Guardiola’s machine rolls on - Man City clipped Eagles’ wings and keep chasing Arsenal

Although the match between Manchester City and Crystal Palace was billed as one of the standout fixtures of this Premier League round, the 90 minutes at Selhurst Park did not deliver particularly attractive football. The game was marked by numerous fouls and physical duels, which frequently disrupted the flow of play.

Despite that, the visitors found a way to get the job done. Manchester City scored three times, Haaland scored two goals, the first in his trademark style, while the second came from the penalty spot late in the match. The other goal was scored by Foden, as the visitors secured a 3–0 victory.

The first half between Crystal Palace and Manchester City passed without major excitement in the opening stages. The initial minutes were played at a higher tempo, but neither side managed to create a clear chance, and the rhythm was soon interrupted by a brief stoppage after Josko Gvardiol suffered a blow to the head.

The first real moment of danger arrived in the 10th minute, when Crystal Palace threatened through Clyne, whose effort went just wide of the post. Palace grew in confidence and came agonizingly close to taking the lead in the 17th minute. Pino found himself one-on-one with Gianluigi Donnarumma after a precise assist from Wharton, but his finish crashed off the crossbar.

Manchester City responded midway through the half. In the 29th minute, Phil Foden tried his luck from around 25 meters, firing a direct shot toward Dean Henderson’s goal, but the Palace goalkeeper was well positioned and made a comfortable save.

Crystal Palace continued to look the more dangerous side. In the 33rd minute, Sarr broke through and went one-on-one with Donnarumma, but his shot drifted wide, with the assistant later raising the flag for offside. Four minutes later, Wharton struck a volley from the edge of the box after a clearance, sending the ball over the crossbar.

Despite limited attacking presence, Manchester City struck first. In the 41st minute, the visitors scored from virtually their first well-constructed move of the match. Matheus Nunes delivered a ball into the box, where the powerful Norwegian striker finished clinically past Henderson to make it 1–0, registering his 16th Premier League goal of the season.

Crystal Palace had one final attempt before the break. In the 44th minute, Mateta drove down the left flank and unleashed a solid effort toward goal, but it proved to be a routine save for Donnarumma as City went into halftime with a narrow lead.

Crystal Palace came out with intent after the break and were once again denied by the woodwork early in the second half. In the 49th minute, Wharton capitalized on a mistake by Nico Gonzalez, drove toward goal and fired a well-placed shot toward the near post, only to see the ball strike the post and bounce away from Gianluigi Donnarumma’s goal.

The hosts continued to apply pressure, and in the 52nd minute Pino had another promising opportunity. After a scramble inside the penalty area, he managed to get a shot away, but Donnarumma was alert and positioned well to make the save.

Manchester City gradually began to assert themselves, creating their first real chance of the half in the 57th minute. Reijnders broke down the right flank, found himself in a good shooting position and tested Dean Henderson, but the Crystal Palace goalkeeper was equal to the effort.

The decisive moment arrived in the 69th minute. Manchester City doubled their advantage through Phil Foden, who struck from around 20 meters and beat Henderson with a precise finish. The goal was the result of an excellent run and assist from Rayan Cherki, effectively sealing an important away victory for the visitors.

In the 88th minute, Manchester City were awarded a penalty after Savinho won a long ball and raced almost the full length of the pitch. As he tried to round Dean Henderson, the Crystal Palace goalkeeper brought him down, and the referee had no hesitation in pointing to the spot. Erling Haaland stepped up and calmly converted the penalty, making it 3–0 for the visitors.

PREMIER LEAGUE - ROUND 16

Saturday

Chelsea - Everton 2-0 (2-0)

/Palmer 21, Gusto 45/

Liverpool - Brighton 2-0 (1-0)

/Ekitike 1, 60/

Burnley - Fulham 2-3 (1-2)

/Ugochukwu 21, Sonne 86 - Smith Rowe 9, Bassey 31, Wilson 58/

Arsenal - Wolverhampton 2-1 (0-0)

/Johnstone 70 (og), Mosquera 90+4 (og) - Arokodare 90/

Sunday

Crystal Palace - Man. City 0-3 (0-1)

/Haaland 41, 88 pen, Foden 69/

Nott. Forest - Tottenham 3-0 (1-0)

/Hudson-Odoi 28, 50, Sangare 79/

Sunderland - Newcastle 1-0 (0-0)

/Woltemade 46 (og)/

West Ham - Aston Villa 2-3 (2-1)

/Fernandes 1, Bowen 24 - Mavropanos 9 (og), Rogers 50, 79/

19.30: (2.00) Brentford (3.60) Leeds (4.10)

Monday

23.00: (1.83) Man.Utd. (4.00) Bournemouth (4.05)

*** odds are subject to change ***