MATCH STATS

MANCHESTER CITY James, Mills, Distin, Dunne, Jordan, Flood, Sibierski, Bosvelt, McManaman, Shaun Wright-Phillips, Anelka. Subs: Onuoha (for Dunne, 68), Fowler (for McManaman, 81), Waterreus, Bradley Wright-Phillips, McCarthy. Formation: 4-4-2

NORWICH CITY Green, Edworthy, Fleming, Charlton, Brennan, Holt, Jonson, Francis, Huckerby, McKenzie, Svensson. Subs: Henderson (for Jonson, 81), McVeigh (for McKenzie, 87), Mulryne, Ward, Helveg. Formation: 4-4-2

SCORERS: Man City: Flood (11) Norwich: Francis (46)

TOP CANARY: EDP: Damien Francis

ATTENDANCE: 42,803

REFEREE: Steve Bennett (Kent)

YELLOW CARDS: Man City: Sibierski (41)

RED CARDS: None

SHOTS ON TARGET: Man City 6, Norwich 3

SHOTS OFF TARGET: Man City 11, Norwich 5

CORNERS: Man City 9, Norwich 4

FOULS:  Man City 12, Norwich 14

OFFSIDE:  Man City 3, Norwich 10

Monday November 1, 2004
CHRIS WISE

Norwich City took just 11 seconds to launch yet another excellent second half comeback as they came from behind to grab a well-deserved point on their first visit to the City of Manchester Stadium.

Trailing to an 11th minute strike from Premiership debutant Willo Flood the Canaries went straight onto the attack on the restart - and the home fans could hardly believe what they were seeing as the visitors got straight back on level terms.

A simple pass down the left flank from Jim Brennan, who was making his first appearance of the season, caused havoc in the home defence with ex-Canary Danny Mills completely missing a routine header - and, when Matt Svensson squared the ball to Damien Francis, the all-action midfielder had few problems side-footing the ball past David James to put his side right back into an entertaining, end-to-end game.

After that the Canaries could have won the game, but they could also have lost it with the home side having furious appeals for a penalty turned down following a handball from skipper Craig Fleming. Yet there was absolutely no doubt that Nigel Worthington's men deserved their fourth draw of the season.

The point took Norwich off the bottom of the table on goal difference and, although they are still waiting for that first win, their season will be truly up and running if they can see off fellow strugglers Blackburn at Carrow Road on Saturday. What a match that promises to be.

Just for a change the visitors made a bright start to the game and they gave Kevin Keegan's side a scare after just four minutes when Darren Huckerby sent over a free-kick from the right. Francis just had to get a touch with his head and Norwich were one up but he failed to make contact, as did Leon McKenzie, who was lurking at the back post.

The home side, with two players making their Premiership debut, looked nervous and devoid of ideas in the early stages - and it was something of a surprise when they took the lead with what was their first genuine attack of the game.

It really was a goal out of the blue, with Shaun Wright-Phillips showing his skill and vision as he picked out Flood on the right with a glorious volleyed pass across the edge of the 18-yard box. The Irish youngster caught the ball perfectly to send a powerful shot goalwards, but there didn't seem to be too much danger with Green watching it all the way. The shot had plenty of pace and bounced before reaching the keeper, but he somehow let it through his grasp and City went one behind as the ball spun off his shoulder into the back of the net.

Darren Huckerby battles for the ball with former Canary Danny Mills.

The home side had a good turn of pressure after that without seriously troubling Green and the battling Canaries soon regained a foothold in the game that appeared to be theirs for the taking.

It took a good save from David James to keep out a powerful drive from Francis after an incisive pass from Huckerby, playing across to the advanced left-sided midfielder with McKenzie and Svensson up front.

And on the half-hour mark Francis made another good run into an advanced position to pick up another good Huckerby pass before side-footing over from just inside the box.

To be fair to the hosts, they might easily have made it 2-0 on 40 minutes when Nicolas Anelka burst into the area after a wonderful one-two with Wright-Phillips, only for Green to atone for his earlier error by saving well. And it was Norwich who finished the half the stronger side.

They duly carved out their third reasonable chance of the half in stoppage time when Gary Holt made a good interception and slipped a good ball to McKenzie. But James saved well at the Norwich striker's feet and made a second clearance as the ball ran free to ensure his side went in at half-time with a slender advantage.

Half-time: Manchester City 1, Norwich City 0

Damien Francis celebrates his equaliser at the start of the second half.

Straight from the restart the Canaries levelled the game after a simple pass down the left flank from Jim Brennan caused havoc in the home defence with ex-Canary Danny Mills completely missing a routine header - and, when Matt Svensson squared the ball to Damien Francis, the midfielder had few problems side-footing the ball past David James.

Having equalised straight from the kick off the Canaries continued to take the game to the opposition in the early stages of the second period with a horrible miss-kick from a clearly rattled Mills gifting them another chance.

This time it was Huckerby who had a sight of goal, but unfortunately for the Canaries he delayed his shot too long and the chance came to nothing.

Francis then shot just high and wide from around 18 yards before his fifth effort on goal, when he reacted first to a deflection to send a low shot goalwards.

Craig Fleming watches a Willo Flood effort bounce off a post after Robert Green got the slightest of touches on the ball.

The Blues only had two opportunities in the second half - but what opportunities they were. After 65 minutes the impressive Wright-Phillips dinked a beautiful pass to Flood, who took the ball to the edge of the six-yard box before letting fly from an acute angle.

It looked for all the world as though the Canaries were about to go 2-1 down - but the ball amazingly came out off the inside of the upright and bounced to safety, Green having appeared to get a slight but vital touch.

The home side's second big chance arrived on 83 minutes when Anelka wriggled past Charlton, only to see his close range effort blocked by Green.

The ball ran out to recently introduced substitute Robbie Fowler, who promptly fired goalwards from eight yards with Green out of position. Fleming got in the way, but it was clearly his arm which prevented a goal and the home side were understandably furious when the referee Steve Bennett waved play on.

Perhaps the Kent official was evening things up, having turned down plenty of Norwich penalty appeals in his time!

It was a big slice of luck for Norwich, but a slice of luck they fully deserved and they should now be in good heart for the absolutely crucial basement battle at the weekend.

Result: Manchester City 1, Norwich City 1