By Bob Bensch
Manchester City's title hopes have taken a hit with a goalless draw at Norwich that left them nine points behind Premier League leaders Leicester.
City dominated possession but managed just three shots on target against the relegation-threatened Canaries.
"It was a disappointing performance," City goalkeeper Joe Hart said.
"You have to give credit to Norwich for how they defended.
"We weren't good enough to win the game.
"We needed more invention, more brilliance and that wasn't available."
Norwich came closest to scoring with Patrick Bamford hitting the crossbar from 25 metres out.
City have now won just two of their last 11 away in the league.
"Every time that you drop points it is harder but you must continue thinking in a positive way," manager Manuel Pellegrini said.
"We must always try to win the title while we mathematically can."
Norwich are winless in 10 league games but did gain a crucial point in their survival fight with only goal difference keeping them in the bottom three behind Sunderland.
"It could be huge for us," Norwich's Russell Martin said.
"Any points are valuable this time of the season.
"It was just a real team effort and today we thoroughly warranted a point."
Graziano Pelle ended a 12-game scoring drought with a brace as Southampton beat Stoke 2-1 to jump up two spots to seventh.
Marko Arnautovic pulled a goal back for Stoke but Southampton held on after having Sadio Mane sent off in injury time.
Steve Cook's header gave Bournemouth a 3-2 win over Swansea.
Max Gradel and Joshua King also scored as Bournemouth won their third straight to move 13 points clear of the drop zone.
Modou Barrow and Gylfi Sigurdsson netted the Swansea goals.
Second-place Tottenham visit bottom side Aston Villa in tomorrow's lone match with several other sides in FA Cup action over the weekend.
DPA