Man City v Norwich May 2013

Not the best end to the season as we were well beaten by Norwich City who we normally slaughter! The surprise defeat at the Cup Final and the departure of Roberto Mancini did not help to raise the occasion. What a difference from last season. The form of the players this season has dropped considerably and fingers have been pointed in many directions. Lacking the central dominance of Kompany and Nastasic the defence were well below their best and with Yaya Toure continuing his recent poor form thank goodness we had won at Reading to clinch second place.
The only good thing to remember from the game was the form of Jack Rodwell who scored both City goals. If he keeps this up he will be difficult to keep out of the team next season. Why then was he substituted so early on?. I believe it was a last look at some of our players. I am sure there will be a major clear out during the summer and I will try to keep up up with events on my season page . It looked as though Tevez gave his farewells to the fans as he went off and I think Dzeko will be on his way too. At the end of the game a third of the home supporters had already departed so 'the parade' was a bit of an anti-climax. We can only look forward to next season with a new manager and I think three of four new players to claim back the League Championship and a chance to do better in the Champions League.

Quite a few changes with several first teamers rested.

Norwich brought good support

Mark Halsey has some problems even before kick-off

Norwich safe from relegation have a meeting before the game

Temporary manager Brian Kidd looks very pensive

on 6 minutes a header from Dzeko at a corner goes over the bar

Norwich start to dominate and City have problems clearing corners

Dzeko fails to make good contact

On 25 minutes the City defence fail to clear......

... and Pilkington breaks clear and beats Hart to give the visitors the lead and silence the home supporters

Almost immediately City hit back and Jack Rodwell took a pass from Dzeko and scored a cracker to make it one all

It was his first goal for City and well deserved

He was in action soon after at the other end when he fouled Snodgrass

The free kick taken by the Snodgrass was tipped over the bar by Joe Hart

City continued to attack and put the Norwich goal under pressure

Dzeko went close following corners but City could not provide the finishing touch

Then Norwich went close as an effort by Snodgrass went just wide

Another shot by Snodgrass goes wide and its one all at half time

just after the interval Hart saved from Bennett following a free kick

On 49 minutes we had a substitution and Aguero came on for Tevez who said his farewell to referee Mark Halsey

Carlos waves goodbye to the fans

Gets an extra hug from Aguero....

...and a handshake from Kidd

Before the tears were dry Norwich went ahead with a goal by Holt

It was greeted with massive cheers from the Norwich supporters who did the Poznan!

A few minutes later and Rodwell outpaced a defender and scored a great goal to equalize

It was a perfectly placed shot and was appreciated by the crowd

The goal was warmly welcomed by fellow players and supporters

Disaster was to follow on 64 minutes when Richards was beaten and Howson sped away and finished well to give Norwich the lead

The Norwich supporters were in dreamland

Immediately after the goal off went Rodwell and on came Silva!

City tried to get back into the game but without success

Yaya Toure fails to score

That's a strange head!!!

Aguero shoots wide in a last minute attempt to equalize

Referee Mark Halsey says his farewell to the crowd . He now retires from refereeing

The Norwich players give their thanks to their excellent supporters

The goals make their exit

The players and staff and their families give their thanks to the supporters - those that are left of course!