CITY out for the count

Pellegrini says his side are still in title race mathematically but draw leaves...

EVEN with Manchester City’s powers of recovery, the Premier League title now looks out reach. They did win the league in 2012 having been eight points behind Manchester United with six games to go. But on that occasion they still had United to play and they were the only club to catch. This time, they are nine behind Leicester with nine to play but Spurs and Arsenal are also ahead of them.

Manuel Pellegrini will never concede, ‘as long as it’s mathematically possible, you can do it,’ he said, but little in the performance of his players suggested it is at all realistic. They have not won consecutive league games since October, so the nine in a row they need now is an almost impossible task.

They were the better team at Carrow Road yesterday, but you would expect that against a team in the bottom three with only one point from a possible 27.

Sergio Aguero twice tested John Ruddy and was inches away from winning a penalty, while Gael Clichy never stopped bombing forward from left-back.

But others failed to turn up. David Silva was a shadow of his past self with Pellegrini admitting the Spaniard continues to be troubled by an ankle problem. Jesus Navas was dreadful. With Norwich defending so deep to nullify his pace, there was nothing else for him to offer.

He wil not survive Pep Guardiola and neither will many others. For all the criticism of Yaya Toure, his absence reinforced the fact he can win matches below-par. Norwich were brilliant at the back with Timm Klose man-of-the-match and Martin Olsson also outstanding. Alex Neil went for a point and got it to move the team only a point behind 17thplace Sunderland.

They did not register a shot on target but could claim the closest opportunity of the 90 minutes, Patrick Bamford swivelling to strike an effort against the crossbar in the first half. It was the Chelsea loanee’s first Premier League start at the age of 22 and he was so nearly the hero. Substitute Graham Dorrans had an arguably better chance late on but slashed it wide.

Pellegrini chose his words more carefully than usual afterwards: ‘Of course I am frustrated. We wanted three points today,’ he said.

‘We had good possession but couldn’t create space which is one of the things we normally do well.’

There was some sympathy for Silva. ‘I think he is playing with some problems with his ankle but it is not a problem that doesn’t allow him to play,’ said Pellegrini.

‘He tried in different ways to play. Always when you cannot win, it is a problem of the team. It is not just David or Kun [Aguero]. We also have wingers that must win their one v ones.’ This fixture provided one of the Premier League’s most famous moments 11 years ago when Norwich co-owner Delia Smith implored the fans to make more noise with the immortal phrase: ‘Let’s be havin’ you.’

The fans were in terrific voice yesterday as Norwich, who had travelled together on the bus in a change from their normal routine, then parked it. They were happy to put 10 players behind the ball at times and it worked.

Aguero had a stinging free-kick tipped over by Ruddy, who then palmed away another fierce effort from an acute angle.

When Aguero charged towards the penalty area, Klose tripped him at exactly the right moment, just a couple of yards outside the box. Silva hit the free-kick into the wall.

Every time Navas tried to cross, Olsson blocked. Every time Aguero attempted to interact with Wilfried Bony or Kelechi Iheanacho, Klose intercepted.

A delighted Neil said: ‘I’ve always believed we are good enough to stay up but this will help the fans and everyone else committed to Norwich believe it. The amount of effort the players are putting into staying in this league can’t be questioned.

‘I thought our game management was a lot better than in recent weeks. I felt Graham Dorrans had the best chance and if you see him in training, you’d want it to fall for him. We posed threats here and there and showed great determination.’

With Aston Villa doomed, it looks like two from three will join them

with 34-year-old Neil up against two managerial stalwarts; Sam Allardyce (Sunderland) and the newly-arrived Rafa Benitez (Newcastle).

Not that the Spaniard’s reputation is intimidating the young Scot. ‘Newcastle have got to come here. Rafa Benitez won’t win the game, players will win the game,’ he said.

The one setback was England under-21 winger Nathan Redmond being forced off in the first half after rolling his ankle.

Pellegrini has to now see his side through their Champions League second leg against Dynamo Kiev on Tuesday and then prepare for an almighty Premier League showdown against Manchester United on Sunday.

Regarding title chances, if they do not topple Louis van Gaal’s side, slim becomes nil and defeat could see them drop out of the top four at the expense of West Ham.