Manchester City 1 Norwich City 1: A frustrated Manchester City should have secured victory in the first half last night but having wasted numerous chances they saw their lead wiped away within seconds of the restart. It turned into another unconvincing display, enough to confuse even the watching Alex Ferguson.
The Manchester United manager was doubtless hoping to get a few pointers ahead of Sunday's Manchester derby at Old Trafford. A truer reflection of City's capabilities might have been acquired had they faced less flimsy opponents - they traditionally play better against the top sides - but Ferguson will reflect on a worthwhile visit, if only to scrutinise Keegan's deployment of Shaun Wright-Phillips alongside Nicolas Anelka in attack.
Nigel Worthington's team had been the brighter side throughout the opening exchanges but the goal with which the home side took the lead came wrapped in a pink ribbon.
Typically Wright-Phillips was involved, the rising England star collected Antoine Sibierski's deflected pass on the left and had the presence of mind to pick out Willo Flood on the opposite side of the penalty area.
Flood, a 19-year-old Dubliner, struck his volley well enough but it appeared to be a relatively comfortable save for the Norwich goalkeeper Robert Green until the ball bounced straight through his arms.
There were signs that Norwich sensed vulnerability in their opponents' defence and the complexion of the game changed within seconds of the restart.
Straight from the kick-off the ball was worked back to Jim Brennan whose long punt was headed on by Leon McKenzie. Matt Svensson's robust presence was enough to make Richard Dunne scuff his attempted clearance and, showing a calmness that had deserted him earlier, Damien Francis swept the loose ball confidently past David James.
As is the way here, a sense of foreboding swiftly began to infiltrate the home stands. Flood nearly soothed the nerves with a drive against the post but there were times when Norwich exuded the greater levels of confidence.
As the game progressed it started to feel slightly surreal that Chelsea's only defeat this season had been inflicted here, and even more so that Steve McManaman is the most decorated English footballer in the Premiership.
Norwich might have profited had Darren Huckerby more effective, but Danny Mills kept a close rein on his opponent.
MANCHESTER CITY: James, Mills, Distin, Dunne (Onuoha 68), Jordan, Flood, Sibierski, Bosvelt, McManaman (Fowler 81), Shaun Wright-Phillips, Anelka. Subs Not Used: Waterreus, Bradley Wright-Phillips, McCarthy. Booked: Sibierski. Goals: Flood 11.
NORWICH: Green, Edworthy, Fleming, Charlton, Brennan, Holt, Jonson (Henderson 81), Francis, Huckerby, McKenzie (McVeigh 87), Svensson. Subs Not Used: Mulryne, Ward, Helveg. Goals: Francis 46.
Referee: S Bennett (Kent).
