Manchester City sent out a strong message to their title rivals this afternoon with an emphatic 7-0 win over Norwich City at the Etihad Stadium.

The hosts were four up at the break after a Bradley Johnson own goal started a goal-rush that also saw David Silva, Matija Nastasic and Alvaro Negredo find the net.

It was more of the same in the second half as Yaya Toure scored a sublime free kick before Sergio Aguero and Edin Dzeko completed the rout with a goal apiece in the final 20 minutes.

Here, Sports Mole takes an in-depth look at what went right for City and how things went so badly wrong for Norwich.

Match statistics:

Man City:
Shots 27
On target 10
Possession 69%
Corners 10
Fouls 6

Norwich:
Shots 7
On target 1
Possession 31%
Corners 3
Fouls 9

Was the result fair?

It is hard to say that any side deserved to lose 7-0, but the result was very much a fair one. City were dominant from the first whistle until the last and there was only ever going to be one winner from the moment the opening goal rather fortuitously deflected in. City took their foot off the pedal a little in the second half but were still completely in control and never looked like conceding. A seven-goal margin may be a little harsh on Norwich, but then, City were that good today.

Man City's performance

Stunning. The pre-match build-up was all about the choice of goalkeeper, with Joe Hart being dropped for Costel Pantilimon, but once the opening whistle went it was the attackers who stole the show. Samir Nasri, David Silva and Yaya Toure were all on top form in midfield, while Aguero was always a threat up front. Norwich simply couldn't handle City at times and they showed without doubt that, on their day, they would be able to beat any other team in the league. Perhaps the biggest compliment that can be paid to the hosts today is that the scoreline didn't flatter them and that, in truth, it could have been more.

Norwich's performance

They weren't given much to work with by a superb City performance, but Norwich were poor today. Once again they looked devoid of ideas up front and never threatened the opposition's goal, while in defence Sebastien Bassong was particularly shaky. Manager Chris Hughton could take positives out of their other recent league defeats having looked capable of getting something from their matches against Arsenal and Chelsea, but they were never in this one today. It was one-way traffic from start to finish and the heavy nature of the defeat could pile the pressure on Hughton. The only plus point is that their torrid run of fixtures is now out of the way.

Sports Mole's man of the match

Sergio Aguero: You really could take your pick from four or five Man City players this afternoon, but Aguero gets the nod for his persistent threat up front. He got three assists and also scored one of his own to keep up his incredible scoring streak of late. Norwich didn't have an answer for the little Argentine, who coupled moments of immense skill with a superb work rate that never let the Canaries' defence rest.

Biggest gaffe

This one goes to Bassong, whose poor clearance from a David Silva cross allowed Aguero to score City's sixth of the afternoon. It may not have cost Norwich the game, but it was still a weak attempt to clear what should have been a fairly routine cross. John Ruddy also deserves a mentioned for letting the ball squirm under his arm for City's second goal.

Referee performance

There weren't any eyes on referee Phil Dowd today as he had a quiet match. He handed out a couple of deserved yellow cards but his most taxing job this afternoon was blowing to restart the match so often.

What next?

Man City: Man City are at home again on Tuesday when they face CSKA Moscow in the Champions League.

Norwich: Norwich will look to pick themselves up and dust themselves off before next Saturday's match against West Ham at Carrow Road.