Clinical finishing proves the difference as City cut Arsenal’s lead to two points at Selhurst Park.
Manchester City closed the gap on Premier League leaders Arsenal to just two points with a commanding 3-0 victory over Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park on Saturday, powered by goals from the in-form duo of Erling Haaland and Phil Foden.
In a match where Palace created several promising chances early on, it was City’s ruthlessness that decided the contest. Pep Guardiola’s side secured a fourth consecutive league win thanks to two sharp finishes from open play and a late Haaland penalty, while a wasteful Palace were left to rue missed opportunities.
“In the end, the difference was the finishing,” one Palace supporter lamented after the match. The home side had started brightly, with Yeremy Pino hitting the crossbar and Daichi Kamada breaking through midfield to set up dangerous attacks.
City grew into the game and broke the deadlock just before halftime. Matheus Nunes delivered a deep cross from the right, and Haaland rose high to thump a powerful header down and past goalkeeper Dean Henderson.
Palace continued to press after the break and were inches away from an equalizer when Adam Wharton’s low drive struck the base of the post. But City sealed the points in the 69th minute when a surging run from Tijjani Reijnders set up Foden, who calmly curled a low shot into the bottom corner.
A late breakaway resulted in Haaland being brought down by Henderson, and the Norwegian stepped up to convert the penalty and complete the scoring. The final margin felt harsh on a spirited Palace side, but for City, it was a professional performance that keeps them firmly in the title race.
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