Football: City’s six appeal

Tevez’s hat-trick seals 6-1 win over Norwich, United’s lead cut to just 2 points.

LONDON:

Carlos Tevez hit a hat-trick as Manchester City crushed Norwich 6-1 to pile the pressure on Premier League leaders Manchester United.

Roberto Mancini's side moved within two points of title-rivals United thanks to a treble from Argentina forward Tevez, two goals from Sergio Aguero and an Adam Johnson strike.

United now need to beat Aston Villa at home today to re-establish their five-point advantage at the top.

Norwich were swept aside before half-time as Tevez opened the scoring with a swerving shot from long-range that deceived the goal-keeper.

The Argentine was instrumental in the second goal nine minutes later as Aguero played a pass into Tevez and the Argentine's back-heel allowed his compatriot to fire home from the edge of the area for his 27th goal of the season.

Norwich midfielder Andrew Surman reduced the deficit in the 51st minute, but Tevez poked home in the 73rd minute and Aguero netted a brilliant solo effort two minutes later.

Tevez completed his treble in the 80th minute and Johnson clinched City's first away league win since February with a stoppage-time effort.

"I think we did well without Carlos for four or five months but I'm sure if we had Carlos with Sergio Aguero, Edin Dzeko and Mario Balotelli we would have scored more goals," said Mancini.

Meanwhile, in the other matches of the day, West Brom beat relegation-threatened QPR 1-0, Swansea thrashed 19th-placed Blackburn 3-0 while Sunderland and Wolves played out a goal-less draw.

Liverpool survive Everton scare

Liverpool striker Andy Carroll savoured his Wembley winner after scoring the late goal that fired the Reds to victory over Everton and into the FA Cup final.

Liverpool were made to pay for their lacklustre opening as Jelavic pounced for his sixth goal in the 24th minute. Liverpool drew level on 62 minutes when Distin under-hit his back pass to Tim Howard and Luis Suarez raced through on goal before poking his finish under the American keeper.

But Carroll, derided as a £35-million misfit after struggling to settle at Anfield in his first full season at the club following his record transfer from Newcastle, was the toast of Liverpool's travelling fans after heading home an 87th-minute winner to clinch a 2-1 win.

R Mancini

"I think we did well without Carlos for four or five months but I'm sure if we had Carlos with Sergio Aguero, Edin Dzeko and Mario Balotelli we would have scored more goals."

A Carroll

“It's the best feeling ever. We worked hard and getting the goal right there at the end was great. I've had some criticism but I've just kept on going. I get the winner here and it's a great feeling.”

Published in The Express Tribune, April 15^th, 2012.