Norwich 3-2 Manchester City: Three stars
Little old Norwich played the champions of England and not even the most positive of Norwich fans would ever have predicted the outcome.
Kenny McLean, who was in for the injured Leitner, opened the scoring with a powerful header from a Buendia corner. The stadium erupted like City had just scored a late winner and it got even better just ten minutes later through academy product Cantwell.
Steipermann played a through ball to Pukki who selflessly played the ball across to the twenty-one-year-old attacking-minded midfielder and he had an open goal to score in. The newly-promoted team were in dreamland and were defending resolutely until the 44th minute when Argentinian Sergio Aguero headed in. City were still leading at half time though and just five minutes after the break, they added a third through, who else but, Pukki to restore their two-goal cushion.
Late on, after pretty much a whole half of pressure Man City got their second through £65m man Rodri. This wasn’t enough for the sky blues though and the Canaries held on for a nervous ending.
Onto the three players who impressed, and any of the players could be picked. Pukki, Cantwell, Lewis, Godrey and especially McLean all could have been picked.
Sam Byram
In for the injured Max Aarons and on that performance, Max will find it hard to get back in the team. Kept Sterling quite most of the game which is no mean feat. He did let the England international free early on but Sterling could only hit the post with his header after Bernardo Silva headed the ball across goal to him from a David Silva cross. Late on he started to create more as the Citizens looked for a goal and Byram was on a yellow so had to be careful, but Sterling never got a clear opportunity. On the rare opportunity he had to get forward he didn’t do much wrong and hardly did a bad pass all game.
Ibrahim Amadou
Another one only in the team because of the lack of fit defenders. The predominantly defensive midfielder played centre back and despite not his strongest position looked at home in the heart of defence. Solid in the air heading away numerous times from Manchester City’s many corners and crosses. Always willing to put his body on the line to block a shot and a very tough tackler. Gave the City fans some confidence in the defence which hasn’t exactly been in abundance this season.
Emi Buendia
A regular starter this season but hadn’t before yesterday hit the heights of last season. Did his job to perfection, keeping hold off the ball when needed and got the Canaries up the pitch efficiently. Took the corner that led to McLean’s bullet header and robbed Otamendi of the ball on the edge of the box before squaring to Pukki, who, after a few touches to get it out his feet poked it home. The two assists brought his tally up to four for the season and City fans will be hoping that there is more to come from the Argentinian.
They were the three who impressed me the most in the Canaries win that will surely go down in Carrow Road history.