Manchester City v Norwich City 1991/92

City Coton, Brightwell, Pointon, Reid, Curle, Redmond, White, Heath, Quinn, McMahon, Hughes. Subs Megson(71), Sheron(unused)

Norwich Gunn, Phillips, Bowen, Sutton, Blades, Goss, Ullathorne, Fleck, Newman, Sherwood, Beckford – subs Polston(52), Fox(75)

DAVID WHITE IS CONGRATULATED ON HIS WINNING GOAL

FROM THE PRESS BOX

BRYAN BRETT WRITING IN THE MANCHESTER EVENING NEWS 27TH DECEMBER 1991
It’s the nearest thing to a White Christmas that Manchester City fans will enjoy.
A cracker from Niall Quinn and a winner from the lad himself, David White. They were enough to lift City back into fourth place and above Liverpool, news that brought an even wilder smile to the face of new boy Steve McMahon.
The £900,000 capture from Anfield, announced his arrival at Maine Road with a 70-minute spell that brought a fresh competitive edge and economy of distribution to City’s engine room.

The roar of appreciation that saluted his enforced exit because of a hamstring niggle, suggested McMahon had done enough to thaw the ice-cool stance some hard-to-please supporters had taken before he had even kicked a ball in City’s cause.
The Blues had to chase the game from the moment they allowed dangerous Rob Newman air space to head Norwich in front from a corner. That was after Quinn had just failed to tuck away a first-minute chance!
McMahon announced his arrival after eight minutes. A flying tackle won him possession that was never on and he proceeded to run midfield with an enthusiastic display that was never hampered by his recent knee injury.
“I got one knock on it and another on a thigh, But those are routine, the sort of things you expect, and they never troubled me,” he said.
Quinn and White were City’s best hopes of piercing an organised Norwich side that is shaped towards frustrating the opposition. And when Adrian Heath and Michael Hughes grew in confidence and contribution, City’s attacking balance was impressive.
Heath’s surge forward seemed to be over as he ran into a tackle, but the ball broke free for White to give the move new impetus. His centre was perfection and Quinn pulled away from his marker to put a header away with deceptive ease.

“I only had to get my head on to it as David’s cross was so good.” Was Quinn’s modest description of his ninth goal of the season.
Quinn lobbed an Ian Brightwell pass over stranded Bryan Gunn, But just wide.
… Then white snatched what turned out to be the winner, steering in Heath’s off-target shot and following a typical dart by the exciting Hughes.
That made it six goals in five games for White and 12 for the season.
Once ahead, City were in no danger until Tony Coton was suddenly seriously tested in the closing minutes. He twice made flying saves to defy Robert Fleck and City held out to record their first League win for seven weeks.
It wasn’t a game for the purist, but there was no doubting City’s all-round commitment and that earned their first home win since October 26. Norwich departed glad to have seen the back of Maine Road, where they have won only one League game, and that was back in 1984!
For City fans, there was enough in the continued wing flair of Hughes to enthuse over.
One run past three bewildered Norwich defenders brought sustained applause for the young Irish lads, Rich Talent…