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MATCH REPORT: Tough afternoon at the Etihad as Pep’s men cruise to an easy win

MATCH REPORT: Tough afternoon at the Etihad as Pep’s men cruise to an easy win

22nd August 2021 By Samuel Seaman 3 Comments

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Norwich City were comfortably beaten by Manchester City, the English champions thrashing the Canaries 5-0 on a miserable afternoon for Daniel Farke’s side.

Jack Grealish, Aymeric Laporte, Rajeev Sterling and Riyad Mahrez found the net for the Citizens, adding to Tim Krul’s early on goal to comfortably see off their visitors.

On a day when they failed to register a single shot on target very little went right for Norwich. That all started in the 6th minute when Gabriel Jesus’ low cross was smashed by Grant Hanley directly into his goalkeeper, Krul helpless as the ball ricocheted off him and into his net. 

Jesus then thought he had a second assist when he played Ferran Torres through on goal to slot home, but a clip of Milot Rashica’s ankles in the build-up meant that Graham Scott reversed his decision through VAR, keeping the score at 1-0.

The home side didn’t have to wait long to double their lead, however. Four minutes later Jesus fired another cross into the Norwich six-yard box and found Grealish, who couldn’t miss despite his best attempts.

The Canaries wrested some element of control back following this, enjoying controlled possession and finding Max Aarons and Dimitris Giannoulis in space. Both attempted to create via crosses but neither truly threatened.

With the score only 2-0 at the break despite the clear gulf in quality, Norwich and Manchester City legend Darren Huckerby urged the Canaries to avoid embarrassment, and Farke’s conservative half-time substitutions aided that cause temporarily.

Kenny McLean was introduced in place of a poor Lukas Rupp and Bali Mumba came on for Giannoulis, impressing yet again as he largely nullified Mahrez’ threat and covered excellently when balls came in from the right-hand side.

His endeavour couldn’t carry Norwich for much longer, however, and soon it was three. The Canaries’ propensity to defend set-pieces poorly once again reared its head and allowed Laporte to bundle home beyond Krul.

The game was lost and legs were tired but the two goals conceded thereafter were inexcusable. 

In the 70th minute, one pass against a set Norwich defence sent Jesus through once again before he squared for Sterling, on as a substitute for the excellent Torres, who tapped in.

Mahrez couldn’t believe his luck when he added his name to the scoresheet with five minutes left. The Algerian was in acres as he received Ruben Dias’ pass, his controlled effort kissing the far post as it rolled across the line.

Rashica had just produced City’s first shot of the game but planted comfortably over the bar. 

After such abject disappointment Norwich’s first realistic opportunity to earn points, welcoming Leicester City next Saturday, feels big already. Farke’s side will have to produce a lot more than they have so far.

Player Ratings

Krul 4; Aarons 5, Hanley 6, Gibson 6, Giannoulis 6; Gilmour 6, Lees-Melou 5, Rupp 4; Rashica 6, Pukki 5, Cantwell 6.

Subs: Mumba 6, McLean 6, Sargent 5


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Filed Under: Column, Samuel Seaman

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Comments

  1. Tonyb says

    22nd August 2021 at 8:40 am

    Will Man city get an easier game all season?I doubt it.Whats concerning is that we didnt even put up a fight,stick a boot in and not even a yellow card in sight!Look at last weeks game,as soon as we started to attack with pace our players were fouled to halt the attack,same thing happened yesterday,albeit once or twice.Thats the trouble with little old norwich,we’re not streetwise,tough enough or angry enough.What Webber should have bought is a couple of hardmen to play in the centre of the park,one at CB the other DM,to break up play and win the ball,we are not going to do that with tiny Gilmour,beanpole Melou or a weak Rupp..Dissapointed that Farke and Webber have brought these type of players in as you would have thought lessons were learnt from the last time In the epl.As for the new attacking players,,,yes they look ok but wouldnt it have been better to buy at least one with epl experience?

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  2. Chris says

    22nd August 2021 at 9:59 am

    A decent summary. A tad generous with the ratings I feel.

    There are ways to lose a football match, this isn’t one of them. The lack of effort, the flawed set up. Simply fulfilling a fixture. The severity of the defeat was surprisingly light, given the abject display.

    Despite Manchesters almost exclusive possession, the non contact pact with guardiola meant that tackling was effectively outlawed. Fouls? Were too nice for that! Bizarrely, I believe we were actually beaten in that metric too.

    As the midfield stocks were drained following promotion, why the hell wasn’t the biggest hole in the squad addressed? A midfielder who can put his foot in! This week! FFS.

    It is unrealistic to expect a positive result against the likes of Manchester City. It osnt unrealistic to expect a degree of professionalism and some pride and to avoid complete embarrassment. Shake yourselves up.

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  3. Tim Sell says

    22nd August 2021 at 6:29 pm

    Let us put the Liverpool & Man City losses to one side a moment and look at two other sides. Newcastle – lost 2, no points, second from bottom, dangerous going forward, dodgy defence whom comfortably brushed Norwich aside 3 – 0 in a friendly. I watched Burnley ( perennial relegation fighters ) against Liverpool, lost 2, no points, third from bottom. A strong, robust side not without a bit of quality who will easily knock pretty Norwich off their perch, no problem. With the current squad I can’t honestly see where any points are coming from. Unless we sign some steely players before the window shuts we will be cut adrift before Christmas and finish with fewer points than two seasons ago. Do the players really believe we can compete in the premier league….No…………Do I………No. I hope someone has a trick up their sleeve or else this season could be really embarrassing 🙁

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