With the game not being shown anywhere, not even dodgy online streaming sites, my usual player ratings wouldn’t have been wholly accurate. However, after having listened to the game on the radio – like most others, highlights of the goals were released. So why not pour over them? Aguero, Kelechi and De Bruyne were the goal-scoring trio and this win for City means they will be in the hat for the fourth round draw of the FA Cup.
Here are all three in a BBC highlights mini-round up. The next three slides will look at each goal individually and what they meant for City.
With the Blues campaign in each competition having faltered at around this time last year, the Argentine’s return to the score-sheet has been timely for Manuel Pellegrini’s side. This goal was trademark Kun – on 16 minutes, after a deft flick by Raheem Sterling, City’s number 10 picked up the ball on the edge of the Norwich area. He proceeded to surge past Sebastian Bassong, and into the Norwich area, before evading a last ditch Russell Martin challenge and poking the ball home. City fans will be pleased to see Aguero back in form and scoring as a busy January schedule looms.
Sergio Aguero turned provider for City’s second and Kelechi’s 5th goal of the season, as the Nigerian took his chance once again to impress his boss Pellegrini. Fabian Delph’s long ball towards goal picked out Aguero, who drove at the Norwich defence, before looking up and picking out the 19-year-old who slotted home, side-footed past Ruddy in the Canaries goal. Exciting times are ahead for the striker who has averaged a goal every 70 minutes this season, Pellegrini pledged post-match that the youngster would definitely get more minutes in games to come.
If there is any qualm amongst City fans when it comes to Kevin De Bruyne, and trust me there aren’t many, it’s his away form. His home form has been nothing short of astonishing, yet fans want that equalled when away from the Etihad. Prior to this game, the Belgian hadn’t scored a goal away from home since he opened the scoring in City’s clash at White Hart Lane in late September. However, his chance creation away from home has been high (25) and this goal will only help further his confidence when not playing domestically.