Yaya Waits For Verdict

Last updated : 10 February 2014 By Footy Mad - Editor

The Football Association is looking into the clash involving the Manchester City midfielder and if action is taken he would face a three-match ban.

The kick, during the 0-0 draw at Carrow Road, appeared to be missed by match officials and Hughton said: "It did go unnoticed and there was no doubt there was a slight kick out.

"There was certainly something, but whether that was enough for a red card, then that is for the referee to decide on.

"It was a minimal incident in the game, and the bigger factor was it was a good team performance by us."

A suspension for the Ivory Coast international would be a hammer blow to City's title hopes after Manuel Pelligrini's side dropped two points at Norwich on the back of losing to current Premier League leaders Chelsea.

A three-match ban would see Toure, arguably City's most influential player this season, miss Wednesday's game against Sunderland, the FA Cup fifth round match against Chelsea at the weekend, and the league fixture against Stoke at a time when City are already stretched in midfield.

The only positive note for City is that all three of those games would be at home.

Pellegrini believes the title race will go to the wire.

He said: "This year the Premier League will be closer than ever. It is very difficult to know who are the favourites.

"The favourites were Arsenal because, after playing 25 games, Arsenal were leading the table for most of them.

"(Then) we were the favourites though, because we had been playing very well before this week.

"Chelsea are now playing well as well, but they are not the favourites - and don't forget about Liverpool, and maybe Everton or Tottenham.

"I think five teams are going to fight for the Premier League this season."

NORWICH 0 MAN CITY 0

1. Joe Hart   
5. Pablo Zabaleta   
4. Vincent Kompany   
26. Martin Demichelis   
22. Gael Clichy   
15. Jesus Navas   
7. James Milner   
42. Yaya Toure   
21. David Silva   
35. Stevan Jovetic  61' 
9. Alvaro Negredo  77' 
 
Subs
2. Micah Richards   
6. Joleon Lescott   
10. Edin Dzeko  61' 
13. Aleksandar Kolarov  77' 
17. Jack Rodwell   
30. Costel Pantilimon   
64. Marcos Lopes  

Manchester City missed the chance to go top of the Barclays Premier League as Norwich battled to a goalless draw on a frustrating afternoon for Manuel Pellegrini's men at Carrow Road.

Pellegrini had made three change from the side which lost at home to Chelsea on Monday as they looked to take full advantage of Arsenal's 5-1 defeat at Liverpool earlier on Saturday.

However, it was the relegation-threatened Canaries - hammered 7-0 at the Etihad Stadium in November - who raised their game and soaked up plenty of pressure to earn themselves what could be a crucial point in their fight to stay up.

City had hit the crossbar in the first half through a header from Alvaro Negredo, but otherwise Norwich goalkeeper John Ruddy was not really troubled - and the home side almost snatched victory in stoppage time when Nathan Redmond's cross flew through the six-yard box just ahead of Ricky van Wolfswinkel.

The visitors created an early opening when a cross from left-back Gael Clichy was hacked away by Norwich defender Joseph Yobo, making his debut on loan from Fenerbahce, with David Silva lurking in the penalty area.

Norwich, though, showed plenty of attacking intent themselves, with a goalbound 20-yard drive from defender Martin Olsson cannoning off Pablo Zabaleta and behind for a corner.

On 16 minutes, Redmond was played in to the City penalty area on the overlap down the right, but the England Under-21 winger could only blast his angled drive high into the Barclay End.

Norwich had a goal correctly ruled out for offside when Gary Hooper swept the loose ball home inside the six-yard box after Joe Hart had saved a bullet header from Leroy Fer at point-blank range after a corner.

There was a brief stoppage when City midfielder Yaya Toure needed treatement after taking a knock to the face, but play soon started again.

On 36 minutes, City struck the woodwork when a near-post corner was flicked on and Negredo's header cannoned back off the crossbar.

The visitors pressed again as half-time approached, with Ruddy getting down well to save a low, 20-yard strike from Stevan Jovetic.

City maintained their dominance following the restart and only a brilliant diving tackle by Olsson prevented Jesus Navas from slotting home at the far post on 55 minutes.

In a rare Norwich attack, a clever exchange between Hooper and Russell Martin saw the full-back played into space at the edge of the City penalty area, but his half-volley flew wide.

On 61 minutes, City replaced Jovetic with Edin Dzeko.

Hooper needed treatment for a foot problem after kicking Silva's boot as he tried to clear, and had to come off, as Norwich's club-record signing Van Wolfswinkel was sent on in the 67th minute.

Milner was booked for tripping Olsson, but it only interupted the seige as Dzeko fired into the side netting following another flowing counter-attack.

Aleksandar Kolarov came on for Negredo with 14 minutes left

Navas' low cross went through the six-yard box and behind as City were again frustrated by a lack of cutting edge.

Norwich, though, almost snatched it at the death as first Redmond's cross was just too far ahead of Van Wolfswinkel and Anthony Pilkington fired just over after turning Zabelata.