Chris Bevan
BBC Sport at Etihad Stadium

Manchester City were already 4-0 up at this stage when Norwich last came to Etihad Stadium almost exactly two years ago, on 2 November 2013.

Things have not been anything like as straightforward this time around.

Fans hold a minute's applause in the 35th minute for Man City supporter Chris Shaw, who died aged 35 last week from cancer.

Chris Bevan
BBC Sport at Etihad Stadium

Norwich boss Alex Neil has been patrolling the edge of his technical area, arms folded and barking non-stop instructions, since the game started.

He seems to be staying pretty cool apart from two occasions - the first when Sebastien Bassong charged out of defence with the ball but gave it away tamely after making it to the edge of the home area - the other was when his side needlessly gave away a corner.

On both occasions he turned to his bench, threw his hands in the air and - very loudly - made his feelings clear. I would hate to see his reaction if the Canaries make a mistake that leads to a goal.

Image source, Reuters

It's hit well by Yaya Toure and then saved equally well by John Ruddy, tipping behind and stopping it from going into his top-right corner.

Awkward one for referee Robert Madley, who initially gives Man City an advantage for a foul on Kevin De Bruyne, but pulls it back moments later. Free-kick in a good position though.

Chris Bevan
BBC Sport at Etihad Stadium

There is a noisy pocket of yellow and green behind John Ruddy's goal at Etihad Stadium, with a great view of how the Canaries are lined up to keep Manchester City out.

The visitors' 5-4-1 formation has been ultra-organised so far and the home players always have another defender to beat even if they get past their man - and their supporters are cheering every tackle, not to mention when they threaten at the other end.

And then Norwich go straight up the other end and come so close. Cameron Jerome lays it off for Matt Jarvis and Joe Hart acrobatically denies him.

Yaya Toure earns a corner which Kevin De Bruyne takes. There's not a blue shirt anywhere near it. But Man City build again and De Bruyne tees up Wilfried Bony, who rifles wide. He's getting closer mind...

Image source, Reuters

Man City are working it really nicely in that area between the Norwich midfield and defence - they're just struggling with that bit where you need to get into the penalty area.

Martin Olsson has caught Bacary Sagna with an outstretched leg, but it's the Norwich man who's come off worse. He looks OK though.

Wilfried Bony has made a right pig's ear of this. Youngster Kelechi Iheanacho feeds him in the area, but from 12 yards out Bony slaps it well wide. Best chance so far at a slightly sedate Etihad.

Image source, Reuters

Aleksandar Kolarov takes the corner. Nicolas Otamendi gets a head on it from round about the penalty spot - but it's straight at John Ruddy.

It's all a bit pipe and slippers out there at the moment. Very pedestrian. Man City are prodding away. A harmless looking cross from Jesus Navas is put behind by Norwich's Robbie Brady when there was no need to.

Chris Bevan
BBC Sport at Etihad Stadium

The grey sky is looking ominous above Etihad Stadium and, if you are a Canaries fan, so is City's early possession. Norwich are getting all their men behind the ball, no matter where it is, and I think that is the pattern set for this afternoon already.

Teenage Manchester City striker Kelechi Iheanacho got the loudest cheer when the teams were read out earlier, and it is fair to say their fans are looking for a repeat of his full home debut against Crystal Palace in the Capital One Cup in midweek when he scored one and made two more goals.

Iheanacho is ostensibly a number 10 today in his first Premier League start, behind Wilfried Bony, but the 19-year-old Nigerian has been the one sprinting on to balls behind the Norwich defence in the opening minutes.

Image source, Reuters

Despite barely seeing the ball, Norwich have crafted a couple of decent chances from the set-piece. Matt Jarvis's corner finds Alex Tettey in loads of space - but his half-volley is blocked. Jarvis swings it back in and Joe Hart has a flap, but Seb Bassong can't connect at the back post.

A decent little bit of possession for Norwich now earns them a corner, as Martin Olsson's cross is nodded behind.

First go at goal and it's from Man City. Wilfried Bony cuts in from the right outside the area and John Ruddy has to parry low down to his left.

Only nine minutes gone, but this gives you an idea of what's to come this afternoon.

Image source, Opta

Norwich are in a bit of a flap as Kelechi Iheanacho is almost on to a tame looking through ball, but it just eludes him. And then Sebastien Bassong has his own keeper John Ruddy working to pluck a spooned clearance out of the air. That was a rare touch for the visitors.

Image source, Getty Images

Aleksandar Kolarov swings in a left-sided free-kick, which Norwich deal with. Robbie Brady, traditionally a left winger, is lining up in a right wing-back position for the Canaries. Is there a sense of trying anything to get a result from Alex Neil?