During his 148 outings in a Manchester City shirt, Carlos Tevez struck a highly impressive 73 goals.

The Argentine could have scored even more for the Citizens, but for his well-publicised exile between September 2011 and March 2012.

Having refuted manager Roberto Mancini's accusation that he had refused to warm-up during a Champions League clash against Bayern Munich, Tevez initially went on strike and was then placed on gardening leave.

He returned to his homeland, where on a couple of occasions he was pictured playing golf, as well as appearing on a chatshow.

It was anticipated that he would be on the move during the winter window, but no deal could be reached and so his reintegration period at City began soon after.

He eventually returned to the team after six months in the wilderness and ended up playing a key role in City's Premier League triumph - a statement that is particularly relevant during the trip to Norwich City three years ago today.

Tevez had scored his first goal since his reappearance last time out against West Bromwich Albion and he wasted little time in getting off the mark at Carrow Road.

In the 18th minute, the frontman blasted a shot inside John Ruddy's near post and then nine minutes later a clever flick assisted his fellow countryman Sergio Aguero to find the net from the edge of the area.

To Norwich's credit, they didn't buckle and were able to reduce the arrears when Andrew Surman punished a mistake from City goalkeeper Joe Hart.

The Canaries remained in the game until the 73rd minute when Tevez, along with a couple of his teammates, took centre stage.

His second goal of the afternoon came after Ruddy could only parry Yaya Toure's low shot, before Aguero made it 4-1 just two minutes later with a precise curling finish.

Tevez completed his hat-trick - his third in City colours - 10 minutes from time when he rounded Ruddy to roll the ball into an unguarded net. In celebration, Tevez ran to the travelling fans before performing a golf swing, perhaps in reference to how he had spent some of his time away from the club.

There was still time left for substitute Adam Johnson to fire in a sixth goal from a Gael Clichy cross, but the afternoon belonged to Tevez, who had helped his side close the gap on leaders Manchester United to two points.

Speaking after the final whistle, victorious boss Mancini said of Tevez: "Everyone makes mistakes. He has apologised. No-one is perfect.

"The team did well without Carlos for six months. This is the first time since 1968 that City are pushing for the title.

"We have talked to Carlos and now we need to think about the present. His attitude is right and his strength is better. But he is still not 100% at the moment."

NORWICH: Ruddy; Martin, Ward, R Bennett, Drury; Johnson (Hoolahan), Pilkington (Surman), Howson, E Bennett; Holt, Wilbraham (Morison)

MAN CITY: Hart; Clichy, Lescott, Kompany, Zabaleta; Barry, De Jong, Nasri (Toure), Silva (Johnson); Tevez (Richards), Aguero