Raheem Sterling scored a hat-trick as Manchester City increased their lead at the top of the Premier League to 12 points with a victory that keeps Norwich in the relegation zone.
The England forward curled in a delightful opener for the defending champions and grabbed his second 20 minutes from time with a simple header from close range.
The 27-year-old completed his hat-trick in the 90th minute but only after Angus Gunn saved his penalty, Sterling tapping in the rebound.
Phil Foden had scrambled in City’s second immediately after the break to put the game beyond Norwich, who earlier hit the post from Grant Hanley’s header.
But the visitors were dominant and always looked comfortable at Carrow Road.
Pep Guardiola’s side are now unbeaten in the league since October. Their closest challengers Liverpool have two games in hand.
The Canaries remain 18th, one point and one place from a position of safety, though they have played more games than the sides around them.
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Sterling shines as City march on
With a trip to Portugal to face Sporting Lisbon in the last 16 of the Champions League to come on Tuesday, Guardiola made five changes to his side but sacrificed none of City’s fluid attacking prowess.
Foden had the ball in the net early on but was caught offside by a well-drilled Norwich defensive line and Bernardo Silva struck the inside of the far post with a low, measured effort.
Guardiola continues to insist his side are “in a fight to win the league” despite their healthy advantage over second-placed Liverpool, who visit Burnley on Sunday.
The Spaniard also says it will take more than 90 points to fend off Jurgen Klopp’s side this season and City looked certain to move closer to that target when Sterling opened the scoring just after the half-hour mark.
Kyle Walker’s cross fizzed all the way through to Sterling on the edge of the box and he shifted it on to his right foot before bending a superb effort into the far corner for his first Premier League goal since December.
City have only lost two of their past 46 Premier League games when leading at the break and Foden’s effort straight after half-time made Norwich’s task even harder.
The 21-year-old’s first attempt was blocked by home goalkeeper Gunn at close range and Canaries defender Hanley attempted to hook the second off the line, but to no avail.
City have not lost in 15 league games since a defeat by Crystal Palace in October and, after Sterling added his second from Ruben Dias’ nod down, Guardiola took the chance to give minutes to some of his younger players, with Liam Delap, James McAtee and Kayky all coming on.
It was 19-year-old Delap who won the penalty that led to Sterling completing his fifth league hat-trick for the club, albeit having to tap-in on the follow up after Gunn saved smartly from his initial spot kick.
Norwich outclassed but show promise
There appears to have been a shift in mentality at Norwich since Dean Smith’s arrival and the boss said beforehand it was “11 humans v 11 humans”, wanting his side to believe they could trouble the league leaders despite their own precarious position.
The Canaries did start promisingly, taking the game to City when in possession, and Teemu Pukki tested Ederson from an angle before Hanley hit the post with a towering header.
But City can open sides up in an instant and, having not long made a smart stop from the same player, goalkeeper Gunn stood no chance with Sterling’s curling opener.
That seemed to break the hosts’ resolve and they fell victim to City’s ruthless attack, but Smith will be able to take some positives from his side’s performance.
He also knows Norwich’s fate will not be decided by their results against the top two – they have an unenviable trip to Liverpool next – and will want to reproduce the moments when they tested City in the games against their relegation rivals still to come.
Player of the match
FodenPhil Foden
with an average of 7.87
Norwich City
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Squad number8Player nameGilmour
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Squad number28Player nameGunn
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Squad number5Player nameHanley
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Squad number22Player namePukki
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Squad number21Player nameWilliams
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Squad number17Player nameRashica
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Squad number2Player nameAarons
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Squad number4Player nameGibson
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Squad number20Player nameLees-Melou
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Squad number23Player nameMcLean
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Squad number24Player nameSargent
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Squad number3Player nameByram
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Squad number16Player nameNormann
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Squad number10Player nameDowell
Manchester City
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Squad number47Player nameFoden
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Squad number20Player nameBernardo Silva -
Squad number8Player nameGündogan -
Squad number3Player nameRúben Dias -
Squad number25Player nameFernandinho -
Squad number7Player nameSterling -
Squad number31Player nameEderson -
Squad number26Player nameMahrez -
Squad number2Player nameWalker -
Squad number48Player nameDelap
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Squad number6Player nameAké
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Squad number11Player nameZinchenko -
Squad number87Player nameMcAtee
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Squad number37Player nameKayky
Line-ups
Norwich
Formation 4-3-3
- 28Gunn
- 2AaronsSubstituted forByramat 63′minutes
- 5Hanley
- 4Gibson
- 21Williams
- 8Gilmour
- 20Lees-MelouSubstituted forNormannat 63′minutes
- 23McLean
- 24SargentSubstituted forDowellat 87′minutes
- 22Pukki
- 17Rashica
Substitutes
- 3Byram
- 6Zimmermann
- 10Dowell
- 11Placheta
- 16Normann
- 18Tzolis
- 30Giannoulis
- 33McGovern
- 46Rowe
Man City
Formation 4-3-3
- 31Ederson
- 2Walker
- 3Rúben DiasBooked at 17mins
- 6Aké
- 11Zinchenko
- 20Bernardo SilvaSubstituted forMcAteeat 75′minutes
- 25Fernandinho
- 8Gündogan
- 26MahrezSubstituted forKaykyat 84′minutes
- 47FodenSubstituted forDelapat 82′minutes
- 7SterlingBooked at 90mins
Substitutes
- 5Stones
- 14Laporte
- 16Rodri
- 17De Bruyne
- 27Cancelo
- 33Carson
- 37Kayky
- 48Delap
- 87McAtee
- Referee:
- Andre Marriner
- Attendance:
- 27,010
Live Text
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Match ends, Norwich City 0, Manchester City 4.
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Second Half ends, Norwich City 0, Manchester City 4.
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Raheem Sterling (Manchester City) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
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Foul by Raheem Sterling (Manchester City).
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Kieran Dowell (Norwich City) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
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Foul by Liam Delap (Manchester City).
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Ben Gibson (Norwich City) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Goal! Norwich City 0, Manchester City 4. Raheem Sterling (Manchester City) left footed shot from very close range to the bottom left corner following a set piece situation.
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Penalty saved! Raheem Sterling (Manchester City) fails to capitalise on this great opportunity, right footed shot saved in the bottom right corner.
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Penalty Manchester City. Liam Delap draws a foul in the penalty area.
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Penalty conceded by Ben Gibson (Norwich City) after a foul in the penalty area.
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Foul by Kayky (Manchester City).
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Brandon Williams (Norwich City) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Substitution, Norwich City. Kieran Dowell replaces Joshua Sargent.
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Substitution, Manchester City. Kayky replaces Riyad Mahrez.
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Foul by James McAtee (Manchester City).
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Milot Rashica (Norwich City) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Riyad Mahrez (Manchester City) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Foul by Kenny McLean (Norwich City).
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Substitution, Manchester City. Liam Delap replaces Phil Foden.
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Raheem Sterling has scored five hat-tricks in the Premier League for Manchester CityRaheem Sterling scored a hat-trick as Manchester City increased their lead at the top of the Premier League to 12 points with a victory that keeps Norwich in the relegation zone.The England forward curled in a delightful opener for the defending champions and grabbed his second 20 minutes from time with a simple header from close range.The 27-year-old completed his hat-trick in the 90th minute but only after Angus Gunn saved his penalty, Sterling tapping in the rebound. Phil Foden had scrambled in City’s second immediately after the break to put the game beyond Norwich, who earlier hit the post from Grant Hanley’s header. But the visitors were dominant and always looked comfortable at Carrow Road. Pep Guardiola’s side are now unbeaten in the league since October. Their closest challengers Liverpool have two games in hand. The Canaries remain 18th, one point and one place from a position of safety, though they have played more games than the sides around them. Why Sterling is ‘perfect fit’ for Man City – but will he commit?Reaction to Saturday’s Premier League gamesVisit our Norwich City pageGo straight to all the best Manchester City contentSterling shines as City march onWith a trip to Portugal to face Sporting Lisbon in the last 16 of the Champions League to come on Tuesday, Guardiola made five changes to his side but sacrificed none of City’s fluid attacking prowess.Foden had the ball in the net early on but was caught offside by a well-drilled Norwich defensive line and Bernardo Silva struck the inside of the far post with a low, measured effort.Guardiola continues to insist his side are “in a fight to win the league” despite their healthy advantage over second-placed Liverpool, who visit Burnley on Sunday.It looks easy to play like this, but it’s very difficult – GuardiolaThe Spaniard also says it will take more than 90 points to fend off Jurgen Klopp’s side this season and City looked certain to move closer to that target when Sterling opened the scoring just after the half-hour mark. Kyle Walker’s cross fizzed all the way through to Sterling on the edge of the box and he shifted it on to his right foot before bending a superb effort into the far corner for his first Premier League goal since December.City have only lost two of their past 46 Premier League games when leading at the break and Foden’s effort straight after half-time made Norwich’s task even harder. The 21-year-old’s first attempt was blocked by home goalkeeper Gunn at close range and Canaries defender Hanley attempted to hook the second off the line, but to no avail. City have not lost in 15 league games since a defeat by Crystal Palace in October and, after Sterling added his second from Ruben Dias’ nod down, Guardiola took the chance to give minutes to some of his younger players, with Liam Delap, James McAtee and Kayky all coming on.It was 19-year-old Delap who won the penalty that led to Sterling completing his fifth league hat-trick for the club, albeit having to tap-in on the follow up after Gunn saved smartly from his initial spot kick. Norwich outclassed but show promiseThere appears to have been a shift in mentality at Norwich since Dean Smith’s arrival and the boss said beforehand it was “11 humans v 11 humans”, wanting his side to believe they could trouble the league leaders despite their own precarious position.The Canaries did start promisingly, taking the game to City when in possession, and Teemu Pukki tested Ederson from an angle before Hanley hit the post with a towering header. Manner of City goals frustrates SmithBut City can open sides up in an instant and, having not long made a smart stop from the same player, goalkeeper Gunn stood no chance with Sterling’s curling opener.That seemed to break the hosts’ resolve and they fell victim to City’s ruthless attack, but Smith will be able to take some positives from his side’s performance. He also knows Norwich’s fate will not be decided by their results against the top two – they have an unenviable trip to Liverpool next – and will want to reproduce the moments when they tested City in the games against their relegation rivals still to come. Player of the matchFodenPhil Fodenwith an average of 7.87Norwich CitySquad number8Player nameGilmourSquad number28Player nameGunnSquad number5Player nameHanleySquad number22Player namePukkiSquad number21Player nameWilliamsSquad number17Player nameRashicaSquad number2Player nameAaronsSquad number4Player nameGibsonSquad number20Player nameLees-MelouSquad number23Player nameMcLeanSquad number24Player nameSargentSquad number3Player nameByramSquad number16Player nameNormannSquad number10Player nameDowellManchester CitySquad number47Player nameFodenSquad number20Player nameBernardo SilvaSquad number8Player nameGündoganSquad number3Player nameRúben DiasSquad number25Player nameFernandinhoSquad number7Player nameSterlingSquad number31Player nameEdersonSquad number26Player nameMahrezSquad number2Player nameWalkerSquad number48Player nameDelapSquad number6Player nameAkéSquad number11Player nameZinchenkoSquad number87Player nameMcAteeSquad number37Player nameKaykyLine-upsNorwichFormation 4-3-328Gunn2Aarons5Hanley4Gibson21Williams8Gilmour20Lees-Melou23McLean24Sargent22Pukki17Rashica28Gunn2AaronsSubstituted forByramat 63’minutes5Hanley4Gibson21Williams8Gilmour20Lees-MelouSubstituted forNormannat 63’minutes23McLean24SargentSubstituted forDowellat 87’minutes22Pukki17RashicaSubstitutes3Byram6Zimmermann10Dowell11Placheta16Normann18Tzolis30Giannoulis33McGovern46RoweMan CityFormation 4-3-331Ederson2Walker3Rúben Dias6Aké11Zinchenko20Bernardo Silva25Fernandinho8Gündogan26Mahrez47Foden7Sterling31Ederson2Walker3Rúben DiasBooked at 17mins6Aké11Zinchenko20Bernardo SilvaSubstituted forMcAteeat 75’minutes25Fernandinho8Gündogan26MahrezSubstituted forKaykyat 84’minutes47FodenSubstituted forDelapat 82’minutes7SterlingBooked at 90minsSubstitutes5Stones14Laporte16Rodri17De Bruyne27Cancelo33Carson37Kayky48Delap87McAteeReferee:Andre MarrinerAttendance:27,010Live TextMatch ends, Norwich City 0, Manchester City 4.Second Half ends, Norwich City 0, Manchester City 4.Raheem Sterling (Manchester City) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.Foul by Raheem Sterling (Manchester City).Kieran Dowell (Norwich City) wins a free kick in the attacking half.Foul by Liam Delap (Manchester City).Ben Gibson (Norwich City) wins a free kick in the defensive half.Goal! Norwich City 0, Manchester City 4. Raheem Sterling (Manchester City) left footed shot from very close range to the bottom left corner following a set piece situation.Penalty saved! Raheem Sterling (Manchester City) fails to capitalise on this great opportunity, right footed shot saved in the bottom right corner.Penalty Manchester City. Liam Delap draws a foul in the penalty area.Penalty conceded by Ben Gibson (Norwich City) after a foul in the penalty area.Foul by Kayky (Manchester City).Brandon Williams (Norwich City) wins a free kick in the defensive half.Substitution, Norwich City. Kieran Dowell replaces Joshua Sargent.Substitution, Manchester City. Kayky replaces Riyad Mahrez.Foul by James McAtee (Manchester City).Milot Rashica (Norwich City) wins a free kick in the defensive half.Riyad Mahrez (Manchester City) wins a free kick in the defensive half.Foul by Kenny McLean (Norwich City).Substitution, Manchester City. Liam Delap replaces Phil Foden.Our coverage of your Premier League club is bigger and better than ever before – here’s everything you need to know to make sure you never miss a moment