Manchester City eked out a slender 2-1 victory over a resolute Norwich City side to remain atop the Premier League standings. The Skyblues struggled to take advantage of their home comforts, and would only find the breakthrough in the 67th minute through defender Nicolas Otamendi.

A silly blunder from Joe Hart allowed the Canaries to equalise, but Yaya Toure restored the hosts’ advantage from the spot-kick. City won another penalty deep in the extra-time, but Kolarov, the surprise taker of that penalty, blasted it way off target.

The miss mattered little as City surged to a win and warmed up their cockles ahead of the daunting Champions League trip to Seville.

Here are some of the points noted from the game

1.Hart goes from villain to hero

Manchester City shotstopper Joe Hart has been one of the best in the Premier league circuit over the years and has proved his mettle even on the international stages with the Three Lions. However, his clanger today was shocking and the one that nearly cost his side a win.

Robbie Brady’s sublime cross caused Hart to be at full stretch to catch it, but instead of parrying it away, dropped the ball down into the path of lurking Cameron Jerome for a simple tap-in.

His mistake appeared to have cost City a vital two points until Toure’s penalty soothened the frayed nerves, but stood up to his glittering credentials when he pulled of a supreme, relfex save in the added time to deny Norwich the points.

Withing a space of few minutes, Hart goes from the pantomime to the saviour.

2.Iheanacho not a finished article yet

Nigerian teen Kelechi Iheanacho has impressed from the bench for City. So after a string of cameo appearances, Manuel Pellegrini opted to start the 19-year for the first time since his move to the blue half of Manchester and the youngster flattered to deceive.

Having started the game sprightly with some assured touches, Iheanacho lost steam with each passing minute and struggled to gain a foothold in the game. The Nigerian cut a frustrating figure, and by the end of first half, was left gasping for life.

Pellegrini put him out of his misery by subbing him off in favour of Raheem Sterling after just nine minutes into the second half, seemingly gotten disappointed with his showings.

Iheanacho remains a great prospect, but is still an unfinished article.

3.Jury still out on Bony

In the absence of Sergio Aguero, the goal-scoring mantle has fallen to the shoulders of Wilfried Bony, who has been erratic to say the least. Having struck twice in the 5-1 thumping of Bournemouth and triggered the onslaught in another 5-1 hammering of Crystal Palace in the league cup this Wednesday, Bony appeared to be on a fine run of form, only to come a cropper again.

The Ivory Coast striker was rather pedestrian and only tested the Canaries’ netminder John Ruddy just once in the opening half of the game. Moreover, he spurned two gilt-edged chances to get on the scoresheet when he failed to hit the nail on the head with two good chances, summing up his difficulties in front of goal this evening.

The former Swansea City hitman is yet to really shine for Manchester City, and the jury is still very much out on the African.

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