Manchester City have won just one of their last six Premier League games after a late Crystal Palace penalty from Michael Olise resulted in a 2-2 draw between the sides at the Etihad Stadium.
City had dominated the game and were cruising at 2-0 thanks to goals in either half from Jack Grealish and Rico Lewis. But Palace pulled one back against the run of play through Jean-Philippe Mateta and were then awarded a penalty deep into stoppage time.
Pep Guardiola’s haven’t won a home game in the Premier League since their 4 November thrashing of Bournemouth and now head off to Saudi Arabia in the FIFA Club World Cup stewing on that uncharacteristic barren stretch.
As City were looking for a way to pick holes in the tightly-packed Palace defensive line, a chipped cross from Kyle Walker almost presented Julian Alvarez with an early opener. The Eagles had the reactions of goalkeeper Dean Henderson to thank for tipping the header to safety.
As City probed, Ruben Dias and Rodri each only just missed the target. But persistence was rewarded midway through the first half when Foden slipped a ball between the Palace defence to Grealish, whose finish was calm and composed. A lengthy VAR check ensued, but the officials were ultimately satisfied that Nathaniel Clyne’s left bum cheek was playing the City winger onside.
Henderson needed to be alert to prevent City from quickly doubling the lead when Josko Gvardiol made a diagonal break from left-back and fired at the Palace keeper.
Mateta had cut a lonely figure up front for Palace until he was involved in a potential flashpoint just before half-time. The towering striker was racing through and touched the ball beyond the onrushing Ederson, before being cleaned out by the City goalkeeper.
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