Norwich 0-3 Manchester City: Sergio Aguero, Kelechi Iheanacho and Kevin De Bruyne on target as visitors cruise into fourth round
Even by Sergio Aguero’s standards this was special. When he picked up Raheem Sterling’s neat flick around 40 yards out; Norwich looked to have everything under control.
Seconds later they were on their way out of the FA Cup; the Manchester City striker slotting nonchalantly past John Ruddy after a mesmerising run through the heart of the Canaries’ defence.
His team-mates rushed over to congratulate the Argentina star for his latest slice of genius; the supporters that adore him chanted: ‘Sergio, Sergio’. Even Norwich fans, having just watched their side fall behind, had to applaud. This was Aguero at his very best.
Not that it would have been any consolation to Norwich’s players, who would have been scratching their heads at how they lost this match by such a margin. Indeed, Alex Neil’s men made a confident start to the opening 45 minutes.
But this was a lesson in ruthlessness from Manuel Pellegrini’s side; Aguero applying the clinical touches.
Graham Dorrans wasted a free kick from a dangerous position inside two minutes, before Jonny Howson fired wide from distance with time and space to take aim.
It was a sleepy start from the two-time Premier League champions; Pellegrini knew it too as he paced uncomfortably in his technical area. It wasn’t long, though, before the Chilean’s frown was turned upside down as his side put their foot down on the accelerator.
Kelechi Iheanacho and Aleksandar Kolarov, captaining the team in place of Yaya Toure, forced John Ruddy into excellent saves as City awoke from their early slumber. And then came the moment, in the 16th minute, this match will be remembered for.
Home supporters just below the press box looked at each other and shrugged their shoulders. No gripes, no complaints; just an acknowledgment that this was Aguero at his breathtaking best.
Neil in the home dug-out would have had a similar feeling. He’ll make his team watch the goal back on Monday morning, pointing out where they went wrong. Sebastian Bassong could have got tighter, Russell Martin could have timed his attempted last-ditch tackle slightly better.
Perhaps, that would have made a difference. But, sometimes, you just have to hold your hands up. This was one of those occasions. Dazzling control and clinical finishing – Aguero in an nutshell.
Norwich, though, didn’t seem too dispirited; as they looked for a leveller. Martin Olsson looked menacing down the left; while Cameron Jerome’s strong running caused City’s defence some moments of alarm.
Had Willy Caballero not been equal to another long-range Howson effort in the 25th minute then Norwich would have found a route back into the encounter. But six minutes they were two-down, and Aguero was once again at the centre of it.
The Argentine, who had just seen an angled snap-shot saved by Ruddy, expertly controlled Fabian Delph’s pinpoint long-ball before starting his route to the heart of Norwich’s defence.
Martin gave the striker far too much time, and Aguero punished Norwich by playing in Iheanacho, who fired a first time strike past Ruddy.
Pellegrini insists one of the reasons behind his decision not to sign another striker in the summer, despite the departure of Edin Dzeko, was the development of the 19-year-old Nigerian. This was Iheanacho’s fifth of the season; it seems Pellegrini had a point. DM.