The win moves City to within two points of league leaders Arsenal, at least temporarily, ahead of the Gunners’ London derby with Fulham on Sunday.
Man City were wasteful in front of the goal for long periods
Manchester City secured a narrow victory over Crystal Palace in their latest Premier League outing, with Erling Haaland’s late penalty proving to be the difference between the two sides. The win moves City to within two points of league leaders Arsenal, at least temporarily, ahead of the Gunners’ London derby with Fulham on Sunday. Despite dominating most of the game, City were wasteful in front of goal for long periods, with Haaland himself guilty of missing several presentable opportunities. The Norwegian striker had the best chance of the game on the half-hour mark but somehow managed to miss the target from just six yards out with the goal gaping. However, just as City boss Pep Guardiola prepared to bring Kevin De Bruyne off the bench, Ilkay Gundogan was brought down in the Palace box, leaving Haaland to convert the resulting spot-kick and secure all three points for the reigning champions.
Palace have now failed to register a shot on target in three consecutive games
The win means City have put the pressure on Arsenal, who now lead the Premier League by just two points ahead of their clash with Fulham on Sunday. Meanwhile, Palace have now failed to register a shot on target in three consecutive games, a feat no other Premier League side has managed since Opta began taking data in 2003. City started the game brightly, with goalkeeper Vicente Guaita forced into a smart save just three minutes in. John Stones, making his first Premier League appearance in six weeks, headed a cross back to Rodri, whose powerful effort from inside the box was well parried by the Palace shot-stopper. Moments later, Jack Grealish beat four Palace defenders down the left before firing wide of Guaita’s near post with a low drive. Palace occasionally threatened, with Wilfried Zaha missing a good opportunity at the near post after Michael Olise’s cross.
City held on comfortably for a fourth win in five games
Haaland then had a great chance to break the deadlock on the half-hour mark, as Nathan Ake’s cross found him just six yards out. However, the striker inexplicably went underneath the ball, which flew over the bar. City continued to push forward after the break and should have taken the lead when Grealish was fouled on the edge of the area. However, Phil Foden could only hit the resulting free-kick straight at Guaita, who saved well. Foden was replaced shortly after by Julian Alvarez, who had an instant chance to score but fired over from close range. The Argentine forward then had another opportunity to break the deadlock from a distance, but Guaita was again equal to the effort.
City’s persistence eventually paid off in the 78th minute, as Olise brought Gundogan down in the Palace box, leaving Haaland to slot home the resulting penalty. The Norwegian striker could have added a second shortly after, but his header from Grealish’s cross flew over the bar. Despite their wastefulness in front of goal, City held on comfortably for a fourth win in five games. The result serves as a timely reminder that Guardiola’s side have the quality and mentality needed to mount a sustained challenge for the Premier League title this season.