Manchester City led Crystal Palace 2-0 and they were cruising after total domination but then Pep Guardiola’s side imploded to draw as they dropped points for a fifth time in their last six Premier League games.
This game almost got to easy for City as their heads appeared to be at the Club World Cup in the second half and it cost them dear.
Jack Grealish and Rico Lewis put City in a commanding position against but the Eagles struck twice late on to grab an unlikely point.
First, Jean-Philippe Mateta prodded home to make it 1-1, then he won a penalty kick in the 93rd minute as Phil Foden swung his leg to clear the ball but kicked Mateta’s shin. Michael Olise then scored the penalty kick to seal a hugely unlikely point for Palace.
The point moves City on to 34 for the season as they now head to the Club World Cup in Saudi Arabia with a sour taste in their mouth. Palace have 17 points.
Late Man City capitulations point to boredom; Guardiola - ‘We gave away two points”
Manchester City have dropped points in five of their last six Premier League games and they keep on dropping points late in games. Why? Well, quite simply they look very bored because they’ve dominated most of those games for so long. Against Crystal Palace they were 2-0 up, cruising, could have scored five or six but then as soon as Palace scored in the 76th minute everything changed. Just like their recent draws against Liverpool, Chelsea and Tottenham, Man City were dominant for large spells of those games and looked like they had done more than enough to win it. But there is a lack of focus, concentration and cutting edge creeping in during the final stages of games which keeps coming back to haunt the treble winners. Pep Guardiola will hate that. City dropped two points against Palace in a very similar way to how they coughed up points against Liverpool and Spurs at home and if they want to win the Premier League for a fourth-straight season, they cannot afford many more mental lapses like this one. The fact City were flying out to Saudi Arabia for the Club World Cup after this game seemed to be on the minds of the players as they were coasting and they were caught out. Again. You can’t switch off against any team in the Premier League and City known that better than anyone given their domination over the last few years. But they’re still doing it this season and they’re being lulled into believing games are done and dusted. But they’ve only had four wins by three or more goals this season and we’re nearly halfway through the campaign. City aren’t blowing teams away and punishing them when they’re on top and their all-important ruthless streak is missing. That, coupled with making mistakes due to being so caught off guard after dominating games, is the reason why City are coughing up so many points.
Manchester City vs Crystal Palace player ratings
Via our friends at FotMob.com, you can see that Olise had a heck of a game as he went close with a free kick in the first half, scored a penalty to grab a point and he tried to be calm on the ball on the rare occasions Palace kept it. City’s goalscorers Rico Lewis and Jack Grealish were excellent.
What’s next?
City fly to Saudi Arabia on Saturday and will play Urawa Reds on Tuesday, Dec. 19 in the Club World Cup semifinal as they are next in Premier League action at Everton on Dec. 27. Palace host Brighton on Thursday, Dec. 21 in a huge derby game at Selhurst Park.
How to watch Manchester City vs Crystal Palace live, stream link and start time
Kick off: 10am ET Saturday (Dec. 16)
TV Channel: USA Network
Online: Watch live online via NBC.com
Manchester City vs Crystal Palace live updates! - By Joe Prince-Wright
Full time: Manchester City 2-2 Crystal Palace
Pep Guardiola and Man City looked absolutely stunned. They had that win sewn up but totally chucked it away.
Michael Olise slots home the penalty kick to send the away fans wild - Manchester City 2-2 Crystal Palace (94th minute)
Michael Olise is as cool as a cucumber as he slots the ball home and sends Ederson the wrong way. How has this happened!?
Penalty kick to Crystal Palace in the 93rd minute! Incredible drama
Absolutely unbelievable turnaround here. Palace have a penalty as Foden committed the foul.
Oh, wow, maybe we have a game! Palace pull one back - Manchester City 2-1 Crystal Palace, Jean-Phillipe Mateta (76th minute)
Jeffrey Schlupp whipped in a cross and Mateta was on hand to prod home. Game on!?
Rico Lewis slams home his first Premier League goal - Manchester City 2-0 Crystal Palace (54th minute)
The academy product is on target as he slams home a loose ball in the box and sparks wild celebrations. VAR checks the goal for a possible offside but it stands and City are now cruising.
No goal, as Julian Alvarez whips in a free kick from the left and it goes in
Oh, that looked to be 2-0 to City there. Alvarez’s free kick form the left is whipped into a great area and Rodri is there but misses the ball and it goes in. However, offside is given as Rodri is clearly in an offside position and is also interfering with play. Pretty simple decision.
Half time: Manchester City 1-0 Crystal Palace
Aside from that one scare just before half time that was complete domination from Man City. Pep Guardiola’s side should have a larger lead but Grealish’s goal is the difference. Right now, it seems like City will ease to victory as injury-hit Palace have very little threat going forward.
Ederson booked and City were very lucky
Palace played the ball over the top and Mateta is in but Ederson comes out and takes him out on the edge of the box. City’s goalkeeper is booked and VAR checks the decision but Ruben Dias was covering to save Ederson a red card and Guardiola a huge headache. Olise’s resulting free kick is inches over as it skims the top of the net.
Josko Gvardiol denied by Henderson
Who is that marauding through on goal? Why, it’s left back Josko Gvardiol, of course. City play it over the top and the defender is in but drills his shot towards goal and Henderson blocks it.
Jack Grealish scores for the third Premier League game in a row for the first time in his career - Manchester City 1-0 Crystal Palace (24th minute)
That is a lovely goal, as Rodri finds Phil Foden and his turn and delicate pass to Grealish is fantastic and Grealish slots home. After a lengthy VAR check for offside, Grealish is on and the goal stands.
Rodri’s shot deflects wide
A lovely flowing move down the right sees Rico Lewis pull the ball back for Rodri and his shot is deflected and flies just wide. City probing.
So close to a City opener as Henderson saves superbly
Julian Alvarez looks certain to score but his header is saved superbly by Dean Henderson, who is making his debut for Palace after his return from injury. Ruben Dias then curls one just over. City building up lots of pressure and Palace have set up in a 5-4-1 formation.
Manchester City lineup
Ederson; Walker, Dias, Ake, Gvardiol; Rodrigo, Lewis; Bernardo, Foden, Grealish; Alvarez
Crystal Palace lineup
Henderson; Ward, Clyne, Anderson, Guehi, Mitchell; Olise, Richards, Riedewald, Schlupp; Mateta
Manchester City focus, team news
Pep Guardiola has been struggling with the balance of his team and some late defensive errors cost them points in that uncharacteristic run of four Premier League games without a win. But they’re still right there in the title race and the reigning champs are still the heavy favorites to win a fourth-straight Premier League title. It will be intriguing to see who Guardiola lines up in attack and if he rests Haaland, and others, ahead of the Club World Cup.
OUT: Kevin de Bruyne (hamstring), Jeremy Doku (other) | QUESTIONABLE: Erling Haaland (foot)
Crystal Palace focus, team news
Rubbing further salt into Palace’s wounds are injuries stacking up with Lerma, Mitchell, Edouard and Johnstone all suffering knocks. Hodgson has played USMNT youngster Chris Richards in holding midfield in recent weeks and the Alabama native has taken his chance. Palace will look to sit back, soak up pressure and look to hit City on the break and they’ve had some joy at doing that at the Etihad in the past.
OUT: Eberechi Eze (ankle), Dean Henderson (thigh), Rob Holding (ankle), Cheick Doucoure (achilles - out for season), Jesurun Rak-Sakyi (thigh), Jordan Ayew (suspended), Sam Johnstone (calf), Odsonne Edouard (knee)| QUESTIONABLE: Tyrick Mitchell (groin), Jefferson Lerma (hamstring