A much-changed Manchester City kept themselves in contention for the Premier League title for at least another week with a confident 3-0 win over underperforming Crystal Palace.
Pep Guardiola’s side trail Arsenal by two points and will be unable to catch their rivals if Mikel Arteta’s side remain perfect between now and May 24. City relinquished that privilege after being held to a draw with Everton last week.
However, if Arsenal play at home to Burnley or away to Crystal Palace on the final day, City will have an opportunity to attack. There is no precedent for that scenario. No team in the history of the top division has managed to overcome a five-point deficit by May to win the title.
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Antoine Semenyo opened the scoring with a delightful finish from Phil Foden’s backheel assist in Manchester City’s Premier League win over Crystal Palace.
But City’s last two games – both 3-0 wins – suggest they believe it is possible. Guardiola’s full-time fist-pump gave the impression he was yet to concede. Even the lesser-known Phil Foden had his pair of assists in the first half to put the hosts into a lead they never looked back on.
The opening was special. Foden’s moment of instinctive genius was similar to what City produced in a vintage season when they last won the title in 2023/24. His clever move found Antoine Semenyo on the move and the forward finished first time into the bottom corner.
Omar Marmoush was the second recipient, latching on to a cross that Foden had thrown his way, spinning and cleverly beating Dean Henderson.
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Mamoosh doubled Manchester City’s lead to keep the pressure on league leaders Arsenal.
Both coaches made changes in the second half to save their legs ahead of the major final. City will play Chelsea in the FA Cup in three days’ time, while Palace will compete in the Conference League final later this month.
Neither wanted to try too hard in a second half that was more of a formality than a football match. That was until Rayan Cherki added a second-half third with a beautiful pass to Savinho.
Guardiola has never gone consecutive seasons without winning a league title in his country. He and his players are putting all their energy into making sure the record lasts.
Glasner: We didn’t stick to the game plan.
Crystal Palace president Oliver Glasner:
“We have to accept that Manchester City are too good for us. We need to perform at our best at the Etihad and today we couldn’t deliver. In some areas we were good, in others we weren’t. We weren’t at our best and that’s why we lost.
“We moved the ball too slowly while in possession. We didn’t stick to the plan. We were too slow in preparation. We lost the ball too easily. The players today couldn’t deliver what we wanted. Then you look at their quality and it’s unpredictable.
“We had to manage the clock. It had nothing to do with fatigue. We need to do better going into City to get more than a point.”
