Saturday December 3, 2011 Day 14 Finished Etihad Stadium

Manchester City 5 - 1 Norwich City

  • Agüero 32’
  • Nasri 51’
  • Touré 68’
  • Balotelli 88’
  • Johnson 90’
  • Morison 81’

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  1. Manchester City crush sorry Norwich

    Manchester City crush sorry Norwich

    A fine Sergio Aguero strike and a memorable goal from Mario Balotelli helped Manchester City to a 5-1 win over a poor Norwich at Eastlands. More

  • Live Commentary

    Time:90'
    • Manchester City
    • Norwich City
    • - Don't forget you can watch highlights of this match, along with every Premier League game, from 00:01 on Monday morning (UK only).
    • 16:54 If you have any feedback on that game, my commentary or Mario Balotelli's comedy goal, feel free to get in touch on Twitter by following me on @Reda_Maher
    • 90+3 The ref puts Norwich out of their misery as City make it 14 Prem games without defeat. Eight points clear, though Man United can close that if they get a positive result against Villa later.
    • 90+1 GOAL MAN CITY! 5-1 as Johnson passes it into the far corner after Kompany finds him on the edge of the box. That came about from some lunatic defending from Hoolahan, who was trying to dribble it out from the corner. Not great keeping either from Ruddy.
    • 90' Three minutes added time.
    • 89' Holt goes close as his effort is deflected wide. Corner Norwich, but City clear.
    • 88' Ok this deserves extra commentary. Good work from Johnson set Balotelli up but Ruddy made a great save from the initial finish - however, the ball flew up in the air, allowing Balotelli to wait for it on the line, where he flicked it in with his shoulder without moving his body. Obviously, he stalks off with a scowl. He's so cool.
    • 87' GOAL MAN CITY! 4-1. Balotelli, recently shorn after his spate of comedy haircuts, scores a hilarious goal with his shoulder after Ruddy saved his initial effort.
    • 85' Balotelli almost gets his hairdo on to the corner but Norwich are able to clear. Down the other end Norwich break and Surman drags a low shot wide!
    • 84' Corner to City after a long shot from Silva is blocked wide.
    • 83' Balotelli is down holding his ankle. Not sure what happened there, he seemed to collide with Barnett. Free-kick anyway.
    • 82' Balotelli gives away a free-kick as De Jong comes on for Dzeko.
    • 81' CORRECTION - the cross was Marc Tierney's I am told. That is Morison's fifth club goal of the season and his fourth in six for club and country.
    • 80' NORWICH SCORE! Steve Morison flies in with a header into the top right after a lovely cross from Fox I think.
    • 79' Fox with a very good ball in but Barnett just fails to reach it and the ball flies out for a goal kick.
    • 78' Norwich with a rare move forward that results in a free-kick wide left....
    • 77' NORWICH SUB: Johnson is replaced by Fox. Their final change.
    • 76' Norwich look like they want this to end early, City continuing to come at them...
    • 75' Bad miss by Dzeko, who gets one-on-one after terrible defending from Martin but flicks a lofted finish high and wide. Gotta score there big fella.
    • 73' Barry gets into space wide left but is incorrectly flagged offside. Makes no difference, this match is won and if the title comes down to goal difference City are already home and dry.
    • 72' MAN CITY SUB: Balotelli comes on for Aguero who gets an ovation.
    • 71' Clichy on the left looks inside to Aguero, they exchange passes and now Silva has it, wide to Yaya, back to Silva but his shot is blocked for another corner.
    • 70' A cross from Hoolahan is aimed at Holt but the whistle goes for some shoving.
    • 69' MAN CITY SUB: Nasri makes way for Adam Johnson.
    • 68' GOAL MAN CITY! Yaya makes it 3-0. The corner is blocked back to Nasri, who finds Silva who in turn finds Toure, who drags a cute low finish into the bottom right.
    • 67' City have a corner on the left now, looks like they'll take it short...
    • 66' Reckon City will get some more? Can anyone stop them this season? Let me know on Twitter by following me @Reda_Maher
    • 65' Dzeko almost gets on to a long ball but Martin gets in his way and Ruddy can claim.
    • 64' Norwich get forward through Crofts but Clichy reads the danger and puts to touch.
    • 62' A foul by Richards on Hoolahan wide left gives Norwich a little taster... Swung in towards Holt but the flag is up and that foray is over.
    • 61' NORWICH SUB: Hoolahan is on for Pilkington.
    • 60' NORWICH SUB: Holt on for Bennett.
    • 59' Norwich are able to clear that upfield but any dreams of a counter attack are ended as City work it back into their half.
    • 58' Aguero wriggles in and out of the defence and could shoot from the edge of the box but cleverly disguises a pass wide to Nasri, whose shot is blocked. Corner.
    • 57' Good double save from Ruddy from Silva and then off Aguero at the rebound. The first was a long-ranger he batted out, the second from closer in with his legs. Corner.
    • 56' Nasri curls it in and as Dzeko attacks a defender gets something on it and the ball is cleared.
    • 55' Silva is chopped down by Johnson about 30 yards out, to the left again. Nasri again to take..
    • 54' Dzeko gets away down the left but the Bosnian again drags a low shot off target.
    • 53' Norwich look deflated and don't bet against City getting a few more...
    • 52' The ball from Nasri had little pace on it, all about the direction but it had long missed the attacking players when it bounced in front of Ruddy - poor mistake and Norwich's brief renaissance is over.
    • 51' Nasri will swing this in with his right AND IT'S A HOWLER FROM RUDDY! The ball missed everyone and it was going into his arms but he let it slip through his hands and in. A goal for Nasri but all Ruddy's fault.
    • 50' The ref signals that Crofts tripped Dzeko, so Man City have a free-kick around 30 yards out to the left slightly.
    • 49' Nasri down the right dips in a wicked cross that drops just beyond the lunge of Dzeko!
    • 48' That seems to have rattled City a bit who look more nervous in possession as they give it away again.
    • 47' Chance for Norwich! Bennett with a super run to race on to Morison's flick on, he gets around Hart who has come rushing out but is far too wide and spanks the finish over!
    • 46' Compared to the first half this is a bright start for Norwich, who set up camp on the City right and win a succession of throws.
    • 46' The second half is underway.
    • 16:04 No apparent changes at half time as both sets of players come out a touch tardy.
    • 15:48 Any views on that half? Let me know on Twitter by following me @Reda_Maher
    • 45+1 Half time and City lead 1-0 through that lovely piece of skill from Aguero.
    • 45+1 Good run down the right by Bennett, earning a corner off Clichy. Surman to take... Headed clear by Dzeko near post.
    • 45' Richards is fractionally offside after being played in down the right. Marginal. One minute added time.
    • 44' Silva and Aguero combine but nicked away from Nasri by the covering Crofts. All City, obviously.
    • 43' Morison tries to bring it clear but he gives it away to Silva, wide to Nasri but Ruddy easily claims the cross. Long upfield and Yaya has it, now Aguero, wide to Nasri but after a sweet turn he misplaced a pass aimed for Dzeko.
    • 42' Nasri to take the corner but headed away from Dzeko. It lands for Richards but Crofts gets it clear.
    • 41' Nasri turns in and out on the edge of the box but his low drive is deflected wide for a corner.
    • 39' Silva plays Dzeko in again but the low cross is blocked. City come again and Naughton is forced to hack it away. Could be a long day for the Canaries.
    • 38' Norwich briefly get hold of the ball but Johnson gives it away and City retain their long-term friend. Richards is almost played in by Silva but Barnett blocks.
    • 37' After a long spell of possession Yaya knocks a high one in for Dzeko, who takes it on his chest but blasts high and wide from a very acute angle!
    • 35' City look like they could get a few more now, swarming forward in numbers.
    • 34' OVER FROM AGUERO! Not so good this time, the Norwich defence opening up as Nasri's low cross is deflected into his path. Should have got that on target, keep it down son!
    • 33' That was class from Aguero. Norwich need to come at City now.. Dzeko wide right tries a cross but well over Aguero's head.
    • 32' GOAL CITY! Wonderful by Aguero to turn on a sixpence surrounded by defenders and flick a cute low finish bottom left. Poor defending by Barnett let Richards in down the right initially, the right-back cutting it back to Aguero.
    • 31' Norwich clear the corner. It's not going to be easy for City to get an opener, but I anticipate some champange play if they do.
    • 30' Immediately though City bomb forward and Dzeko wins a corner on the right.
    • 29' That was decent football by Norwich, as Morison held it up wide left before starting a move that almost saw Bennet put in down the right - Clichy intercepted though.
    • 28' Norwich with a rare spell of possession now as they work it down the left.
    • 27' Nasri moves forward, inside to Silva, one-two with Yaya and back to the Ivorian who flings a high one beyond Dzeko and the marauding Richards.
    • 26' Norwich's problem is hlighlighted as a decent clearance turns into a pass aimed at Morison - who has no-one near him in support and loses out to City's defence on halfway.
    • 25' City still probing away but Norwich haver everyone bar Morison behind the ball.
    • 24' The free-kick is a good 35 yards out and Yaya takes it short. City building patiently again...
    • 23' Surman is the first player to be booked for a slide on Silva. Bit harsh.
    • 22' This latest spell of passing has gone beyond a minute but the cross from wide left is just over Dzeko's head and drifts away to safety.
    • 21' Norwich can't get it beyond halfway at the moment, City come forward again with Nasri, now Barry, Silva, short passing once more...
    • 20' Richards with a bounding run down the right but his cross is over the heads of Dzeko and co and Norwich survive - still with City though...
    • 19' Offside on Richards, who is in the Norwich box to try meet a Silva ball.
    • 18' Hurled into the City box by Norwich, Morison knocks it down but to no-one in particular and the hosts clear.
    • 17' Smacked over by Aguero from the penalty spot. Bodies everywhere and he snatched at it. He pleads a deflection but no chance.
    • 16' Yes, I know there are two Cities. When I say "City" I refer to the hosts.
    • 15' However, once the decision of how to play it beyond halfway comes, Norwich are regularly found short, knocking it to touch once more.
    • 14' Dzeko tries to turn into space but the well-drilled visiting defence close him down and play it clear.
    • 13' City playing a Barca-style keep-ball game deep in the Norwich half, but the visitors have men behind the ball.
    • 12' Norwich survive that corner and get the ball to touch on City's left. City clearly riled by that Morison chance and are hammering Norwich now.
    • 11' All of a sudden the match has opened up and Dzeko has a shot deflected wide for a corner. Earlier Naughton had to hoof it away from danger on the edge of the six-yard box.
    • 10' ... and it opens up for them with City's defence nowhere, Morison races clean through, he's one-on-one on the edge of the box but a terrible touch sends it to Hart! Morison lunges in and almost takes Hart's head off but the ball spins clear!
    • 9' Silva tries a long-range thunderbolt but blocked. Norwich counter now...
    • 8' Yaya on the ball, he initially seems set to put it long but instead goes short to Nasri. Patient...
    • 7' Norwich have men behind the ball as an attempted exchange between Silva and Dzeko doesn't come off.
    • 6' A moderately cagey start by City's elevated standards. Back with Clichy, who finds Hart and then Richards...
    • 5' City with some neat passing but Bennett covering is able to bring it clear.
    • 4' Smart ball over the top is spotted by Naughton with Dzeko getting forward.
    • 3' A long-range effort from Morison goes well wide. He spotted Hart off his line and tried a spectacular volley but it was well off.
    • 2' First chance goes to City aas Dzeko drags a low shot a yard wide after good movement on the edge of the box. Ruddy had it well covered.
    • 1' The first half is underway!
    • 15:00 A minute's applause and song for the late Gary Speed, fans from both sides holding Wales flags and placards aloft.
    • 14:58 FACTS: Manchester City have been the most clinical side in the Premier League scoring with 22% of attempt; Manchester City have scored the highest percentage of goals in the second half of games (72%); Man City have scored four headed goals from just six headers on target; A league-high 47% of the goals Norwich have scored have come from crosses (OPTA)
    • 14:55 FACT: Manchester City have taken 46 from a possible 48 points in their last 16 games at the Etihad Stadium and won the last 11 in a row; Norwich have won just one of their last 36 top flight away games (OPTA).
    • 14:50 Paul Lambert: "I don't lose sleep over it. Manchester City are where they are for a reason and have got some top players. Manchester City have a fabulous football club with a manager who has seen it and done it, some great players." More here
    • 14:45 Roberto Mancini: "Mario should pay attention and he should be clever. I can do nothing - only he is on the pitch. He should pay attention and think only about football and not other things." More here
    • 14:40 For Norwich, Ritchie de Laet does not make the cut after failing a fitness test on a back injury; Zak Whitbread does return to the squad though. Daniel Ayala, James Vaughan and Elliott Ward (all knee) remain on the sidelines.
    • 14:35 Mario Balotelli returns from suspension but is only on the bench, with Sergio Aguero partnering Edin Dzeko. Gareth Barry is also back from suspension, but he starts in centre-mid. Alexandr Kolarov does not recover from an injury in time so Gael Clichy continues at left back.
    • 14:30 Referee: Howard Webb (S Yorkshire)
    • 14:25 TEAMS - Manchester City: Hart, Richards, Kompany, Kolo, Clichy, Yaya, Barry, Nasri, Silva, Aguero, Dzeko; Subs: Subs: Pantilimon, Lescott, Milner, Johnson, Savic, De Jong, Balotelli /// Norwich: Ruddy, Martin, Johnson, Morison, Crofts, Surman, Pilkington, Bennett, Barnett, Tierney, Naughton; Subs: Subs: Rudd, Whitbread, Holt, Jackson, Hoolahan, Fox, Wilbraham
    • 14:20 The hosts are top of the league, five points clear of city rivals Manchester United. Norwich, meanwhile, are an impressive 10th given their resources. They are level on points with Aston Villa and Everton, with the latter boasting a game in hand. Premier League standings
    • 14:15 Hello and welcome to our LIVE coverage of Manchester City and Norwich's Premier League clash at Eastlands, kicking off at 3pm.

  • Summary

    • 90+1 GOAL MAN CITY! 5-1 as Johnson passes it into the far corner after Kompany finds him on the edge of the box. That came about from some lunatic defending from Hoolahan, who was trying to dribble it out from the corner. Not great keeping either from Ruddy.
    • 89' Holt goes close as his effort is deflected wide. Corner Norwich, but City clear.
    • 87' GOAL MAN CITY! 4-1. Balotelli, recently shorn after his spate of comedy haircuts, scores a hilarious goal with his shoulder after Ruddy saved his initial effort.
    • 85' Balotelli almost gets his hairdo on to the corner but Norwich are able to clear. Down the other end Norwich break and Surman drags a low shot wide!
    • 81' CORRECTION - the cross was Marc Tierney's I am told. That is Morison's fifth club goal of the season and his fourth in six for club and country.
    • 80' NORWICH SCORE! Steve Morison flies in with a header into the top right after a lovely cross from Fox I think.
    • 75' Bad miss by Dzeko, who gets one-on-one after terrible defending from Martin but flicks a lofted finish high and wide. Gotta score there big fella.
    • 68' GOAL MAN CITY! Yaya makes it 3-0. The corner is blocked back to Nasri, who finds Silva who in turn finds Toure, who drags a cute low finish into the bottom right.
    • 57' Good double save from Ruddy from Silva and then off Aguero at the rebound. The first was a long-ranger he batted out, the second from closer in with his legs. Corner.
    • 51' Nasri will swing this in with his right AND IT'S A HOWLER FROM RUDDY! The ball missed everyone and it was going into his arms but he let it slip through his hands and in. A goal for Nasri but all Ruddy's fault.
    • 49' Nasri down the right dips in a wicked cross that drops just beyond the lunge of Dzeko!
    • 47' Chance for Norwich! Bennett with a super run to race on to Morison's flick on, he gets around Hart who has come rushing out but is far too wide and spanks the finish over!
    • 37' After a long spell of possession Yaya knocks a high one in for Dzeko, who takes it on his chest but blasts high and wide from a very acute angle!
    • 34' OVER FROM AGUERO! Not so good this time, the Norwich defence opening up as Nasri's low cross is deflected into his path. Should have got that on target, keep it down son!
    • 32' GOAL CITY! Wonderful by Aguero to turn on a sixpence surrounded by defenders and flick a cute low finish bottom left. Poor defending by Barnett let Richards in down the right initially, the right-back cutting it back to Aguero.
    • 17' Smacked over by Aguero from the penalty spot. Bodies everywhere and he snatched at it. He pleads a deflection but no chance.
    • 11' All of a sudden the match has opened up and Dzeko has a shot deflected wide for a corner. Earlier Naughton had to hoof it away from danger on the edge of the six-yard box.
    • 10' ... and it opens up for them with City's defence nowhere, Morison races clean through, he's one-on-one on the edge of the box but a terrible touch sends it to Hart! Morison lunges in and almost takes Hart's head off but the ball spins clear!
    • 14:25 TEAMS - Manchester City: Hart, Richards, Kompany, Kolo, Clichy, Yaya, Barry, Nasri, Silva, Aguero, Dzeko; Subs: Subs: Pantilimon, Lescott, Milner, Johnson, Savic, De Jong, Balotelli /// Norwich: Ruddy, Martin, Johnson, Morison, Crofts, Surman, Pilkington, Bennett, Barnett, Tierney, Naughton; Subs: Subs: Rudd, Whitbread, Holt, Jackson, Hoolahan, Fox, Wilbraham

Team Line-up & Ratings

  • Line-up

    Live Team Line-Up

  • Rate Players

    Rate Players

    Please to rate the players.

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    • Player Y! Users Expert My Rating
      Goalkeeper
      7 6
      Defenders
      6.9 7
      6.3 7
      6.7 7
      6.3 7
      Midfielders
      Goal 7.2 7
      7.1 7
      Goal Substitution Out69′ 7.3 7
      8.3 7
      Strikers
      Goal Substitution Out72′ 8.1 8
      Substitution Out82′ 7.5 7
      Subs
      Substitution In82′ 5.7 6
      Substitution In69′ Goal 7.2 7
      Substitution In72′ Goal 7 7
    • Player Y! Users Expert My Rating
      Goalkeeper
      4.6 5
      Defenders
      3.9 6
      4.2 5
      4.1 5
      4.1 7
      Midfielders
      3.9 7
      Substitution Out77′ 4.2 6
      Substitution Out60′ 4.1 7
      Substitution Out60′ 4.8 6
      Strikers
      Yellow Card 4.2 6
      Goal 4.9 7
      Subs
      Substitution In60′ 5.8 6
      Substitution In60′ 4 5
      Substitution In77′ 4.3 6

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