Manchester City survived Samir Nasri's sending-off and a spirited Norwich City comeback to claim maximum points in an entertaining Carrow Road clash this afternoon.

Edin Dzeko is congratulated by team mates after scoring his second goal on December 29, 2012 © PA Photos

An early Edin Dzeko double saw the Premier League champions surge into a two-goal advantage, which was halved by an Anthony Pilkington reply.

Nasri's dismissal gifted Norwich the ascendancy, but Sergio Aguero restored City's cushion with a well-taken third.

Sergio Aguero celebrates after scoring his team's third goal on December 29, 2012 © PA Photos

Russell Martin netted for the Canaries either side of a Mark Bunn own goal, but the 10-man visitors hung on to keep in touch with rivals United at the top of the table.

Dzeko, handed a start ahead of Carlos Tevez, opened the scoring after two minutes when he smartly volleyed home from Nasri's cross.

Edin Dzeko celebrates after scoring the opener against Norwich on December 29, 2012 © PA Photos

A simple finish from Aguero's square pass doubled the Bosnian's tally after just four minutes, but City's afternoon was to get progressively more difficult from that moment.

Pilkington's deflected free kick, awarded suspectly following Vincent Kompany's challenge on Robert Snodgrass, pulled one back for Norwich.

Anthony Pilkington takes a free kick to score his team's first goal against Manchester City on December 29, 2012 © PA Photos

After being on the receiving end of a heavy Sebastien Bassong tackle, Nasri responded angrily and saw red for lunging his head in the direction of the Cameroonian defender.

Samir Nasri is shown the red card on December 29, 2012 © PA Photos

Aguero's classy dink over Bunn shortly after the interval eased City's worries but stand-in captain Martin kept Norwich in the contest with a close-range header.

Dzeko was denied a hat-trick when Bunn saved his low drive at the near post, but the ball bounced off the woodwork and into the net off the goalkeeper's shoulder.

Sergio Aguero and Edin Dzeko celebrate their team's fourth goal against Norwich City on December 29, 2012 © PA Photos