Shaun Goater did everything but score in Manchester City's 3-1 victory over promotion rivals Norwich yesterday.

The victory maintains City's three-point lead over Burnley at the top of the First Division. It came in the face of adversity, Danny Tiatto being sent off after just 11 minutes following a touchline altercation.

Eyal Berkovic put the Blues 1-0 up, drilling home two minutes before the break after Goater squared the ball. However, the teams were level a minute later when David Nielsen headed in from a corner.

Just after the hour, City regained control of the game when Goater was brought down in the box by Robert Green in the Norwich goal. Paulo Wanchope confidently converted from the spot for his 11th goal of the season. City then sealed the points with a brilliant individual goal from Berkovic. Latching on to a quick throw out from Carlo Nash, the Israeli playmaker ran the length of the pitch and cut in past four Norwich defenders before chipping the ball coolly past the 'keeper.

Meanwhile, Kyle Lightbourne may have had a losing return to action with Macclesfield on Saturday but manager Dave Moss was pleased with Bermudian's contribution.

The Silkmen lost 1-0 at home to Rochdale in the Third Division on Lightbourne's return from a niggling ankle injury. Moss said: "Lightbourne had an excellent chance in the second half when he missed but he got 90 minutes under his belt and and he is a real presence up front."