Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney is congratulated by his team mates after his superb finish capped a 4-0 Premier League win over Norwich City at Old Trafford. Picture by Paul Chesterton/Focus Images Ltd

Norwich City boss Chris Hughton insists Manchester United were flattered by 4-0 Premier League win

Paddy Davitt, EDP Sports Writer Saturday, March 2, 2013
6:03 PM

Chris Hughton left Old Trafford feeling a sense of injustice at the nature of Norwich’s 4-0 Premier League defeat to champions-elect Manchester United.

Shinji Kagawa’s hat-trick and a thumping long range hit from Wayne Rooney in stoppage time underlined the gulf in class between Sir Alex Ferguson’s side and the Canaries after City had resisted until the final minute of the first half before the inspirational Rooney helped punish a tiring Norwich outfit in the final 15 minutes.

“I don’t think the scoreline was a fair reflection but it shows the quality of the team they put out in the first place,” said Hughton. “They punished us when they got the spaces in that final period. they have the type of quality that can hurt you. I am really disappointed. Any team who comes here has to put in a real tough shift because you know they will have the majority of possession. The first goal was a poor one by our standards, but I think the second hurt us perhaps that bit more because we had to open up a little bit and when you do that against United they have the quality to really hurt you.”

84 comments

Ged is such an `underling` of mine, he even plagiarised the "flattered\flattened" comment I made several postings earlier. That is really flattering. ;-)

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Mad Brewer

Monday, March 4, 2013
Is it just a coincidence that when 'steady on' goes quiet, GED appears, in addition to new faces previously unknown. Me thinks the boys are being revved up.

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Lobbo

Sunday, March 3, 2013
Wouldn't know how tbh, been following Norwich since the early eighties and since the end of the troubles never got past more than banter with supporters of another club wherever I've lived.

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Gruff

Sunday, March 3, 2013
A average day at the office against currently the best in the land. A bad result but it has not changed much, heads down now boys, dig deep and lets have 2 or 3 more wins over the next month or so. COYY

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MBA Marine

Sunday, March 3, 2013
Fair enough Gruff. Next time you come out can you deal with that illiterate troll below you?

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DocOhNo

Sunday, March 3, 2013
Doc oh no, careless after a very long day, I'll get back under my bridge now

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Gruff

Sunday, March 3, 2013
They were flattered and we were flattened!!! Ho, ho, ho. You can have that one to use yourselves fans!!! All the best and warm regards, your pal and leader - Ged Steroo (Whooton out! He's Hopeless, Clubsajoke)

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Ged Steroo

Sunday, March 3, 2013
Interesting!!! Now watching Spurs they are 2-0 up. How did we draw twice and beat them. Surely it proves how far we have come as today they look so good OTBC

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sharky

Sunday, March 3, 2013
…..don't ask me to look under the bonnet of my car...The fuel goes in at the back..Thats my lot!

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Stew Pydsodd

Sunday, March 3, 2013
…..Listen Playmates! Stewpydsodd Calling!...Brew I could help a little bit more, but it might sound like advertising.... I recently upgraded my Broadband -Telephone -TV package with Virgin Media... They gave me a new Tivo box, new WiFi (wireless) modem, free telephone calls, and charge me much less each month than I was paying. Engineer set everything up, but you will need a WiFi (wireless) laptop, or an extra long cable from computer to TV.... I know what you may be thinking—'Leave well alone', but turn the clock back a couple of years or so, and basic computers were beyond us!..... By the way ! BT -Sky- may also be able to help. Worth giving it some thought! Regards!.

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Stew Pydsodd

Sunday, March 3, 2013
Sharky what is a typewiter ? I still use paper and pen . L.O.L. O.T.B.C.

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yarco

Sunday, March 3, 2013
Yes he did and a good bowler too. Underwoods made very old typewriters. ;-)

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sharky

Sunday, March 3, 2013
The guy who played cricket for Kent??

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Mad Brewer

Sunday, March 3, 2013
Was it made by Underwoods lol

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sharky

Sunday, March 3, 2013
Btw, what`s WiFi? I have a BT Home Hub, is that similar?? I use a 3-tonne hand-crafted brass & wood PC - too heavy for my lap.

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Mad Brewer

Sunday, March 3, 2013
Stew, I SO tried to make that wiziwig connection work but, ultimately, I failed. But I think the margin of victory for the Dark Forces of IT over this incomputerate old Git was flattering to them! There must be something missing in my PC software, could it be "Adobe Flashplayer" or suchlike? ;-)

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Mad Brewer

Sunday, March 3, 2013
Stew, I SO tried to make that wiziwig connection work but, ultimately, I failed. But I think the margin of victory for the Dark Forces of IT over this incomputerate old Git was flattering to them! There must be something missing in my PC software, could it be "Adobe Flashplayer" or suchlike? ;-)

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Mad Brewer

Sunday, March 3, 2013
Some contributors make it very difficult not to lambast them but I suspect that they are intruders from another area who are jealous of Citys progress in recent years. Anyone thinking it wouldn't be a struggle against a multi million pound team needs to get real. If our boys were as good at football as the top teams they would be playing for them. All we can hope for is some entertaining football which we are given on quite a few occasions. If you don't think City are to your taste do what millions of other so call supporters do and support whichever team comes top of the league in any particular season. Most of us are reasonably happy that why we have season tickets.

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goldie

Sunday, March 3, 2013
I was amazed what was there to be honest. I,ll bed moving soon after an N&N visit so hope to set everything up then.I,m a bit if a racing fan as well. Important games coming up. I think the tactics will be much different. I think our management will see to that with the millions promised

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sharky

Sunday, March 3, 2013
…...You are more than welcome sharky! As you saw, there are other matches and much more sport on there …..Pleased I could help!...With WiFi , and a laptop, you should be able to connect to your main TV as I do, and watch in real comfort!.....

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Stew Pydsodd

Sunday, March 3, 2013
…...You are more than welcome sharky! As you saw, there are other matches and much more sport on there …..Pleased I could help!...With WiFi , and a laptop, you should be able to connect to your main TV as I do, and watch in real comfort!.....

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Stew Pydsodd

Sunday, March 3, 2013
I think the harsh bit was 87th and 90th min goals. Johnson and Howson not with it at the end. It would be interesting what the stats were on them. Wiziwig worked for me thankyou.

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sharky

Sunday, March 3, 2013
Am loving all the comments from the manure supporters along the lines of "it may have only been Norwich but it was a great result today". The truth is "Only Norwich" and two other teams have beaten Manure this season...

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wisemanthree

Sunday, March 3, 2013
Golden eadie, Wes is not having the best of times at the moment.Going sideways you say...Well from my view he had NO WINGERS to pass to, and more often than not he was playing FRONT MAN, and chasing the big boot up-field. Holt having to try to fill the large holes in our defence. Now if you had said Pilkington, 'Did he play yesterday '?..Snodgrass another playing in defence. ..We were missing an attacking option for 95% of the match. This has got to be sorted, sooner rather than later. If Hughton is the right man for the job, then there must be a change with his back-up support!

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Pa Snipps

Sunday, March 3, 2013
What I think Hoots meant was we were unlucky to lose 4-0. I agree with him, I think 4-0 was a bit harsh, although we did not play as well as we did last season there when we have Morison and Hoots missing gilt edged chances. Anyway, let look onwards and upwards. I am predicting we will finish 14th on 43 Points. OTBC

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Dubai Canary

Sunday, March 3, 2013
Come on guys, it was Man utd. They are going to walk the league this year so what did you all expect. We did what we could but we can't compete with teams of that class. I thought we battled hard and could have been in front with a better cross from Johnson. A goal 30 secs from half time was harsh and we had a go at them second half so stop complaining and get behind the lads. We will be staying up and quite comfotably in the end. Anyway we beat em at our place so fairs fair, we had to give them a chance, ehem. Rolf and Viperman are total morons. Try the Ipswich sites, you'll fit right in there.

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lordbesty

Sunday, March 3, 2013
Btw, as hard as I try, I cannot get to the self-delusional state where I start believing MU were "flattered".

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Mad Brewer

Sunday, March 3, 2013
why did our attack have no shots on target? sorry all you Wes fans but, not for the first time this season, he did absolutely nothing positive. i don't remember him being so slow, has something happened to him? everytime he ran (sideways) with the ball, he was overtaken and dispossessed easily. whenever he tried a forward pass, it rebounded from a defenders legs.

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goldeneadie

Sunday, March 3, 2013
Our fate is in our own hands; Soton, Reading, Villa, Wigan. We can beat Swansea, can`t we? ;-). WBA at home not impossible? 6 draws may not be quite enough, we certainly need to impose ourselves on at least 2 of these sides.

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Mad Brewer

Sunday, March 3, 2013
Of course we were expected to lose, but here are some random thoughts on the nature of the defeat. Grumpy is right, we didn't expect Howson and Johnson to play so badly. I agree with Dobbino and don't understand Hughton's love affair with Johnson - he consistently gives the ball away and wastes attacking opportunities. Lambert realised this and that's why he was mainly on the bench. Also he is a dangerous player and has been lucky not to have been sent off on several occasions. I'm sorry to say that Howson simply isn't good enough. It was their combined lack of concentration that helped Manure score so freely. Viperman is right, but Hughton didn't just big up Manure, he bigs up EVERY team we play and it's becoming boring and frustrtating. No doubt if we don't beat Southampton, like Fulham, they will have been a very very good side and we will have been lucky to earn a point. I watched it on ESPN too with Steve McManaman as the summariser. What a disgusting job he did - laughing at our inadequacies throughout - I thought they were supposed to be impartial. Finally, Rolf, Norwich has TWO big churches - they're called Cathedrals and it's nothing to do with heir size. Idiot! Let's hope the Saints game puts me in a better frame of mind, but we're not out if this yet.

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jigs69

Sunday, March 3, 2013
and the irony is, that I was using this word to say how lovely and respectful everyone is on the site this morning.

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Lobbo

Sunday, March 3, 2013
I did, Lobbo! I was testing your hypothesis - you were correct. Curiouser `n` curiouser......

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Mad Brewer

Sunday, March 3, 2013
seems "cour te ous" is now deemed to be an "off en sive" word, Lobbo. Cu ri ous in deed.

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Mad Brewer

Sunday, March 3, 2013
Brew you prankster. Write it without the spaces.

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Lobbo

Sunday, March 3, 2013
cour te ous

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Mad Brewer

Sunday, March 3, 2013
courteous

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Mad Brewer

Sunday, March 3, 2013
Btw, as I recall, Wigan even had more attempts on goal than did Liverpool, so they might rightly feel aggrieved at the scoreline. But to have zero attempts on goal is not a robust soapbox from which to protest a "flattering" scoreline. We were lucky it wasn`t "flattening".

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Mad Brewer

Sunday, March 3, 2013
Think we did really well holding out so well. Man U are a top team who are on form. After the first one it's a choice of try to lose by as few goals as possible or try to get yourself back in it and be vulnerable at the back. I'd far rather the second option was used even if it means a nasty scoreline being the risk.

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LittleYellowBirdie

Sunday, March 3, 2013
Hi Stew. I just wondered if it`s `cos I haven`t installed a frequently offered upgrade to Adobe Flashplayer or something?? Last time I accepted an upgrade, they "disappeared" my AVG anti-virus thing and tried to flog me an expensive alternative, leaving me virus-prone, so I`m nervous about installing anything now! I need a young person, like my youngest son, to come & sort it out for me! As it is, I`ve got a lot of new stuff on screen which may be a result of yesterday`s attempt!? I wouldn`t know!! Your instructions worked fine up to the choice of channel bit. Perhaps that counts as "progress" for me? ;-) Btw, I don`t know what a "virus" is in this context, anyway!

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Mad Brewer

Sunday, March 3, 2013
Hello Brew! You got as far as the final fence. Yes it is a bit of a pigs breakfast at that point. I think the word is 'perseverance'....Football-- they tried, and tried hard, but seemed dis-jointed. Lacking guidance... Finished like wire netting trying to stop the wind....In MY opinion!

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Stew Pydsodd

Sunday, March 3, 2013
Very interesting. I've narrowed it down to cour te ous. Curious.

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Lobbo

Sunday, March 3, 2013
I need to know which word 'the machine' doesn't like. Is it courteous?

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Lobbo

Sunday, March 3, 2013
Third try, saying . Fair comment Dubai. How courteous the site is this morning.

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Lobbo

Sunday, March 3, 2013
mucho posting problems this morning.

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Lobbo

Sunday, March 3, 2013
testing .. testing..

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Lobbo

Sunday, March 3, 2013
I'm perplexed. All I said was. Fair comment Dubai. Everyone seems to be courteous and respectable of each others postings this morning, and it got gobbled up by 'the machine'. Curious.

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Lobbo

Sunday, March 3, 2013
Watched the Wigan highlights. Liverpool`s keeper, Pepé Reina, had to make several really top saves. But Wigan still lost 4-0. Now that IS a flattering result for Liverpool. our 4-0 defeat was no more than could be expected; we didn`t muster a serious shot on goal. Disappointing, let`s just get the survival points and get ready for next season. Stew, my wiziwig attempt fell at the final fence! Thanks for trying! I am incomputerate. :-(

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Mad Brewer

Sunday, March 3, 2013
By playing the lone striker formation was CH trying to play for a draw or to keep the score as low as posible but which ever he failed on both counts.

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leslie cater

Sunday, March 3, 2013
Big disappointment after the first 45 minutes but our midfield duo of Howson and Johnson just didnt do their job.

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Grumpy

Sunday, March 3, 2013
This result was expected, to be honest. United have their tails up at the mo and it was ridiculous to think that united would weaken their team when they are facing the prospect of a treble. On to the next game. OTBC.

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CovCanary

Sunday, March 3, 2013
…..Opinions! Opinions! Opinions!...Saw it ALL...Reminded me of a contented cat tormenting a terrified mouse.....

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Stew Pydsodd

Sunday, March 3, 2013
Lobbo, I don't think you can fault the tactics. We almost got to half-time at 0-0 and just fell at the last gasp. To be honest, for the first 20 minutes of the second half City were full of ambition - the possession statistics show that we dominated this period. Anyway, United are not Champions for nothing, they have a vast array of talent available to them which has probably cost 20 or 30 times more to assemble than our squad. I don't think we should get too bent out of shape about this result, it is the next 2-3 games that are more important to us ! OTBC

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Dubai Canary

Sunday, March 3, 2013
Anyone got any idea as to why Ferguson virtually snubbed Hughton after the final whistle? He walked pass Chris at a pace, did not really look at him and touched his hand without saying a word or slowing down...

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Mel Lacey

Sunday, March 3, 2013
What was our plan. Go for the win, NO. Limit our loss to less than 2 goals to protect our goal difference, NO. Go for the draw and defend for 90 minutes, NO. I am missing something.

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Lobbo

Sunday, March 3, 2013
I agree Doc, and now there is no opportunity to comment on that article. So let's be clear - there is no room in society (let alone football) for racial hatred and abuse.

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ScotCan

Sunday, March 3, 2013
That first half goal in Fergie time was a killer but then to play 11 behind the ball thereafter was a mistake, One shot on goal the whole game is not going to win any matches. We could lose 4-0 and still put on a show instead of the dour fare served up yesterday.

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richard black

Sunday, March 3, 2013
I'm AMAZED that the site has ethered my comments about idiots who carry out racial abuse. Is ignoring people's disgust with this a corporate stance?

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DocOhNo

Sunday, March 3, 2013
Was at the game today. First half was like the alamo but for the first 15 in the second half we were certainly the better team. Had Martin tapped in from 2 yards, nothwithstanding the foul given against Holt, the game would have gone to the wire. We have taken 3 points from Man u this season, how many teams can say that? not effing many!!!! Onwards and upwards ONBC

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Dave.B

Saturday, March 2, 2013
Only scored in 2 of the last 7 games now. That MUST change.

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CanaryWest

Saturday, March 2, 2013
I see that there's no place for comments on the article about the alleged racist abuse of Bassong. If it's true I just wonder where these cretins come from.

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DocOhNo

Saturday, March 2, 2013
Gruff. I might be inclined to note your opinion if you could be bothered to spell the manager's name right. Just to make it clear, ho wasn't born in Scotland, he didn't play for Liverpool or Oxford and he was a defender, not a midfielder. Others may be tempted to say that you're a troll, I'm not sure. You're probably just a bit careless.

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DocOhNo

Saturday, March 2, 2013
To put matters into context, 3 teams have beaten ManU this season, the last team to beat them was us. Rolf, you are a total Roeder.

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DocOhNo

Saturday, March 2, 2013
Chris Houghton set out his stall from the off, it was just a question of time. After the comeback last week, due to the players and not his management, it was so disappointing.

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Gruff

Saturday, March 2, 2013
Its not really a big deal to " big up " Man U, are you on planet premier league mate!

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tom the taxi

Saturday, March 2, 2013
What game was you watching Chris Hughton? Obviously not the one at Old Trafford. When are you going to stop bigging up the opposition before every game? Makes you sound as though you're looking for excuses before the ball is kicked.

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viperman17

Saturday, March 2, 2013
Rolf is Steve McManaman, watched it online on ESPN, ex Scouser took the p''s out of City from the start. and laughed when Man U scored, T@sser!

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tom the taxi

Saturday, March 2, 2013
And what happened when we did as you suggest.

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sharky

Saturday, March 2, 2013
Beggars belief that Ch went for another cautious 4.5.1 line up, would have thought after last week with the introduction of Kamara to have gone 4.4.2 which in the second half would have given us the extra man upfront to get something from the game. One win in 14 away games reflects a really boring negative view. Now gives us a mountain to climb to stay above the closing pack. In my opinion a self inflicted defeat because of Ch,s negativity. Another miserable Saturday night homeward journey.

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Essex yellow

Saturday, March 2, 2013
The 'Norwich City 0' bit didnt flatter anyone. We didnt have a single shot on target (again).

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CanaryWest

Saturday, March 2, 2013
Rolf-what a Wan.....r!

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dave123

Saturday, March 2, 2013
Norwich City (Only because you have a big churchl)Very poor and bland football team. .Nice place for a night out though. Nice birds, lenient coppers and people who talk with yokel accents.

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Rolf

Saturday, March 2, 2013
I also thought the scoreline was flattering - but they were relentless in their attacks. Even so, I still can't accept the lazy manner in which Johnson ambled back before the hat-trick goal, and turning his back on Rooney and letting him get onto his right foot for that spectacular goal. Another disgusting foul on Rooney as well - resulting in a well-deserved yellow card. He had one or two good promising runs, and then lost the ball or played a poor pass - it's time to give him a rest. Would love to see Fox back in the side and seeing some decent passes from midfield again.

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Dobbino

Saturday, March 2, 2013
Not going to lose any sleep over the result today. Man U aren't 15 points clear for no reason. Mind you, it makes the win against Everton last week all the more important. It's the next few games which are vital. The lads will need us in full voice pushing them on next week

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Flying Canary

Saturday, March 2, 2013
Watching the game on ESPN in the US, when we gave away the ball far more than Utd with poor passes, plus things like Johnson's poor cross when Holt and someone eelse were completely open at their far post early on shows the difference in the multi-millions pound players vs the ones we can afford. The defense played well for 80 minutes with minimum of errors, but showed mental and physical tiredness in the last 10 minutes. Consistency and concentration is the difference between the top and bottom of the EPL, and it was very evident today.

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MichiganCanary

Saturday, March 2, 2013
Watching the game on ESPN in the US, when we gave away the ball far more than Utd with poor passes, plus things like Johnson's poor cross when Holt and someone eelse were completely open at their far post early on shows the difference in the multi-millions pound players vs the ones we can afford. The defense played well for 80 minutes with minimum of errors, but showed mental and physical tiredness in the last 10 minutes. Consistency and concentration is the difference between the top and bottom of the EPL, and it was very evident today.

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MichiganCanary

Saturday, March 2, 2013
Well played to all of the 2500 twelth men today you sang us proud O.T.B.C.

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yarco

Saturday, March 2, 2013
QPR, Reading and Wigan will be the three that drop - I think Villa will just get out of jail, but it will be close. Looking forward to a third season in the PL for City next term - we can only get better and improve from our first two years. I think City have hit the PL jackpot just at the right time. Lambert did a great job and now Hoots has the platform to build on. Should be a top third up in the PL in the next 2-3 years, barring any surprise banana skins ! We ARE the pride of Anglia and will remain so for some considerable time.

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Dubai Canary

Saturday, March 2, 2013
Would have been nice to have showed a bit more ambition, but I think we would have lost this anyway - as has nearly every other team to visit them this season however they played. Can't fault the effort the guys must have been worn out at the end, and we put up a good show for 75 minutes I think the final score flattered Man U. Let's go forward from this, be positive and attack Saints and Reading and get the points we need!

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SussexYellow

Saturday, March 2, 2013
Respect by Fergy after we beat them. Shows how far we have come. Build up for next week boys as the next games are the important ones. OTBC

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sharky

Saturday, March 2, 2013
Look at the upside from today games. Sunderland and Newcastle on 30 points each. Then Wigan and Villa on 24, Reading on 23 and QPR on 20. That is seven teams below us all scrapping for the relegation slots while City are up on 32 and only one point behind Fulham, West Ham and Stoke. We still have 30 pointsleft to play for so no danger for City slipping into the danger zone. I'd say we are in good shape. We will have it all wrapped up by the end of March ! OTBC

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Dubai Canary

Saturday, March 2, 2013
I wasn't over worried about today's result. We would have lost anyway, so going 442, and going for it, showed a spirit that we have been sadly lacking this season. Today doesnt matter in the scale of things.....next week most certainly does!!!

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Algarve Canary

Saturday, March 2, 2013
I agree, I thought Man Utd were very lucky today. Never mind they showed us respect by fielding a full strength team. Did the guy deserve a hat-trick ? Not really, he'll probably not get another one in the PL, so let him enjoy his good fortune. Only thing that matters now is beating Southampton next week ! OTBC

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Dubai Canary

Saturday, March 2, 2013
When we put 2 up front we conceded 3 goals. Why not leave it to the manager that's what he's paid for

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Konrad54

Saturday, March 2, 2013
TWO UP FRONT especially when wa have nothing to lose

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Albert Cooper

Saturday, March 2, 2013