MY ACCOUNT
Manchester City stretched their lead at the Premier League summit to 12 points, as Raheem Sterling’s perfect hat-trick helped them to a comfortable win over struggling Norwich City.
Pep Guardiola shuffled his pack ahead of the resumption of Champions League football, resting the likes of Kevin De Bruyne, Rodri and Joao Cancelo, but the champions produced an assured performance as their England stars fired them to a ninth win in their past 13 league games against the Canaries.
After Sterling struck a stunning opener, Phil Foden tapped home a second and Sterling doubled his own tally with a close-range header, before the winger tapped home a rebound after missing a late penalty.
Guardiola’s men now have a 12-point lead over second-placed Liverpool, albeit having played two games more than Jurgen Klopp’s men, while Norwich’s mini-revival was halted by their dominant visitors.
City almost took the lead five minutes in, when Bernardo Silva danced through the home backline before hitting the post, before Grant Hanley headed against the woodwork at the opposite end during a frantic start to the contest.
Angus Gunn produced a strong save to deny Sterling on 25 minutes, but the England man was not to be denied five minutes later, as he beautifully curled home his first goal of 2022 from the edge of the area.
Norwich were reduced to chasing the ball for the remainder of the first half, with Ikay Gundogan spurning a good opportunity as the champions monopolised possession and avoided conceding in the opening half for the 22nd time in their 25 league games this term.
City needed fewer than three minutes to strike after the break, as Foden tapped across the line at the second attempt after a bizarre goalmouth scramble.
The visitors further extended their lead when the fantastic Sterling nodded Ruben Dias’ cross home, recording his ninth league goal of the season on 70 minutes.
City’s man of the match crowned his terrific performance by tapping home for a hat-trick after Gunn spilled his late penalty, awarded for Hanley’s foul on young substitute Liam Delap.
What does it mean? Away form carrying City towards title
Guardiola’s quest to bring a fourth title in six years to the Etihad Stadium remains firmly on course, with the help of a fantastic away record.
After losing at Tottenham on the opening day of the season, City are now unbeaten in their past 12 on the road, winning on 10 of those trips.
Sterling torments Canaries again
Norwich’s supporters must be sick of the sight of Sterling, whose treble took his tally to 10 goal involvements in his past eight Premier League matches against the Canaries (eight goals, two assists).
Sterling has now netted 10 Premier League goals this season, more than any other City player.
Foden remains an eager traveller
Foden’s scrappy finish gave his side a deserved two-goal cushion within moments of the restart and maintained his great goalscoring record in away matches. Only Mohamed Salah, with 10, can beat Foden’s tally of five away Premier League goals this season, while no Englishman has scored more on their travels in the Premier League this term.
Meanwhile, Harry Kane (68) is the only English player to rack up more goal involvements than Foden since the start of last season, with the City man recording 40 in all competitions (24 goals, 16 assists).
What’s next?
City now face an important week in their quest for silverware: they will follow up Tuesday’s Champions League trip to Sporting CP by hosting Tottenham in a weeks’ time. Earlier that day, Norwich face another tough assignment when they travel to Anfield to face Liverpool.
