Manchester City remain seven points behind Manchester United at the top of the Premier League table despite securing a 4-3 win over Norwich City on Saturday.
Edin Dzeko handed them a 2-0 lead inside four minutes, but Anthony Pilkington had one back for Norwich after 15 minutes.
There was to be late controversy in the opening period, with Samir Nasri receiving a red card for an alleged headbutt on Sebastien Bassong.
City regained their two-goal lead early in the second period, however, when Sergio Aguero chipped over the onrushing Mark Bunn.
Norwich were back in the match once more just past the hour mark when Russell Martin headed home from close range, but a blunder from Bunn saw City's two-goal lead regained moments later.
The home side were not finished there, however, as Martin added his second 15 minutes from time, but Manchester City held on for three vital points.
Here, Sports Mole dissects the 90 minutes of action between the two sides.
Match statistics:
Norwich:
Shots 7
On target 4
Possession 46%
Corners 4
Fouls 10
Manchester City:
Shots 10
On target 7
Possession 54%
Corners 9
Fouls 11
Was the result fair?
It would be difficult to argue that Manchester City did not deserve to take all three points from this match. Norwich scored with their only effort on goal in the first period as the away side completely dominated events. The sending-off of Nasri threatened to turn the tide, but City were equally as impressive with 10 men. A late flurry from the home side threatened to upset Manchester City, but it wasn't to be.
Norwich's performance
5/10. Norwich would have been keen to end their recent slump at home this afternoon, but in truth they were as poor as they have been all season inside the opening period. Without the power of Grant Holt they did not have a target in the final third. Meanwhile, Wes Hoolahan struggled to influence proceedings from a deeper position. They undoubtedly improved in the latter stages, but poor defending cost them.
Manchester City's performance
7/10. City made the perfect start after taking a two-goal lead inside four minutes and from that moment you never really thought that they would take anything other than three points from Carrow Road. Norwich were handed a lifeline when Roberto Mancini's side were reduced to 10 men, but they scored at vital moments.
Sports Mole's man of the match
Edin Dzeko: The Bosnian may not have featured too much in the second period. However, his two early goals were the building point for the three points. It appeared that he had scored his hat-trick in the latter stages, but the strike was awarded as an own goal by Bunn.
Biggest gaffe of the match
Bassong's challenge on Nasri was certainly not pretty. However, the reaction of the French midfielder led to his sending-off. Ultimately it did not cost his side the three points, but it could have proved to be a decisive moment in the this season's title race.
Referee performance
Mike Jones had a fairly productive 90 minutes of action this afternoon. He relied on his assistant to aid him with the Nasri sending-off and ultimately made the correct decision. He also allowed the match to flow in the correct areas, but was prepared to halt play where he deemed necessary.
What next?
Norwich: The Canaries will attempt to return to winning ways when they face West Ham United on January 1 before travelling to Peterborough United in the FA Cup on January 5.
Manchester City: City will attempt to keep pace with Manchester United when they welcome Stoke City in the Premier League on January 1 before hosting Watford in the FA Cup on January 5.
Matt Law
