Soccer: Tevez hat-trick piles pressure on United

Manchester City's Carlos Tevez celebrates after scoring their third goal against Norwich City during their English Premier League match at Carrow Road. Photo / AP

Carlos Tevez hit a hat-trick as Manchester City crushed Norwich 6-1 at Carrow Road today to pile the pressure on Premier League leaders Manchester United.

Roberto Mancini's side moved within two points of title rivals United thanks to a treble from Argentina forward Tevez, two goals from Sergio Aguero and an Adam Johnson strike.

United now need to beat Aston Villa at Old Trafford tomorrow to re-establish their five-point advantage at the top.

After City's defeat at Arsenal last weekend, it was widely expected that United would cruise to their 20th English league crown, but the champions' midweek stumble at Wigan and back-to-back wins featuring 10 goals for Mancini's men has breathed new life into the title race.

Mancini tried to keep the pressure on United when asked if the title was back in City's sights. "It's finished," he said.

He did admit that Tevez's absence for five months following the striker's touchline row with the City boss at Bayern Munich could be crucial.

"I think we did well without Carlos for four or five months, but I'm sure if we had Carlos with Sergio Aguero, Edin Dzeko and Mario Balotelli we would have scored more goals," Mancini added.

Norwich were swept aside before half-time as Tevez opened the scoring with a swerving shot from long-range that deceived goalkeeper John Ruddy in the 18th minute.

Tevez was instrumental in the second goal nine minutes later. Aguero played a pass into Tevez and the Argentine's deft back-heel allowed his compatriot to fire home from the edge of the area for his 27th goal of the season.

Norwich midfielder Andrew Surman reduced the deficit in the 51st minute, but Tevez poked home in the 73rd minute and Aguero netted a brilliant solo effort two minutes later.

Tevez completed his treble in the 80th minute and Johnson clinched City's first away league win since February with a stoppage-time effort.

Elsewhere, bottom club Wolves earned a creditable 0-0 draw at Sunderland, but Terry Connor's side still look destined for relegation.

With only four games to play, Wolves are eight points from safety despite ending a woeful run of seven successive defeats.

Connor said: "We thoroughly deserved the point and possibly should have nicked it.

"We've been building towards that type of performance. We'll keep going right until the end."

Blackburn remain second bottom of the table and sit three points from safety after a 3-0 defeat at Swansea.

Steve Kean's side fell behind in the 37th minute when on-loan Hoffenheim midfielder Gylfi Sigurdsson struck with a swerving shot.

Nathan Dyer curled in an impressive second six minutes later and Rovers defender Scott Dann deflected Sigurdsson's shot into his own net in the 63rd minute.

To make matters worse for Kean, Rovers were hit by injuries to Ayegbeni Yakubu, Grant Hanley and David Hoilett.

"I think Grant's is serious, he couldn't come back on and there's heavy swelling," Kean said.

"We had to bring Yakubu off as a precaution but hopefully he'll be ready for the next game."

QPR's survival hopes suffered a setback as Mark Hughes' side were beaten 1-0 at West Bromwich Albion.

The west Londoners thrashed Swansea in midweek but a superb 22nd minute goal from Scottish midfielder Graham Dorrans at the Hawthorns left them just two points above the drop zone.

-AAP