Norwich need more than good luck to beat Man City, Dean Smith admits

Norwich host Man City on Saturday

Dean Smith hopes Norwich’s luck might just be turning in their battle for Premier League survival – but he knows they will need more than another slice of good fortune to get a result against leaders Manchester City.

The Canaries extended their unbeaten league run to three games following a 1-1 draw with Crystal Palace on Wednesday night at Carrow Road, where Teemu Pukki had fired them in front after only 39 seconds.

Having seen a Jean-Philippe Mateta goal ruled out for offside, confirmed by a VAR review, Wilfried Zaha eventually hauled Palace level with a fine strike – only to then horribly scuff a penalty which could have seen his side go on to claim all three points.

Smith hopes Norwich can make the most of the rub of the green and take momentum into their clash with Pep Guardiola’s star-studded team, who sit nine clear at the top of the table.

“Results can be made and given on marginal things that happen in a game. You need that little bit of luck at times,” said Smith.

“I keep saying to the players, ‘be in control of your own performance, because that is the only thing which you can go and control’. If you go and do that, then you give yourselves the best chance of getting the result.”

Smith added: “Having just got a few results, that is starting to give them belief and confidence, we look a really good unit at the moment.

“We were really well organised, restrict the opposition whoever it is and hopefully we can do more of the same on Saturday.”

However Smith knows a daunting task lies ahead.

“I am not going to anger Pep again by suggesting they are the best team in the world, but they are certainly up there,” he said.

“They are a very good team, littered with stars all over the