Norwich City 3-2 Manchester City
Newly promoted Norwich City pulled off the biggest shock of the young Premier League season as they defeated the defending champions Manchester City, 3-2.
The Canaries had lost their last three matches on the bounce and were pegged as significant underdogs against City, according to the Premier League 2019 betting odds. Another comfortable City win was seemingly in the cards.
But to Norwich’s credit, they were courageous enough to play their proactive style against the champions, and they were rewarded as City made some costly errors in defence.
Highlights of the game
Manchester City are known for their fast starts to matches. It took them just two minutes to find a way past Brighton in what turned into a 4-0 win. But they weren’t quite at top gear right away in their first match back from the international break.
Norwich took advantage of that somewhat slow City start as they took a surprise lead in the 18th minute through Kenny McLean. The Norwich midfielder went completely unmarked off a corner and rose high to drill a powerful header past Ederson.
As expected, the goal jolted City into action, and they very nearly came up with an equaliser after just a couple minutes. Raheem Sterling’s effort from the edge of the box didn’t quite have enough curl to it, though.
Sterling then turned provider as he lofted a pinpoint cross toward Sergio Aguero. The Argentine timed his run perfectly, but he was unable to direct his header from point-blank range on target.
Aguero would be left to rue that miss as Norwich immediately went back the other way and scored a second. Teemu Pukki got behind the City backline and squared it to Todd Cantwell, who had the simple task of tapping the ball into an empty net.
City came close to pulling a goal back just over the half-hour mark, but Sterling was unlucky to see his header crash off the post.
They finally got that crucial goal at the stroke of half-time. Aguero made no mistake with his header this time around as he expertly directed Bernardo Silva’s cross into the net.
After the break, though, Norwich turned up their pressing on City’s centre-backs, which proved crucial. Pukki was able to dispossess John Stones to create an opportunity on goal, but his scuffed shot did not trouble Ederson.
However, he would be right on target just seconds later. Emiliano Buendia easily picked the pocket of his Argentine countryman Nicolas Otamendi just outside the City penalty area and set up Pukki, who scored his sixth goal of the campaign.
Once again two goals down, City ramped up the pressure themselves. Sergio Aguero had his well-worked strike blocked. Otamendi then tried to make amends for his mistake with a header from a corner, but Norwich keeper Tim Krul was equal to it.
Aguero had another glorious chance on 77 minutes, but once again, he was unable to keep his header down.
City finally cut the Norwich lead back down to one two minutes from time. Rodri’s shot from outside the box got past Krul’s outstretched arms.
City laid siege on the Norwich goal during stoppage time in search of an equaliser. Sergio Aguero, Gabriel Jesus, and Raheem Sterling all had their chances, but none was quite good enough to salvage a point for the champions.
Key statistics
The final statistics for this match were similar to most City matches: the champions dominated possession (69 per cent) and had a tremendous shot advantage, 25-7. But three of Norwich’s seven shots were on target, and they converted all three of them into goals.
For City, Aguero and Sterling had six shots apiece. But after scoring in both of England’s recent Euro 2020 qualifiers against Bulgaria and Kosovo, Sterling did not have his shooting boots on as just one of his six shots was on target.
And for Norwich, the dynamic duo of Pukki and Buendia continues to produce Premier League 2019 highlights. Pukki is currently third in the goalscoring charts with six goals — one behind Tammy Abraham and Aguero — while Emi Buendia is tied for second with four assists.
What’s next?
City will look to bounce back from their league setback in midweek when they begin their Champions League campaign against Shakthar Donetsk. Don’t forget to check out the SBOBET odds on all the top Champions League matchups.
And on the weekend, they will return home to host Watford. With Liverpool’s lead atop the table now up to five points, City can’t afford to drop more points, even at this early stage of the season.
As for Norwich, they will play three of their next four games away from home beginning with a trip to Burnley next weekend.
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