Man City 2-3 Norwich: Howson strike edges five-goal thriller

Posted Monday, May 20, 2013 by Goal.com

The Canaries finish in 11th place after a close victory over last season's champions, with the managerless hosts unable to cope with the away side's superb attacking play

Norwich concluded their Premier League campaign in fine form with a pulsating 3-2 victory away to second-placed Manchester City.

The Canaries took the lead through Anthony Pilkington, although they weren’t ahead for long as Jack Rodwell equalised three minutes later for the hosts.

Norwich went ahead again thanks to Grant Holt, and despite another Rodwell equaliser, the Canaries were not to be denied as Jonny Howson hit a superb winner.

Manchester City made five changes for this game, with Edin Dzeko leading the line up front as Sergio Aguero was only fit enough for the bench.

Meanwhile, Norwich replaced Sebastian Bassong with Steven Whittaker in what was the only change from their 4-0 victory over West Brom.

Both sides started brightly in the opening exchanges, with Grant Holt proving to be a challenge for the home defenders, turning and shooting wide after showing good strength.

However, the hosts also started well, as Dzeko had a header well held by John Ruddy after a superb cross from Samir Nasri.

Norwich created the best chance of the half midway through, as after a good corner from Snodgrass, Ryan Bennett saw a header cleared off the line by Joleon Lescott.

The Canaries took the lead minutes later, as after some shambolic defending by the home side, Pilkington was on hand to sweep home a pass from Wes Hoolahan.

Manchester City were behind for just three minutes, however, as Dzeko laid off a Nasri pass into the path of Rodwell, who slotted the ball home well.

The hosts exerted a good deal of pressure on Norwich’s goal, but despite the efforts of the workmanlike Carlos Tevez, they could not add another and went in level at half-time.

The away side began the second half well, as Bradley Johnson saw a header saved well by Hart after he was left open by the Manchester City defenders at a free kick.

After Tevez was replaced to a standing ovation early in the second period, the Canaries continued to exert some pressure and had an appeal for a penalty turned down.

This pressure eventually told for the visitors, as Snodgrass played a delightful square ball into the area and Holt was on hand at the back post to finish with aplomb.

Once again, the hosts found an equaliser within minutes, as Rodwell accelerated away from Whittaker from inside his own half and finished low past Ruddy.

The Canaries bounced back again minutes later, as Howson rampaged forward from his own half, and finished calmly under no pressure whatsoever to give his side the lead again.

After their latest setback, the home side began to enjoy the majority of possession, although they struggled to break down a resolute Norwich defence.

It took them until the 79th minute to create another genuine chance, as James Milner played a low cross that Dzeko turned just wide at the near post.

However, they could not find another equaliser, with Norwich taking a 3-2 win to finish the season in 11th place.