Crystal Palace 2-4 Man City – Premier League RECAP: Pep Guardiola’s decision to drop Phil Foden pays off in thrilling victory

Well, Manchester City did what they came to do, get the three points.

After a tough start, Kevin De Bruyne pushed them back into gear as they fired four past Crystal Palace on the way to victory.

They weren’t at their best defensively, but they won’t care. It’s job done as far as Pep Guardiola is concerned.

City now sit level with Liverpool on 70 points but are two goals worse off on Goal difference.

All eyes now turn to the Amex, where Arsenal play later.

Pep Guardiola, Manchester City boss, speaking to TNT Sports:

In the first half, we made mistakes but we made a comeback and Kevin De Bruyne won the game with his actions, his assists, his goals and everything. We won the game with him.

I didn’t know that [De Bruyne] enjoyed scoring goals more than assists but I keep pushing him to say we have to win games. He has won many games for us, no doubt. It was really good for his performance.

Erling Haaland is inevitable.

The Norweigan striker struggled for a lot of the match today, but still got his goal, making it 30 for the season in all competitions.

In doing so, Haaland has now scored 30 goals in all competitions in each of his two seasons with Manchester City.

It means he is the first player to achieve that feat in his first two seasons as a Premier League player since Ruud van Nistelrooy.

Kevin De Bruyne, Manchester City goalscorer, speaking to TNT Sports:

It’s a very untypical season, after being out for six months and then coming back and sometimes I feel good sometimes I need a little bit of time for my body.

I’ve tried to prepare myself the best as possible it’s something that’s never happened in my life and you know, I just tried to do the job as good as possible and yeah, today it went really well.

I don’t know how to really assess it I think the only thing we can really do is try to play as good as possible and get as many points [as possible].

Crystal Palace are now winless in five matches, they are hitting a poor run of form at the wrong time.

They have now dropped 10 points from winning positions in their six games under Oliver Glasner.

They aren’t out of the woods yet and still have to play Liverpool at Anfield.

They need to find some wins from somewhere.

Rico Lewis, Manchester City goalscorer, speaking to TNT Sports:

It’s a very difficult place to come. The fans that travel every week, we thank them so much because it means so much. To get the win is amazing.

As a kid you dream of scoring a goal and celebrating. I want to get more goals and assists.

I don’t know but I enjoy playing midfield the most. I want to contribute but the manager decides where I’m most effective.

It’s just like every other title race. We have to win every game. There’s three teams in it and we have to be the strongest team.

Manchester City are on a roll.

Pep Guardiola’s side are unbeaten in each of their last 25 games in all competitions, winning 21 one of them, for the first time since May 2023.

They have only managed longer runs twice, in December 2017 and March 2021, when they went 28 matches unbeaten.

You’d think with a run like that they’d be clear at the top, it shows just how good the Premier League has been this season.

Jack Grealish has had his critics this season, but he did not put a foot wrong today.

In the second half, in particular, Grealish caused Crystal Palace all sorts of problems, and linked play together nicely.

The England international was pivotal in Kevin De Bruyne’s second goal, it will give him a lot of confidence.

he needs to keep playing like that if he wants to make the England squad in the summer.

The Kevin De Bruyne praise will keep rolling on after this performance, he was sensational.

His second goal wasn’t as stunning as the first, but it was still a brilliant hit.

The whole move was exceptional, just have a watch.

As we always say, in a title race of this magnitude, you can’t slip up, and Manchester City certainly didn’t here.

The three points mean they go second, level on points with Liverpool, just two behind on goal difference.

Arsenal and Liverpool are still yet to play this weekend, with the Gunners playing Brighton later today, but having the points in the bag is the important thing.

City will fight until the end.

Manchester City can always rely on their maestro in midfield, and he delivered once again today.

His brace at Selhurst Park means he has now netted 100 times for City, an impressive record for a midfielder.

Both goals were special too, he knows how to hit them, that’s for sure!

Erling Haaland isn’t happy after Crystal Palace players are trying to get him carded for a foul on Jefferson Lerma.

For whatever reason, the referee has gathered them for a group chat.

It feels like a bunch of school lads that have done something wrong and are being told off by their teacher.

Kevin De Bruyne’s afternoon is done and what a performance he has put in.

He tore Crystal Palace apart at times and took his two goals in spell-binding fashion.

Bernardo Silva replaces him.

Naouirou Ahamada forces a save from Bryan Ortega, he needed to make that.

However, City break and Kevin De Bruyne goes through, but Palace manages to get rid of it.

That’s a lot of stoppage time.

Are there any more goals coming our way?

Ooooft… that was close from Michael Olise.

The Frenchman cuts in and tries to bend one into the far corner, and it’s not far away.

City have to be careful they don’t concede another here. Complacency is creeping in.

That goal will have annoyed Pep Guardiola.

City have allowed Crystal Palace back into the game in the last few minutes, and goal difference could potentially play a part in the title race.

Guardiola was set to bring on Sergio Gomez but has told him to sit back down now.

That is a lovely goal from Crystal Palace.

Odsonne Edouard finishes cutely first-time following a sweeping move from the home side.

It won’t amount to anything, but it does hurt Manchester City’s goal difference.

A quick worry passes as Kevin De Bruyne is back on his feet after a brief period on the floor.

Crystal Palace use the time to make their final substitution as Naouirou Ahamada comes on for Will Hughes.

Odsonne Edouard should score!

Crystal Palace have barely had a sniff in this second half, but they manage to nick the ball of the City defence before Edouard has his shot blocked by the toe of Ruben Dias from close range.

The Palace striker took too long, he needed to pull the trigger quicker.

City are in the hunt for more goals and Matheus Nunes has just fired his first opportunity wide.

You can see how tired Crystal Palace are, their defence looks knackered.

City good grab another four if they want to.

Both sides are making some substitutions.

Pep Guardiola is now comfortable enough to take some of his stars off. Mateo Kovacic and Matheus Nunes have come on for Rodri and Julian Alvarez.

As I said Oliver Glasner has decided to make some changes too and it’s a return to action for Michael Olise as he comes on for Jordan Ayew.

Nathaniel Clyne and Odsonne Edouard are also on for Tyrick Mitchell and Jean-Philippe Mateta.

Crystal Palace are in danger of shipping a goal every time Manchester City come at them.

This half they have looked so shaky at the back, and Oliver Glasner has sensed that as he is about to make some changes.

I think it may be too little too late.

It starts with a lovely give-and-go between Jack Grealish and Kevin De Buryne before the former feeds Rodri who lays it off for De Bruyne to smash in brilliantly for his brace.

It’s a fantastic finish and Manchester City are running away with it.

There is his customary goal.

That should be the game now, Erling Haaland sweeps home from close range after a fine ball across from Kevin De Bruyne.

After a brief check, the goal stands. You feel there could be a few more coming in this second half.

This is a surprising change.

Eberechi Eze is coming off after 65 minutes for Jeffrey Schlupp, I wasn’t expecting that.

In all honesty, though, it’s not been Eze’s finest performance, but he is always a threat.

Rodri is in a lot of pain here, he has just been on the end of a poor challenge from Jean-Philippe Mateta.

The Crystal Palace gets a yellow card for the tackle. Thankfully for City, Rodri is OK.

Kevin De Bruyne tries to whip one into the top corner again, but this time he gets it slightly wrong.

It feels like a training match now, Man City are just applying constant pressure. They are in complete control.

Jack Gaughan, Mail Sport, at Selhurst Park:

That’s a big goal by Rico Lewis, who’s been a constant problem for Palace today.

From the resulting corner, Jack Grealish fires it miles over the bar.

The way things are going though, you feel City could make up that goal difference very quickly.

Crystal Palace can’t get forward.

What a block by Joachim Anderson!

I say what a block but Julian Alvarez has just fired it into him as he’s lying on the ground in pain, I’m sure a ball smacking into him made it much better.

It came after Erling Haaland had rounded Dean Henderson but was forced to pull it back.

Man City fans are enjoying themselves in south London.

They are rattling off the songs, and you can understand why. As it stands, City will go second in the league, only behind Liverpool on goal difference.

The Palace fans are flat.

It’s taken just two minutes for City to take the lead in the second half, and it’s a well-taken finish by young Rico Lewis.

Jack Grealish clips a ball in and after a little deflection, Lewis finishes expertly into the bottom left-hand corner.

That will ease pep Guardiola’s nerves.

An early chance for Jean-Philippe Mateta, but unlike the first-half he can’t keep it on target.

The offside flag goes up eventually. It felt like Mateta had the ball for an age.

Here we go then, we are back underway.

The wind is swirling, the atmosphere is booming, and it’s sure to be a massive 45 minutes.

It will be interesting to see if Phil Foden is called upon in this half, or if City can get the job done without him.

They have made one change already though, Manuel Akanji is on for Josko Gvardiol.

As you can see, Manchester City have been fairly dominant in that half, but have not taken their chances.

Will they rue that Haaland missed chance, or will they come back to win after the break?

It’s sure to be an exhilarating second period.

Rodri rarely gets criticised because he is normally nearly perfect in every match. He is on a 63-match unbeaten streak, that says everything.

However, this is probably his worst performance in a while.

The Spaniard has been caught on the ball in midfield and was the player at fault that caused Bryan Ortega to pull out the Cruyff turn.

I’m sure he will clear his head at half-time.

Sami Mokbel, Mail Sport, at Selhurst Park:

Thrilling game here at Selhurst Park. Both sides have missed good chances. Palace will be happier at the break but they may be left to rue their squandered opportunities here if City find a higher gear.

We have to watch this again.

We knew Kevin De Bruyne was good, but this was an exceptional goal to equalise.

There was no chance Dean Henderson was saving that, you couldn’t get it any further in the corner.

Watch, and enjoy (unless you’re an Arsenal and Liverpool fan).

There is the whistle, what a brilliant half of football.

It was a terrible start for the title-chasers, Manchester City, as Jean-Philippe Mateta fired the hosts ahead after just four minutes.

However, the Citizens hit back, and in some style, as Kevin De Bruyne bent in an absolute beauty to equalise less than 10 minutes later.

It was mostly City after that, but they couldn’t take their chances. Palace have shown they are handy on the counter and have caused City all sorts of problems.

Pep Guardiola marches down the tunnel, he doesn’t look happy.

I don’t want this half to end, but we only have three minutes left of it.

It has been a fantastic watch.

Crystal Palace fans are not happy as Jordan Ayew goes to ground in an off-the-ball tangle with Josko Gvardiol.

VAR clears it very quickly, and rightly so. Not much in that.

Wow, that is brilliant footwork from Bryan Ortega.

The City keeper has just cruff turned Jean-Philippe Mateta as he comes within inches of getting onto a back pass from Rodri.

He looked so calm there, that was outstanding. Maybe Ederson won’t get back in the side!

Another chance for City, this time it’s Rico Lewis.

He finds some space in the box before firing straight at Dean Henderson.

City need to take some of these chances, especially when you see how quickly Crystal Palace can get in and cause problems.

So close from Jordan Ayew!

Rodri makes a very rare ever and Jordan Ayew flies forward before rattling the bar with a ferocious strike.

It’s not often you see Rodri give it away, but he’s got away with it.

It’s all Manchester City.

Pep Guardiola’s side will feel they should be ahead, especially after the Erling Haaland chance. Everybody thought he would score.

They have had 80%, but are still level.

After watching what Kevin De Bruyne produced for the equaliser, Julian Alvarez tries to do something similar.

However, his effort from distance flies wide, it never looked like it was going to trouble Dean Henderson.

Just as I say that City come close.

The away side have been pinning Crystal Palace back and Rico Lewis fires a pass across the box, but no one is there to smash it home.

You feel if a City player got to that, they would be ahead.

It has calmed down slightly at Crystal Palace, the game is not being played at such a break-neck speed now.

I’ll tell you what hasn’t calmed down though, the wind, it is swirling out there.

The weather could make set-pieces very interesting viewing.

Jack Gaughan, Mail Sport, at Selhurst Park:

It’s been a surprise to see City quite this open in behind, although Palace have been excellent in turning the ball over in midfield. Does Haaland of last season miss that chance?

There is a break in play as Jack Grealish is hurt, as is Jordan Ayew.

This has been an electric game. I asked before the game which side would start the quickest, well, they both started at a frightening pace.

Both players are back up now, so back to it!

A crucial, crucial save from Dean Henderson.

Kevin De Bruyne slices Crystal Palace open with a beautiful ball to send Erling Haaland one-on-one.

You expect Haaland to make it 2-1, but Henderson rushes out to thwart him.

A brilliant pass, and a brilliant save.

That equaliser has not stopped Crystal Palace going forward.

Jordan Ayew fires a dipping effort just over the bar as Bryan Ortega was backtracking.

It was nearly a brilliant finish.

I said the Crystal Palace lead looked in danger, and there you go, what a crackerjack of a finish by Kevin De Bruyne.

The City number 17 picks up the ball and then, wow, just wow. He bends it with power into the top righthand corner from the edge of the area.

Dean Henderson had no chance, he put it right in the postage stamp.

Pep Guardiola blows him a kiss.

This already feels like a late onslaught by City, but it’s only been just over 10 minutes.

Rodri now forces a stunning save from Dean Henderson.

City are playing very well now, surely the Palace lead won’t last too long.

Vital defending from Joel Ward.

Rico Lewis slides in a stunning ball to Julian Alvarez who forces a big save from Dean Henderson from a tight angle.

It then comes off Ward and is cleared. It could have gone anyway, but luckily for Palace, it didn’t go into their own net.

Ward had to be there and he was.

Palace are causing Manchester City so many problems on the counter-attack.

They have a four on two, bu the final ball to Eberechi Eze is poor and the attack fizzles out.

City are all over the place at the back, what is going on?

Man City have responded to going behind very well.

Kevin De Bruyne plops a ball straight onto the head of Josko Gvardiol, but he can’t keep his header on target.

De Bruyne will be huge for Manchester City today if they are to get back into this.

That wasn’t in the script!

That was way too easy for Palace. They win the ball and go straight onto the front foot, Jean-Philippe Mateta is sent clean through and makes no mistake, sliding it past Bryan Ortega and in off the post.

Pep Guardiola throws his hands down in anger. A terrible start for the visitors.

Rodri is so good, isn’t he?

He manages to pick up the ball in the palace half and set City off on a quick counter attack. It looked so easy.

City win a corner but nothing comes of it.

A huge 90 minutes begins.

Let’s see which team can get off to a quicker start, if either does that is.

It could be cagey, it could be open. Let’s see!

I just found myself bobbing along to the music in the ground. It’s very good.

Selhurst Park is going to have to be rocking today, I imagine the music will turn to chants in a matter of minutes.

I can already hear the Manchester City fans letting themselves be heard.

Right, kick-off is closing in, so I think it’s time for us to make our predictions.

It’s a huge match, mainly for the top of the table, so I can see it being a tense affair.

I’m going to go with a 2-1 Manchester City win, Phil Foden to come off the bench to score the winner!

The big news for Crystal Palace today is that Michael Olise is back in a matchday squad.

Olise has only featured in 11 Premier League games this season, but has scored six times and provided three assists in those matches.

He is a special talent, but how many minutes will he get?

Anonymous: Nothing to do with City playing Real Madrid on Tuesday I suppose. When you have a good squad you can afford to rest some players, especially when 3 points are in the bag vs Palace today.

I wouldn’t speak too soon, you never know…

Marc Guehi, Crystal Palace defender, speaking to TNT Sports:

You do the work beforehand in the week, analyse their game. He [Erling Haaland] likes to run in behind, so that’s the first thing, so whenever Kevin De Bruyne or one of their top players is on the ball, he’s always on his bike. Making sure you cover the space and are always touch-tight in the box. It’s easier said than done!

They’re one of the best in the league. They’ve got big players everywhere – I don’t think people realise! Rodri, Stones, Haaland. You’re playing top teams so it’s always marginal stuff.

Most times I ask this question I get a resounding yes.

However, is this year different? City are still fighting for the treble and have a huge match with Real Madrid in the Champions League in the coming week.

So can they claw back the points to win an unprecedented fourth Premier League title in a row?

Let us know what you think!

Pep Guardiola, Manchester City manager, speaking to TNT Sports:

It was difficult [to leave Foden on the bench]. It’s always tough but we have a lot of games. Phil played against Arsenal, 96 minutes, and friendly games for the national team, and he couldn’t move. It’s a lot of games and that’s why we decided on that. If we win, great decision, if we lose, why did you do that?’

After tomorrow, we travel to Madrid. We need sometimes fresh. I would love to have Phil on the pitch. I’m not stupid! I like him. A lot of games, a lot of players, that’s why I decide for that [to leave him out].

It’s the first time [I’ve been in a three-way title race]. What are Arsenal doing here?

Don’t worry Arsenal fans, he was only joking!

Jack Gaughan, Mail Sport, at Selhurst Park:

Guardiola has done what he did midweek: mix it up. If City are going to challenge for everything they’ll need to keep players fresh.

These two teams love to play out a draw.

The sides drew 2-2 at the Etihad Stadium earlier this season which was the third time in the last five meetings between the sides that Palace have avoided defeat against City.

A draw wouldn’t be enough for City today, you’d expect.

Never predict a Pep Guardiola team.

The Spaniard loves to ruin Fantasy Premier League managers’ weeks when he picks his 11 – Phil Foden is in my team… I’m not bitter..

It is a big surprise that Phil Foden has dropped to the bench for the clash with Crystal Palace today, not many were expecting it.

Pep knows best though, there is a reason he is arguably the best manager in the world.

Pep Guardiola loves to switch things up when we least expect it, and he has done it again.

After being dropped to the nech in midweek, both Erling Haaland and Kevin DeBuryne return to the starting 11.

However, Phil Foden has been benched despite scoring a hattrick against Aston Villa on Wednesday.

Very interesting – four changes.

Just look who is back on the Crystal Palace bench.

It’s been a tough season for Michael Olise, but he is back in the Palace squad today following a hamstring problem.

Other than Olise’s return to the squad, there is no other news – Palace are unchanged.

Just look how tight it is at the top!

These three teams are going hammer and tong in the race for the Premier League title, and none of them are going anywhere.

Who thought all three would still be within three points of each other at this stage? I know I didn’t.

That’s why it’s so fantastic!

Manchester City have been without their number one keeper, Ederson ever since he hobbled off in their 1-1 draw with Liverpool at Anfield.

Well, today he could potentially return.

Pep Guardiola confirmed that the Brazil international is back in contention to start after returning to training last week.

Kyle Walker and Nathan Ake are set to be sidelined, but knowing Pep, who knows?

It will be interesting to see how City line-up.

Manchester City sitting third in the table with just eight games to go, looks a little odd.

Pep Guardiola and his side are not used to this, it feels like they are almost always in control of their own destiny.

Well, not at the moment. City have to win to keep on the coattails of Arsenal and Liverpool, whose games aren’t until tonight and tomorrow.

The pressure can sometimes feel different when you’re chasing, but I don’t think anybody doubts that City can handle that stress.

They will be in the race until the very end.

Pep Guardiola, Manchester City manager, speaking to the press on Friday:

We’re third, not far away from the top of the Premier League, but if we drop points it will be almost impossible. So we have to win that game and after that we will have more time, not for recovery, but to prepare.

I have not had much time to see Real Madrid. I said, when we have been fighting for nine or 10 months for the Premier League, why should I be distracted now from this important game against Palace, when the distance is so close?

Although it is unlikely Crystal Palace will get sucked into a relegation battle, they are far from safety as it stands.

Oliver Glasner’s side sit 14th, eight points above Luton in the relegation zone, but their form has been poor of late.

With only one league win in their last five outings, Palace are in need of three points. They will be hard to come by today though.

If the hosts do find a win today though, you can all but say they will be safe.

A lot is riding on this game.

Crystal Palace love to cause Manchester City problems, but strangely they normally do so at the Etihad.

Selhurst Park has actually been a happy hunting ground for City in recent seasons, they are unbeaten there in their last eight league visits, winning six.

That doesn’t mean today will be straightforward though, a title race fixture never is.

If City slip up in any form today, their dreams of a fourth successive title will start to become more distant.

They might just put on a masterclass now that I said that.

It feels like Christmas, counting down the days, or in this case games.

This year’s title race certainly feels like a gift and Manchester City will be hoping they can wrap up three points today to take them level with Liverpool at the top of the Premier League.

Pep Guardiola knows himself that it won’t be easy though, Crystal palace have caused them more than a few problems during his tenure.

It’s another whopper of a day, and it starts in south London. Can Palace inflict major damage to City’s title hopes, or will Guardiola’s side close the gap at the top?

Let’s find out, shall we?