the woodwork!
But the third goal did arrive 10 minutes from time as Sterling struck from close range after - an assist from - who else - but De Bruyne for his 20th league assist of the season - equalling Thierry Henry’s record
City further stepped up the pressure as substitute Riyad Mahrez struck to make it four just four minutes from time before Silva was taken off to acclaim from all of his team mates.
And De Bruyne then set the seal on a stunning afternoon as he fired home a brilliant fifth goal to cap another dazzling display
Glove story
With Burnley goalkeeper Nick Pope conceding a goal in the Clarets’ home game with Brighton, today’s 16th clean sheet of the season saw Ederson secure the coveted Premier League Golden Glove award.
It was a fitting reward for the Brazilian who has been a model of consistency across the season.
And he again proved his worth by producing a crucial save from Teemu Pukki when City were 1-0 to the good.
Record breaker
Two goals and an assist made it a record-breaking afternoon from Kevin De Bruyne, who in the process equalled Thierry Henry’s record of 20 assists in a season which he set in 2002/3.
It was fitting achievement after a quite wonderful all-round season by KDB.
What it means
City had already long since secured second place in the Premier League but today’s victory ensure we finished the domestic campaign with a flourish.
It took us to 81 points for the season with 26 wins from our 38 games and a tally of 102 goals.
The result almost ensured me maintained momentum ahead of our return to European action next month.
What’s next
With our league season now complete, City’s attentions now switch to the Champions League and next month’s huge last 16 second leg against Real Madrid.
We play host to Zinedine Zidane’s newly crowned La Liga champions at the Etihad on Friday, August 7, kick-off 8pm with City holding a crucial 2-1 lead from the first leg.
It promises to be an occasion to savour.
Lineups
CITY XI: Ederson, Walker, Garcia (Fernandinho 45), Laporte, Cancelo, Rodrigo (Gundogan 45), De Bruyne, Silva (C) (Bernardo 85), Foden (Mahrez 45), Sterling, Jesus.
SUBS: Carson, Stones, Zinchenko, Bernardo, Mendy, Otamendi.
NORWICH: Krul, Aarons, Godfrey, Zimmermann, Lewis, McLean, Stiepermann, Cantwell, Rupp, Hernandez, Pukki
SUBS: McGovern, Mair, Thomas, Famewo, Vrancic, Adshead, Martin, Idah
