Man City suffer blow to title hopes with Norwich stalemate
City dominated possession and territory but still did not have the urgency ierce a
well-organised Canaries' rearguardManchester City's hopes of regaining the Premier Leaguetitle suffered a potentially grievous blow on Saturday, March 12 as they were held to a goalless draw by strugglingNorwich City at Carrow Road.
City dominated possession and territory but still did not have the urgency nor invention to pierce a well-organised Canaries' rearguard.
Sergio Aguero's first half snapshot, well saved by John Ruddy at full stretch was the nearest they came to scoring as they had to settle frustratingly for remaining fourth in the title race, still nine points behind leaders Leicester City.
It was billed as a must-win encounter for Manuel Pellegrini's City, whose title charge had been stalled by winning just twice in the previous six games.
So, afterwards, it was hard to escape the sense of deflation in the City camp as they contemplated how perhaps their last realistic chance of winning the title had disappeared with this flat performance.
It could have been even worse for City though with Norwich coming closest to breaking the stalemate with on-loan Patrick Bamford, making his first start for the club, hammering a brilliant half-volley against the crossbar just before halftime.
The point, though crucial to Norwich's fight against relegation, still leaves them in the bottom three on 25 points, one point ahead of Newcastle United, nine points clear of doomed Aston Villa and the same as 17th-placed Sunderland.
Norwich's next two home games are against Newcastle and Sunderland.
Premier League results:
Norwich City 0 Vs Man. City 0
Stoke City 1 Vs Southampton 2
Bournemouth 3 Vs Swansea City 2
