Stubborn Norwich City dent Manchester City’s title hopes in hard-fought goalless tie
Norwich City's Gary O'Neil (left) vies for the ball with Manchester City's Sergio Aguero during their English Premier League match at Carrow Road in Norwich, England on Saturday
Norwich (UK): A resolute Norwich City placed a dent in Manchester City's Premier League title aspirations with a hard-fought 0-0 draw at Carrow Road on Saturday.
Norwich City's Gary O'Neil (left) vies for the ball with Manchester City's Sergio Aguero during their English Premier League match at Carrow Road in Norwich, England on Saturday. Pic/AFP
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Manchester City enjoyed plenty of possession, but aside from a Sergio Aguero effort that was superbly saved by John Ruddy in the first half, they created precious little.
It could have been so much worse for Manuel Pellegrini's side had Patrick Bamford's 25-yard half-volley had sneaked into the goal.
City fall behind
Norwich remain in the bottom three, below Sunderland on goal difference, while Manchester City are now nine points behind leaders Leicester City, who host Rafael Benitez's Newcastle United tomorrow (Monday).
The result also jeopardised the visitors' hopes of Champions League qualification, which would be an embarrassing scenario ahead of Pep Guardiola's arrival as manager. Manchester City began with a 4-4-2 formation, the muscular presence of Wilfried Bony providing support for 21-goal striker Aguero in attack.
Immediately the visitors took charge of possession, with David Silva drifting in from the left flank to link the attack, while Jesus Navas provided width on the right.
Norwich had claimed just one point from their previous nine league matches — their worst run since 1946 — and they looked edgy in the opening exchanges against a team who had won 3-0 at Carrow Road in the FA Cup earlier in the season.
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