Manchester City 5 Norwich 1

FIVE-STAR Manchester City thrashed Norwich as they maintained their 100 per cent home record in the Premier League.

Sergio Aguero poked the ball through a crowded box for his 13th goal of the season to give Roberto Mancini's side a first-half lead.

City doubled their advantage when Norwich keeper John Ruddy let Samir Nasri's free-kick float into his net before Yaya Toure curled in a third. Steve Morison pulled one back for the Canaries but it was never more than a consolation as subs Mario Balotelli and Adam Johnson scored numbers four and five for a rampant City.

Mancini's men have now scored 48 goals in the league this season and have bagged three or more in 11 of those games.

But first team coach David Platt believes the number of goals they score is not important as long as they continue winning games.

Platt said: "The goals are irrelevant as long as we get the points.

"You hear things leading into the week, playing against a newly-promoted side — albeit one that have done quite well for themselves and are in a mid-table position.

"People automatically assume now we are going to go out and get five, six, seven or eight goals against these teams.

"To be honest, we would take one as long as there was no reply because that would get you three points all the same."

Roberto Mancini started with both Dzeko and Aguero in attack and it was the Bosnian who had City's first chance but dragged his long-range strike wide.

Norwich's Welsh striker Steve Morison then had a great chance for the visitors but was let down by his touch after rounding Joe Hart.

A mazy run from Nasri created a chance for Aguero, who volleyed over from seven yards.

But it was the Argy striker who got a well-deserved opener for a dominant City after 32 minutes.

Micah Richards pulled the ball back for Aguero who did well to squeeze the ball through a crowded area and past Ruddy for his 11th league goal of the season.

Despite City's dominance, Norwich could have levelled things up just two minutes into the second half but Elliot Bennett pushed himself too far wide as he rounded Joe Hart and skied his shot.

Paul Lambert's men were then left ruing that miss as Ruddy had a moment to forget.

Samir Nasri floated in a 35-yard free-kick which escaped all of the Norwich defence before the ball bounced in front of the Canaries stopper and skidded off his left palm into the net.

City's third came in the 68th minute as Nasri came short to play a one-two with Silva at a corner and the Spaniard fed Yaya Toure on the edge of the box.

Source: thesun