Premier League leaders Manchester City have secured a 2-1 win over Norwich City at the Etihad Stadium, in a match which exploded into life in the last 10 minutes.
The Citizens had the better of things in the first half but could not convert their dominance into goals until the 67th minute when Nicolas Otamendi thumped a header home from a corner.
Just six minutes from time, Joe Hart spilled a Robbie Brady cross to give Cameron Jerome the opportunity to equalise from close range, which he did not pass up.
Moments later, however, the Canaries threw it away when Russell Martin was shown red for a deliberate handball on the goalline, an act which preceded a penalty drilled hard into the bottom corner by Yaya Toure.
Here is how Sports Mole covered the action in Manchester.
Good afternoon and welcome to Sports Mole's live commentary of the Premier League clash between Manchester City and Norwich City!
Manuel Pellegrini's high-flying charges welcome their East Anglian opponents to Manchester aiming to make it three wins from their last four games in the league.
The Canaries, meanwhile, have lost three in a row in the PL and were beaten on penalties by Everton during the League Cup in midweek.
Team news have just been confirmed - here they are...
MAN CITY STARTING XI: Hart, Sagna, Kompany, Otamendi, Kolarov, Toure, Fernandinho, Navas, De Bruyne, Bony, Iheanacho
NORWICH STARTING XI: Ruddy, Bennett, Martin, Bassong, Brady, Mulumbu, Tettey, Olsson, Howson, Jarvis, Jerome
MAN CITY SUBS: Caballero, Demichelis, Mangala, Fernando, Garcia, Roberts, Sterling
NORWICH SUBS: Rudd, Whittaker, Grabban, Hoolahan, Dorrans, Redmond, O'Neil
So both teams revert back to their first team squads following their League Cup games in midweek. City make five changes and draft in Joe Hart, Bacary Sagna, Vincent Kompany, Nicolas Otamendi and Fernandinho, with Willy Caballero, Martin Demichelis, Eliaquim Mangala and Fernando on the bench, while Pablo Zabaleta suffered knee ligament damage in midweek and is out, along with Samir Nasri, Gael Clichy, Sergio Aguero and Fabian Delph.
Seven changes for Alex Neil's side, meanwhile, with John Ruddy, Russell Martin, Matt Jarvis, Alexander Tettey, Robbie Brady, Jonny Howson and Cameron Jerome back in the visitors' starting XI.
On-loan Liverpool defender Andre Wisdom is out with a knee injury, while Dieumerci Mbokani also misses out with illness. Midfielder Youssouf Mulumbu returned from pre-season foot surgery to play in the League Cup against Everton and is indeed involved in the squad again.
Man City are back in league action after last week's highly hyped but ultimately underwhelming Manchester derby. The game, which finished goalless, potentially presented Pellegrini with some concerns regarding the capability of his forward line without the presence of Sergio Aguero, but the City boss will be pleased with what he saw defensively away from home.
Vincent Kompany came back into the side to efficiently stifle Wayne Rooney, the Belgian's return to action also coming alongside a standout performance from defensive partner Nicolas Otamendi.
That defensive showing would have undoubtedly filled the Citizens with great confidence and they will be confident of another effective shutout against out of an out-of-form Norwich side this afternoon.
Now onto Norwich, for whom things are not going so well. Neil has led his side to just two wins out of 10 games this term, leading to them languishing in the lower reaches of the table.
What will be increasingly worrying is that the Canaries have failed to pick up a point in three league contests, having suffered damaging defeats to Leicester City, Newcastle United and West Bromwich Albion - with two of those losses coming at Carrow Road.
Those two home defeats were at the hands of Leicester and West Brom in games that Norwich were unable to claim a goal, something that Neil will need to change if the club are to ensure survival this season.
The League Cup did, however, showcase some positive signs of a revival as Norwich pushed Everton all the way to penalties at Goodison Park, but they will know that they will soon need points more than performances during the tough winter months.
Goals are not really the major concern just yet as Norwich have scored 14 in 10 league fixtures, but they have also conceded a second-worst tally of 21 without managing to keep a clean sheet all season.
VIDEO PREVIEW: With less than half an hour to go, now is a good time to check out Sports Mole's video match preview of this game, courtesy of our top pundits.
Alternatively, if you're out and about and would prefer an audio preview, Sports Mole has taken this into account - so here is an audio preview!
Pellegrini has spoken of his side's performances despite having a sizeable number of players missing: "I think that the performance [the 5-1 win over Crystal Palace] was very good. Now we must repeat it. I never complain about the amount of injuries but to keep playing this way with so many missing and scoring goals is important for the trust of the team."
This is Neil's take on the task ahead of him and his side at the Etihad: "West Ham went there and managed to get something, so there's no reason why we can't go and be competitive. Hopefully we can cause them some problems but also make sure that we're defensively sound. We struck that balance well when we went to Liverpool. That was the game from this season that will be most like this one."
HEAD TO HEAD: Norwich's only win over Man City in the last 10 league and cup meetings came at the Etihad on the final day of the 2012-13 season. Jonny Howson scored the decisive goal in a 3-2 victory. It is Norwich's only triumph in 20 top-flight matches against the Citizens.
Yaya Toure, who starts for Man City today, has been directly involved in five goals - two goals and three assists - in his six Premier League appearances against Norwich.
Man City have scored 27 goals in their last seven Premier League games against Norwich, including a 7-0 victory in November 2013 which equalled the Canaries' club record defeat.
And to make things even worse for Norwich, they have scored a total of three own goals in the last four Premier League encounters against Man City.
PREDICTION: Needless to say, it looks like an incredibly tall order for Norwich to get anything from this game. My prediction is for Man City to win by three or more goals - I reckon 4-1.
As things stand, Man City are at the top of the Premier League on goal difference, though Arsenal - who visit Swansea City this afternoon - are hot on their heels with both teams on 22 points from 10 games played.
Also waiting to pounce are West Ham United and Manchester United, who could both go top if the teams above them mess up. The Hammers and the Red Devils are both on 20 points, while Leicester City are a further point behind.
Norwich, meanwhile, are three points clear of the drop zone, but they slip further into the mire if they fail to get a result and Bournemouth, Sunderland and Newcastle United get something from their matchday games.
The players are warmed up, the sprinklers are out readying the pitch, and we just have a few minutes before proceedings get underway here at the Etihad.
There have been 32 goals in the last six meetings between these sides. And that's including a 0-0 draw. Should be an exciting one then!
KICKOFF: We are underway! Norwich kick off at the Etihad. The man in charge in today's encounter is Robert Madley.
Toure sends a ball towards Bony, but the striker is offside as he chests the ball down in the box.
Navas drives a cross in, but the ball bypasses both Iheanacho and Bony, and goes out for a throw in to Norwich.
Kolarov swings in a free kick from the left and Otamendi makes contact, but he can't control his header.
Confident opening from the hosts, who are content to stroke the ball around and make Norwich chase in these early minutes.
CHANCE! Martin and Ruddy switch off as a long ball bounces between them and finds Iheanacho, who is left with a good chance to score from close range, but the Norwich goalkeeper makes a good save in the nick of time.
Norwich are defending deep here. Toure looks to play in De Bruyne, but Brady helps get the ball back to Ruddy. Man City have had over 70 percent possession so far - could be a long afternoon for the Canaries.
CHANCE! A skilful turn from Bony sees him get the better of Bassong and allows the striker to fire on goal from 18 yards. Ruddy is well behind it, however, and punches clear.
Brady gets away from Kolarov down the left flank and tries to play a pass towards Jerome, but Kompany is on hand to thwart the opportunity.
Norwich enjoy their first significant spell of possession and they manage to win a corner after Otamendi nods Olsson's cross behind.
Tettey is left unmarked at the back post but his effort is charged down, before Jarvis crosses back in, but the ball runs behind.
Jerome gets away from Kompany after latching onto a long ball forward, but he finds himself isolated and Man City quickly win possession back.
A careless touch from Brady gifts Man City a corner after Sagna's tame cross from the right. Otamendi then gets his head on Kolarov's set piece but the ball floats nicely into the arms of Ruddy.
CHANCE! Man City come so close to taking the lead. Iheanacho feeds Bony in the area, who then storms past Bassong, but from just 12 yards out he rifles wide.
A short suspension in play occurs as Olsson receives treatment from the Norwich physios following a challenge on Sagna.
De Bruyne finds some space 25 yards out and attempts to thread a through ball down to Bony, but Bassong does well to read it and get the danger cleared.
De Bruyne is found through the middle and he tees up Bony, but the striker once again fails to find the target.
CHANCE! Brady threads a ball through to Jarvis, who lets rip with a snapshot on the edge of the box, but Hart acrobatically keeps it out.
A bit of a lull following Norwich's chance, but now Man City have a free kick in shooting range after De Bruyne is clipped by Brady.
The set piece is delayed as Jarvis receives some treatment after an earlier coming together with Toure. He is hobbling, but should be alright to carry on.
SAVE! The free kick is fiercely struck by Toure towards the top corner, but Ruddy leaps to his right and tips the ball wide.
De Bruyne thwarts a Norwich counterattack thanks to a trip on Howson, but the Belgium international receives a yellow for his troubles.
Fernandinho launches a pass forward towards Toure, but the Ivorian fails to get enough contact on the ball as it runs clear for Norwich through Olsson.
Fans hold a minute's applause in the 35th minute for Man City supporter Chris Shaw, who died of cancer last week at the age of 35.
Toure tries to find Navas as some sloppy defending lets Man City through the back lines, but the Spaniard is judged to be offside.
CHANCE! Toure's pinpoint pass finds the onrushing De Bruyne, who times his run perfectly, but his flick-on towards Bony is poor. The former Wolfsburg man had much more time than he appeared to think.
CHANCE! Another opportunity for Man City as Kompany's diving header goes narrowly wide from Kolarov's corner.
One minute of added time here at the Etihad.
HALF TIME: MAN CITY 0-0 NORWICH
After 45 minutes plus a minute of injury time, both teams are goalless at the break. Man City have huffed and puffed but have not been able to break Norwich's defences. Wilfried Bony weighed in with a number of chances, though his finishing could have been better, but Matt Jarvis came close for Norwich too
On paper, Man City should have been several goals ahead, with 71 percent possession, 11 chances - though only three on goal - and six corners. Alas, Norwich have held their own very well and deserve the half-time parity.
The rest of the top-flight fixtures are also proving quite thrifty on the goalscoring front, with just Watford and West Bromwich Albion having scored against West Ham United and Leicester City respectively. The rest, all stalemates.
When I say the rest, I mean the 3pm kickoffs - Liverpool and Chelsea shared four goals between them in the midday game, and three of those strikes went to Liverpool. Yes, Jose Mourinho has fallen to yet another defeat. Just what is happening at Stamford Bridge this season?
Only two Man City players have spent most of their time in their own half, while only two Norwich players have spent most of their time in the opposition half. Doesn't matter, still goalless. Can the Canaries keep it up and secure a result? Stay with Sports Mole and all will be unveiled.
KICKOFF: Man City get the second half underway.
SUBSTITUTION: One change for the visitors as Nathan Redmond comes on for Matt Jarvis for the second 45 minutes.
Redmond nearly makes an immediate impact for Neil's side as he gets the better of Fernandinho in the middle of the park, runs at Man City's back four and finds Tettey, but the midfielder can't get his shot away with Otamendi making a crucial intervention.
Olsson and Navas in a race for the ball down Man City's right, but the winger fouls Norwich's defender. A bright start to the second half from the visitors, who are controlling possession in the hosts' half at the moment.
A slow start here, with Man City standing off Norwich rather than pressing them. Pellegrini's side seem devoid of ideas at the minute.
CHANCE! Bassong clatters into Bony in the box - Man City appeal for a penalty, but the ref decides to play advantage as De Bruyne lets rip with his left foot and smashes over the bar.
SUBSTITUTION: Kelechi Iheanacho's first Premier League start comes to an end, with Raheem Sterling replacing him.
Sagna latches onto De Bruyne's acrobatic pass down the right-hand side and plays in Navas, but the Spaniard's cross is too heavy for Sterling at the back post.
Sterling makes his first mark in the game, whipping in a cross from the left, but it's an easy catch for Ruddy to collect.
De Bruyne picks up the ball inside the Norwich penalty area from Sagna's pass and plays it towards Bony, but it's an inaccurate cross once again.
City break quickly after a Norwich corner through Sterling, with the ball worked across the box to Toure, but the Ivorian midfielder curls his strike well wide from 25 yards.
Man City try their luck with yet another corner, and once again it's a free header, but Bony can't direct the ball towards goal and the chance goes begging.
Less than half an hour left at the Etihad and the deadlock remains unbroken, with Man City failing to address their problems in attack thus far.
Brady sneaks in front of Sterling and almost makes his way into the box, but Otamendi manages to put a stop to the move and removes the danger.
Fernandinho tries to play a pass forward to Bony but Bassong cuts it out with good anticipation. Man City appear to be running out of ideas in the opposition's final third.
GOAL! MAN CITY 1-0 NORWICH (NICOLAS OTAMENDI)
Famous last words eh? No sooner had I typed "Man City appear to be running out of ideas in the opposition's final third", they go on and score! Fantastic bullet header from Otamendi, who's stood out today even prior to his goal from De Bruyne's corner.
SUBSTITUTION: Youssouf Mulumbu, who has only recently returned from injury, is replaced by Gary O'Neil for the Canaries.
CHANCE! Bony goes close again, but Bassong does well to deflect the striker's header wide of Ruddy's goal after Sagna's teasing cross.
Cracks had been appearing in Norwich's defence, with the opposition getting far too many unmarked headers from set pieces - exactly what led to Otamendi's goal.
SUBSTITUTION: Man City make a substitution, with Kevin De Bruyne taken off in place of Fernando. A defensive substitution, perhaps made with next week's Champions League fixture in mind.
BOOKING: Cameron Jerome goes into the book for Norwich for a crunching late tackle from behind on Otamendi.
Just under 10 minutes to go plus stoppage time now, and Man City are fully in control. Norwich can't get the ball off their opponents at the moment.
Bony and Kolarov link up well to give the striker a chance to fire on goal, but once again a notch on the scoresheet eludes him as Norwich scramble well to deflect his goalbound effort clear.
Howson tries to exchange passes with Tettey but the latter fails to pull off a reverse pass and allows Otamendi to come across and hack away the ball.
GOAL! MAN CITY 1-1 NORWICH (CAMERON JEROME)
A horrendous mistake from Joe Hart as a seemingly harmless Robbie Brady cross is spilled right into the path of Jerome, who does not miss from point-blank range! Man City's grasp on top spot could be slipping away this afternoon!
PENALTY AND SENDING OFF! Late drama here at the Etihad as Russell Martin is shown red for a deliberate handball on the goalline, which also gives Man City the chance to edge back in front from the penalty spot!
GOAL! MAN CITY 2-1 NORWICH (YAYA TOURE, PENALTY)
Pellegrini's men are back in front as Toure smashes the penalty into the bottom-right corner! Ruddy went the right way, but there was too much power on the spot kick.
With so much happening, I feel I have to do a brief round-up of all the non-crucial action that has taken place in the last few minutes. Norwich goalscorer Jerome was replaced by Grabban, Tettey was shown a yellow after a foul just inside the Canaries half, and there are five minutes of added time.
SUBSTITUTION: City are hanging on a little bit here as Norwich push forward looking for an equaliser. Potential match-winner Yaya Toure comes off to be replaced by Martin Demichelis.
CHANCE! Hart redeems himself for his earlier clanger by pulling off an impressive save to keep out Olsson's long-range effort from outside the penalty area.
PENALTY! It's a second spot kick in the space of a few minutes for Man City after Sterling wins a penalty following Brady's foul in the box!
MISS! But unlike Toure's effort, Aleksandar Kolarov's shot from the spot is blasted off target!
FULL TIME: MANCHESTER CITY 2-1 NORWICH CITY
It doesn't matter though because the referee ends the game just after Kolarov's miss, and Man City succeed in claiming all three points against a spirited and plucky Norwich side!
The Citizens had the better of things in the first half but could not convert their dominance into goals until the 67th minute when Nicolas Otamendi thumped a header home from a corner.
In the last 10 minutes, however, things got interesting. Joe Hart made a complete hash of a Robbie Brady delivery to gift Cameron Jerome a simple equaliser in the 84th minute, but moments later the Canaries threw it away when Russell Martin was shown red for a deliberate handball on the goalline which preceded a penalty drilled hard into the bottom corner by Yaya Toure.
Despite Aleksandar Kolarov's missed injury-time penalty, Manuel Pellegrini's charges nevertheless clinch a 2-1 win. Heartbreak for the Canaries but relief for Man City, who remain top of the Premier League on goal difference, while Alex Neil's side now sit two points off the bottom three as Newcastle United held Stoke City to a goalless draw.
That's all we have time for here, but stay with Sports Mole as we bring you match reports and reaction from all the day's big games! Thanks for following and enjoy the rest of your weekend!
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