Tevez hat-trick inspires City

Carlos Tevez scored a stunning hat-trick as Manchester City turned the heat up on league leaders Manchester United with a 6-1 thumping of Norwich at Carrow Road.

Starting successive Barclays Premier League games for the first time in 11 months, Tevez blasted home a 20-yard swirling shot to open the scoring before he backheeled to Sergio Aguero, who made it 2-0 with a venomous volley.

Andrew Surman pulled one back just after the break to give the Canaries hope, but a Tevez second-half double, a late strike from Adam Johnson and a majestic curler from Aguero gave City a hugely impressive victory.

After an entertaining opening spell it seemed inevitable an opener would come and it did in the 18th minute. Elliott Ward's short pass allowed David Silva to find Tevez via Aguero and the former Manchester United man unleashed a 25-yard swerving shot that beat John Ruddy at his near post.

Nine minutes later it was 2-0. Tevez and Aguero exchanged passes twice, the second of which was a clever backheel, and Aguero volleyed home from 20 yards.

Substitute Surman reduced the arrears early in the second half, collecting the ball from Joe Hart's punch before rifling in a 20-yard screamer.

Norwich's resistance was broken again in the 73rd minute thanks to Tevez's second. Ruddy blocked Yaya Toure's powerful drive, the ball flew up in the air, and Tevez beat his marker to nod home.

Less than 90 seconds later City were 4-1 up. This time Aguero struck from outside the box.

Tevez completed his treble with 10 minutes to go, beating the offside trap, rounding Ruddy and rolling in.

Aguero found Gael Clichy at the back post three minutes into stoppage time, he squared to Johnson and he made no mistake from six yards to complete the pummelling.