For the second time this week, Premier League leaders Manchester City were 2-0 up against over-matched opponents, stretching their advantage at the summit and into suffocation mode.
Phil Foden had doubled the advantage for Pep Guardiola’s men early in the second half, meaning Norwich City’s task was as futile as Brentford’s three days earlier and would end in a heavier 4-0 reverse.
That win at the Etihad Stadium brought the now customary moans that City’s dominance is boring or sterile, but a pulsating first half-hour at Carrow Road in the tea-time kick-off was anything but.
When Canaries boss Dean Smith mentioned trying to control the game without controlling the ball before kick-off, it was easy to fear another of the bus-parking exercises that increasingly clog up City’s schedule.
During the first half, the hosts were restricted to 27 per cent of possession - the sort of meagre diet many of City’s opponents are forced to subsist upon, but it still matters what you do with it.
Norwich made nearly all of their time with the ball count. Nathan Ake - one of five changes from the Brentford game - sliced a first-minute clearance into the stands and it set the tone for Norwich trying to unsettle their illustrious foes at every possible opportunity.
Ruben Dias was targeted by some direct balls and deservedly entered the book after Milot Rashica nimbly negotiated the space where a defensive midfield block should have been.
Guardiola’s side were ragged at times early on, lacking the steadying influence of Rodri, Joao Cancelo, Aymeric Laporte and John Stones - all rested in - in their build-up.
Fernandinho had to hack clear after Grant Hanley headed against the base of the post and Teemu Pukki fleetingly threatened to be the hero he was when Norwich stunned the champions on this ground in 2019.
Chances flowed at the other end, Bernardo Silva had also tested the upright, although Raheem Sterling’s eye-catching 31st-minute finish did not feel inevitable in the way many City breakthroughs do.
At that point, it was a game in the balance and, after Kyle Walker scampered down the right flank and Max Aarons erred, the celebrations of the City contingent charging towards the away supporters suggested they felt it was a big goal.
Foden’s tenacious drag back then brought a touch of artistry to a goalmouth scramble and Sterling’s second meant Guardiola could loosen up and unleash youth team trio James McAtee, Liam Delap and Kayky as his substitutes.
When Hanley made like a man running to the bus stop and clattered into Delap, Sterling had the chance to complete his hat-trick from the penalty spot and did so on the rebound.
Understandably, some will question why Norwich bothered. Why have a go at City when this is what happens? But Brentford restricted themselves to a disciplined defensive shell on Wednesday and also had nothing to show for their efforts.
There is no set formula for beating the best team in the country and all approaches to facing City are absolutely valid. But Norwich certainly gave themselves every chance before half-time and Smith and his players should be commended.
Guardiola likes to control every possible aspect of his team’s fortunes, but he only has so much of a say over entertainment value. It takes two to tango and, for half an hour at least, Sterling and his team-mates found some very willing dance partners.
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