Manchester City was held by the hosts’ Crystal Palace after 90 minutes of gruelling footballing action. Palace played some of their best football of the season as they took the lead against City. The defending champions equalised soon. The cycle repeated again in the second half, but there was no late drama in the game after City were reduced to 10 men. Manchester City now lose further ground in the title race as they fail to string two wins together.
Will Hughes enjoyed one of his finest halves for Crystal Palace as he slipped Munoz for Palace’s opener. The Colombian finished with aplomb to give Palace the lead. Hughes almost slipped in one more ball behind to catch City out. Just minutes later, Lerma shot one straight into a diving Dias to miss a great opportunity. These chances not taken hurt the hosts as Haaland sent a looping past Henderson in a no man’s land. Palace needed something more to beat Pep’s team at their home.
Hughes stepped up again with an impressive corner that was turned home by Lacroix for his first Crystal Palace goal. The joy would not last long as Rico Lewis scored his third Premier League goal to finish a superb team goal. Interestingly, all three of Lewis’ goals came against the hosts tonight. Lewis then was sent off unfortunately for a silly foul a bit harshly by the referees.
It set up for a grandstand finish as Palace looked to take the lead for a third time against a 10-men City. Despite a flurry of corners, the hosts weren’t able to take advantage and would be happy with a point out of this tough fixture.
Crystal Palace Player Ratings vs Manchester City
Goalkeeper
Dean Henderson: 6/10- Caught in no man’s land for Haaland’s equaliser presenting him an unguarded net. Made a fine save to keep Savinho out in the second half.
Defenders
Trevoh Chalobah: 7/10- Found life hard with Nunes. Needed a lot of help from Munoz to defend his side. Impressed later on in the game when it came to box defending.
Maxence Lacroix: 8/10- Rose the highest to meet Hughes’ corner to score his first goal for his new club. Quickly emerging into a leader of defence for the Eagles.
Marc Geuhi: 6/10- Was a complete mismatch for Haaland as the Norwegian overpowered him with ease. Tried his to best to play out from the back.
Midfielders
Daniel Munoz: 7.5/10- The Colombian wing-back was putting up and down shifts on the right-flank. The goal has been a testament to his brilliance on the ball. Was quick to double up on Nunes on the wing.
Will Hughes: 8.5/10- Slipped in a cute ball in behind for Munoz to sweep it home. Enjoying quite a lot of freedom with the ball in the first half. Excellent corner to set up Lacroix.
Jefferson Lerma: 7/10- Involved in some neat linkup play with Eze at times. Should’ve made it 2-0 when he had the chance. Should have kept the midfield tighter in the build-up to City’s 2nd goal.
Tyrick Mitchell: 7/10- Some nice crunchy tackles on Savinho in the first half. Was trying to be an out ball to get Palace away on the left.
Attackers
Ismaila Sarr: 6/10 – Once again the most anonymous of the front three. Unable to provide a helping hand to Munoz.
Jean-Phillipe Mateta: 7/10- The French forward is as solid as ever with excellent hold-up play. Spent a couple of minutes on the floor reeling after a seemingly innocent collision with Ortega.
Eberechi Eze: 6.5/10- He was a handful to Kyle Walker throughout the game asking endless questions. Did not enjoy the greatest of second halves and was substituted duly.
Substitutes
Justin Devenny: 6.5/10
Eddie Nketiah: 6/10
Manager
Oliver Glasner: 7/10- Got his tactics absolutely right to earn a point against City. Gave Hughes the keys to dictate the game and the tactic absolutely paid off. When they had the chance to take the win, Glasner was happy to just play for a draw.
Manchester City Player Ratings vs Crystal Palace
Goalkeeper
Stefan Ortega: 5/10- Beaten by Munoz way too easily, the goalkeeper did better to deny him the second time.Stood no chance for Lacroix’s bullet header from close range.
Defenders
Kyle Walker: 6/10- Played Munoz onside as he was sloppy to maintain the line. Walker fought a losing battle against Eze. His lack of concentration was exposed as Lacroix outfoxed him easily.
Ruben Dias: 7/10- Threw himself to block some goal-bound shots from Lerma and Eze.
Josko Gvardiol: 7/10- A calmer presence in defence often looking to overlap and attack down the left. Caught out by Sarr once or twice. Did well to be disciplined throughout the game.
Midfielders
Ilkay Gundogan: 7/10- Better screening of the defence today and had an eye for a goal too.
Rico Lewis: 6.5/10- Outmuscled by Munoz constantly. Found his joy on the ball. Finished a fine move to draw City level for a second time. Very unfortunate to see a second yellow for a simple tackle.
Savinho: 6/10- Not enough output at all to be Manchester City’s starting winger. Had a golden chance in the first half and he curled it wide.
Bernardo Silva: 6.5/10- Not at his usual best this season. It showed on the evening as he was sloppy on the ball. Delivered a killer pass nevertheless to Luis as City scored their second.
Kevin de Bruyne: 7/10: Taking over the creator-in-chief responsibilities for the Blues, de Bruyne is getting to his best slowly.
Matheus Nunes: 7.5/10 – Revitalised on the left wing, supplied a wonderful cross for the equaliser. Happy to drop centrally and help with the build-up too.
Attackers
Erling Haaland: 7/10- The goal machine spurned one opportunity but soon made up with another excellent header to equalise.
Substitutes
Jeremy Doku: 7/10
Jack Grealish: N/A
Manager
Pep Guardiola: 5/10- Failed to capitalise on the midweek result versus Nottingham. Despite naming a strong lineup, City suffered from the same defensive lapses. Slow to react and too weak while defending corners, they were punished twice. Pep just wouldn’t turn to his bench soon when the players on the pitch weren’t getting the result in his favour. The title is now fast slipping away from his grasp.
Q. What was the score between Crystal Palace and Manchester City?
A. Crystal Palace shared the spoils with Manchester City after a 2-2 draw.
Q. Who was the best player on the pitch in Crystal Palace vs Manchester City?
A. Will Hughes was the best player on the pitch in Crystal Palace vs Manchester City.
Q. Who was the worst player on the pitch in Crystal Palace vs Manchester City?
A. Kyle Walker was the worst player on the pitch in Crystal Palace vs Manchester City.
Q. Who was sent off in Crystal Palace vs Manchester City?
A. Manchester City’s Rico Lewis was sent off after a second yellow card in the second half.