Palace 0 Manchester City 2 : City Are Back
By David Crook
Manchester City put recent woes behind them by beating Crystal Palace away from home by 2-0.
It goes without saying that Manchester City Manager, Pep Guardiola, is a genius. Today he sprang some real surprises in the Manchester City line up, making 4 changes from the side which lost to Wolves.
The fact that most of these changes were a result of injury – Nicolas Otamendi was unfit after sustaining a back injury playing for Argentina and Kyle Walker is still apparently ill, is not relevant. Because it takes a certain kind of bravery to play without any centre backs.
I have longed to see Rodri and Fernandinho deployed together, like the sorceror of the dark arts and his apprentice, but I never expected it to happen in defence.
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Today City looked back to some of their best form against a strong Palace side. With Kevin De Bruyne marshalling the troops we looked to be in the mood from the kick off.
The fact it took 39 minutes to march into a lead was the only real surprise. City probed and jostled and it was Gabriel Jesus who scored from a well placed header following some good work by Bernardo.
Just 2 minutes later and City added another and in effect the game was all but over. This time it was an assist from Raheem Sterling which was smashed home by David Silva.
The second half saw City continue to probe for another chance but it would not come. Wayne Hennessey in the Palace goal kept City at bay with a string of good saves. It was as though all that trying to ‘signal for attention of the waiter’ had paid off, as he seemed to be saluting the air at just the right moment every time.
Somehow City were denied a penalty when Zaha bundled over De Bruyne. It even went to VAR but we all knew at that point it would never be given in our favour. However, if the foul had been the other way I am sure there would be a different story.
By about 70 minutes some of the City intensity dipped away and a few sloppy touches gave Palace some renewed hope. But luckily Ederson was more than a match for whatever Palace could throw and he pulled off 2 world class saves to preserve the clean sheet.
Next. 3 Takeaways From City Beating Palace. dark
Make no mistake, this was an excellent performance by City compared to their previous outing. If we are able to build upon this even further then normal service will be well and truly resumed.