Norwich 0-0 Manchester City: Canaries hold Citizens to stalemate

Manuel Pellegrini's charges have given the teams above them the chance to pull away further in the title race, while the Canaries stopped the rot with a hard-earned point

Manchester City's PREMIER LEAGUE title ambitions were dealt a potentially fatal blow as they were held to a 0-0 draw with relegation-threatened Norwich at Carrow Road.

Manuel Pellegrini stated in the build up that the Citizens needed to win nine of their remaining 10 games in order to have a shot at winning the league, but they left themselves with no margin for error from here on in after failing to find a way past home goalkeeper John Ruddy.

The goalless stalemate has left fourth-placed City nine points behind leaders Leicester City, who take on Newcastle on Monday night.

Credit should be given to Norwich, who put in a battling performance that could have even resulted in a much-needed victory had Patrick Bamford's first-half effort not struck the bar.

Sergio Aguero, who had scored five goals in five PREMIER LEAGUE appearances against Norwich ahead of this weekend's encounter, had the best of City's chances but found Ruddy in determined mood.

Sloppy defending from Russell Martin early on allowed Aguero to try his luck from a narrow angle, but the Norwich defender made amends for his poor headed clearance with a good block.

Source: http://www.goal.com