NORWICH CITY 0, MANCHESTER CITY 3 (FA Cup 3rd Round)
Early goals by Sergio Aguero and Kelechi Iheanacho ensured a routine FA Cup win for Manchester City away at Norwich City.
City manager Manuel Pellegrini opted to rotate his City team after the midweek defeat at Everton and chose to surround Aguero with pace – adding Kelechi Iheanacho, Raheem Sterling, and Jesus Navas to the City front four.
Aleksandar Kolarov, Fernando, Martin Demichelis, and Pablo Zabaleta completed the incoming changes for City who proved too powerful for the Canaries to handle.
Willy Cabellero, who retained his place from the Everton defeat, has been promised a part to play in City’s domestic cup competitions this season and City will go far if they can replicate the aggressive tempo they displayed at Carrow Road today.
Aguero has had an injury-hit season followed by slow returns to form afterwards but he was back to his best when he raced past Sebastian Bassong and Russell Martin to put City on their way in the 16th minute with his 11th goal of the season after Sterling’s backheel set him on his way.
The Argentine turned provider in the 31st minute when he drew the home defence and then laid the ball off for Nigerian teenager Iheanacho to double City’s lead with a sidefooted finish for his fifth goal of the season on only his third start for City.
Jesus Navas hit the bar in the second half as City looked to put the game beyond Norwich.
But victory was finally assured late on when substitute Kevin De Bruyne finished off the Canaries with a low shot after a mazy run after 78 minutes to claim his 10th City goal after Navas had set him on his way.
There was also time to hand another promising City youngster a debut, with Kosovan Norway U21 midfielder Bersant Celina replacing Iheanacho.