Manchester City’s Premier League title defence suffered one other blow as Crystal Palace fought again from two targets right down to rescue a 2-2 draw due to Michael Olise’s final-gasp penalty on Saturday.
Pep Guardiola’s facet have been in command after Jack Grealish put them forward within the first half and Rico Lewis doubled the lead after the break.
But the champions collapsed within the second half on the Etihad Stadium as Jean-Philippe Mateta diminished the deficit within the closing levels earlier than Olise transformed his penalty within the fifth minute of stoppage-time.
It was the fifth time in six league video games that Pep Guardiola’s males have dropped factors, having additionally drawn with Chelsea, Liverpool and Tottenham and misplaced to Aston Villa previous to final Sunday’s 2-1 win at Luton.
In what was their final match earlier than heading to Saudi Arabia for the Club World Cup, the consequence leaves them fourth within the desk, three factors behind leaders Liverpool, who host Manchester United on Sunday.
City’s bid for an unprecedented fourth successive title is at risk, though Guardiola will remind his gamers they got here from eight factors behind Arsenal to grab the crown late final season.
Once once more with out the injured Erling Haaland, City dominated the opening levels and Palace ‘keeper Dean Henderson did well to save a fifth-minute Julian Alvarez header.
City’s breakthrough got here within the twenty fourth minute when Phil Foden fed Grealish, and he slotted previous Henderson for his third purpose in as many league video games – the hassle standing after a prolonged VAR examine for offside.
Josko Gvardiol drilled into the facet-netting by way of a contact from Henderson and Foden whipped a shot broad.
Manchester City have didn’t win in three consecutive Premier League house video games for the primary time since Pep Guardiola’s first season in cost in December 2016.Liverpool, Tottenham and now Crystal Palace all depart the Etihad with a degree. pic.twitter.com/SRu5S4Or9F
— Squawka (@Squawka) December 16, 2023
City had the ball within the internet once more seven minutes of the second half when Alvarez’s free-kick on the left went in on the far put up, however the flag went up for offside in opposition to Rodri and the hassle was disallowed.
The hosts did have their second within the 54th minute as Grealish’s go ricocheted off Rodri and the ball fell to Lewis for an in depth-vary end, the 19-yr-previous’s first Premier League purpose being confirmed after a VAR overview.
City seemed to be cruising, however Palace pulled a purpose again within the 76th minute when a protracted ball discovered Jeffrey Schlupp and he equipped Mateta, who slid house to begin the nerves jangling in Guardiola’s crew.
Deep into stoppage time City followers’ fears have been realised as Foden caught Mateta within the field, referee Paul Tierney pointed to the spot, and Olise calmly dispatched the ball previous Ederson.
(This story has not been edited by News18 workers and is printed from a syndicated information company feed – AFP)
