Norwich Vs. Manchester City, 2012 Premier League: Final Score 6-1 As Carlos Tevez Leads Rout

Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini had claimed earlier this week that his side's trip to Norwich City would be more difficult than the upcoming Manchester derby - the match that looks like it will decide where the title ends up. If that's true, City are surely title favourites, because it was all too easy for the visitors, who ran out 6-1 winners today.

They were the better side from the off, and it came as no surprise at all when Manchester City City took the lead eighteen minutes in with former captain/professional walkabout Carlos Tevez crashing a long-range effort past John Ruddy at his near post. By then the visitors had already had two penalty appeals turned down. Tevez turned provider ten minutes later, backheeling the ball to Sergio Aguero and allowing his compatriot to finish first-time from just outside the box to make it 2-0.

Andrew Surman marked a brief spell of Norwich resurgence after halftime with an impressive long-range goal of his own, but it was a false dawn - the visitors soon reestablished control of the match via two quickfire goals from Tevez and Aguero before the former completed his hattrick by rounding Ruddy and finishing into an empty net. There was room for a sixth goal, scored by Adam Johnson, as Manchester City closed the gap at the top of the table to two points.