Manchester City have again flexed their muscle by producing a 6-1 victory over Norwich City to send a warning to title rivals Manchester United.
A Carlos Tevez-led City are now just two points behind their neighbours, who face Aston Villa at Old Trafford tomorrow, but the manner in which they have fought back from criticism must have the Red Devils slightly worried.
Roberto Mancini's men hammered West Bromwich Albion 4-0 on Wednesday and maintained that dominant form by beating the Canaries defence on six occasions, with four of those in the second half.
Hat-trick hero Tevez opened the scoring with a brilliant finish from an angle into the top corner to kick things off for City before he turned provider for Sergio Aguero with a clever backheel into the path of his fellow Argentine who fired home from 20 yards in the 27th minute.
Norwich managed to give themselves some hope when Andrew Surman pounced on Joe Hart's poor punch in the 51st minute to lash home with a half-volley but it was all academic after that as Tevez made it 3-1 in the 73rd minute when he headed home after Ruddy had saved Yaya Toure's initial shot.
Two minutes later, City grabbed another when Aguero received the ball from Toure down the left before curling home into the far corner for his 21st of the Premier League season prior to Tevez completing his treble with ten minutes remaining when he nipped in to take control of Ryan Bennett's poor backpass to round Ruddy, making it 5-1.
And City were not finished there as substitute Adam Johnson got in on the act by turning home Gael Clichy's cross in injury time to force the club back into title contention as they await United's result against Villa tomorrow afternoon.
TRIBAL ASKS: Should United be worried about City's present form or do they just have to worry about themselves?
Norwich City: 1 (Andrew Surman 51') Manchester City: 6 (Carlos Tevez 18'/73'/80', Sergio Aguero 27'/75', Adam Johnson 90+3')
Carrow Road, Norwich - 26,812
Yellow cards:NOR - Ryan Bennett 59' MANC - Carlos Tevez 90', Samir Nasri 43'
