Yaya Toure slotted a penalty in the final minute of regulation time to hand Manchester City a 2-1 win over Norwich at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday.
It took City until the 67th minute to unlock the Canaries' defence, with defender Nicolas Otamendi heading the home side in front.
A howler from Joe Hart with just six minutes remaining handed Norwich a lifeline, with Cameron Jerome capitalising on the error to draw Norwich level.
However, City snatched all three points after Toure calmly converted his spot-kick following Russell Martin's handball in the box.
MATCH OVERVIEW
Manchester City: 2
Norwich City: 1
Etihad Stadium, Manchester – 53,418
TALKING POINTS
Without the creative influence of Sergio Aguero and David Silva, City looked sluggish and struggled to create clear-cut goal-scoring opportunities against a stubborn and well-organised Norwich defence.
Norwich will take heart from pushing the Premier League leaders right until the end of the contest, but will feel like they've dropped a point after getting back on level terms inside the final 10 minutes.
WHAT'S NEXT?
City travel to Spain to face Sevilla in the Champions League on Tuesday, before another road trip to Aston Villa on Sunday.
Norwich host Swansea City at Carrow Road on Saturday.
TWITTER INSIGHT
Happy for the goal but happier by the victory of the team that is leaving us at the top of the table let's go #mcfcpic.twitter.com/diXIP7Roir
— Nicolas Otamendi (@Notamendi30) October 31, 2015We fight until the end for every point! Great to get the winner for the team, the manager & our fans! #ComeOnCity!! pic.twitter.com/JFedoec18G
— Yaya Touré (@YayaToure) October 31, 2015I wish to dedicate this win to Chris Shaw, one of our most loyal fans. He'll be missed but remembered by all Citizens. #RIPChrisShaw#MCFC
— Vincent Kompany (@VincentKompany) October 31, 2015QUOTES CORNER
City boss Manuel Pellegrini evaluates the match:
"It was an extraordinary game. Norwich defended very well. The games before Champions League games are always difficult. But we have the character, the personality and the trust to win the game - we are not finished until the last minute."
Norwich manager Alex Neil was left frustrated by the late loss:
"I thought we limited Man City to very little, but if you're going to lose a goal away to the top teams, you want it to be from a bit of quality, so to lose one to a set-piece is disappointing.
"Then we made mistakes at the back for the second goal and it cost us the game. If people do their jobs properly and do the basics right, the rest of our game has been good."
STATS SPECIALS
9 - Yaya Toure has scored all nine penalties he's taken in the Premier League. Converted.
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) October 31, 2015