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An 18-match winning streak came to a dramatic halt for Manchester City, as they were brought down to earth during an away contest to Crystal Palace.
A feat the likes of Chelsea, Manchester United, Arsenal, Liverpool, and Tottenham couldn’t achieve this season (save for Everton who earlier in the season held Man City to a draw as well), saw a modest Crystal Palace frustrate the supposed Champion’s elect.
Crystal Palace could even afford to miss a late penalty in a game that witnessed so many talking points; as they missed out on the chance to become the first team in the league to beat Manchester City this season when they had an injury-time penalty saved.
Match Information:
Venue: Selhurst Park, London
Attendance: 25804
Referee: Jon Moss (England)
Scoreline: Crystal Palace 0 - 0 Manchester City
Line-Up:
**Crystal Palace**: Palace XI: Hennessey, van Aanholt, Tomkins, Dann, Riedewald, Fosu-Mensah, Milivojevic, Cabaye, Zaha, Townsend, Benteke
**Manchester City**: Ederson, Walker, Mangala, Otamendi, Danilo, Fernandinho, De Bruyne, Gundogan, B. Silva, Sane, Jesus
Manchester City wonder-kid, Gabriel Jesus sustained an injury after just 23 minutes and left the field in tears as part of a frustrating day for Manchester City and manager Pep Guardiola, who had hoped to build on his team’s superb form this season in the league.
The injury-time penalty which was saved meant Manchester City are yet to lose in the league this season, but their 18-game Premier League winning run came to an end via the goalless draw at Crystal Palace.
Despite the draw, which showcased a disappointing display by Pep Guardiola’s men, Man City still managed to extend their lead at the top of the Premier League table to 14 points. The 14 point haul between first-placed Man City and second-placed Chelsea is the biggest ever point gap recorded in the history of the top-flight league and this stage of the season.
For the home side Crystal Palace, it proved a sour taste for them, as they held on to the game and withstood all attempts by City to break them down, only to be denied by City goalkeeper, Ederson, who saved Luka Milivojevic’s spot-kick in the 92nd minutes after substitute Raheem Sterling had fouled Wilfried Zaha in the box.
With two-points dropped for Manchester City, they could have a costly injury on their hands as Gabriel Jesus left the field injured in the first half, and Kevin de Bruyne, the Premier League’s top play/assist maker was stretchered off following a tackle in the final minute from Jason Puncheon. Manchester City are now left with Sergio Aguero as the only fit senior striker following Gabriel Jesus’ injury.
Even though the gap between them and the Premier League chasing pack seems huge at the moment, a lot could happen in the next couple of weeks, given serious injuries to key players, which could see the title race blown up wide open if they struggle in their next couple of games.
The title race was seemingly over and in City’s hands prior to the game against Crystal Palace, but with Gabriel Jesus out and Kevin de Bruyne looking likely to join him on the doctor’s table, the season might take a different turn for Manchester City, who appeared as Champions’ elect before the turn of the year.
Will Gabriel Jesus and Kevin de Bruyne's absence for Manchester City ahead of a January frenetic league schedule affect Manchester City's title chances? Kindly drop your thoughts below.
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