A tale of two cities

Norwich City 0 - 0 Manchester City

A point gained in both camps, this match tested the defensive strengths of one City and the attacking depth of the other. Manchester City were without star striker Sergio Aguero and in front of goal it showed as they provided only one clear cut chance in the whole ninety, when Alvaro Negredo headed onto the bar. 

Norwich however, provided a defensive performance which was pulled straight from the top-drawer. A performance you may not come to expect from a team with a -18 goal difference.

From the outset, Norwich had two defining characteristics, solid defending and terrible passing. The team remained compact throughout and forced Manchester City out wide and dealt with all crosses that were fired at them. New centre back pairing, Bassong and Yobo were phenomenal, maintaining order amongst the back line and Yobo, displaying a calming influence on Bassong who did not so often attempt his usual blasé approach to defending.  

What Norwich lacked in composure on the ball, they more than made up for in resolute defending, structure and shape. Manchester City never really looked like playing the killer ball and credit has to be given to Hughton for getting the tactics spot on. 

A small gripe however, Norwich were unable to keep possession and continually gave it away putting themselves under pressure. A few times Norwich won the ball in progressive areas and hesitated, leading to a squandered opportunity. This really has been a story of our season and something that needs to be addressed in the summer if not immediately. The difference between winning and losing in the premier league is sometimes that instinct to look forward and spot a killer through ball, or to win the ball up high and counter your opposition. Paul Merson, one of the panel from "Soccer Saturday" dubbed Norwich as a "nice team" and someone who he, were he a manager would "love to play". Norwich as a team needs to get in the oppositions faces, prove that we're not a nice, laid back team and we are a team to play and achieve in the top division.

In the final five minutes of the match, Norwich were oh so close to scoring a winner, it may have been against the run of play, but to keep the best team in England at bay for 90 minutes some would argue wouldn't be undeserved. Had van Wolfswinkel got his foot on the end of Redmonds cross, or Pilkington had kept his shot an inch lower we may have been celebrating our greatest win this season, but we put a point on the board, proved to Manchester City that we won't pamper their ego's, nor their goal difference, and we proved to the teams around us that we want to stay in this division. That, I believe are huge positives to take out of the game and on to tuesday against West Ham.