Just when it appeared that Manchester City’s dark days were behind them, they rolled back into town with a vengeance against Crystal Palace as if blown in by Storm Darragh itself.
The game couldn’t have gotten off to a worse start for Manchester City, with Palace immediately rattling them with intense pressing and finding an opener through Daniel Munoz after just four minutes.
Pep Guardiola’s side were hapless at points and looked so vulnerable, with Palace cutting through them at will, but managed to get back into the match when Erling Haaland headed home.
City dominated possession after the break but struggled to create any clear-cut chances before more shocking defending allowed Maxence Lacroix to head his side back in front.
They dragged themselves level once again, this time Rico Lewis smartly finishing a nice team move, but the right-back made the closing stages difficult after being sent off for two yellow cards.
The Blues held on for a point but it’s yet another poor performance and disappointing result.
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Here’s how the players rated.
Pep Guardiola, Manager of Manchester City, reacts prior to the Premier League match between Crystal Palace FC and Manchester City FC at Selhurst Pa...
Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images
Stefan Ortega – 6
Stefan Ortega didn’t have much to do but pick the ball out of the net twice, with there being little he could do to prevent either goal. Was good coming off his line to claim loose balls.
Kyle Walker – 3
The whole defence was positioned poorly for the opener but Kyle Walker was the one who played Munoz onside. He then allowed Lacroix to head in the second goal unopposed despite being in front of him. The captain’s poor form continues.
Ruben Dias – 7
It almost feels like Ruben Dias is holding the defence together by sheer force of will at times. His pivotal block on Lerma’s shot kept City in the match, with the leveller coming moments afterwards. Had a tough battle with Jean-Philippe Mateta, which probably finished a draw.
Josko Gvardiol – 3
It’s hard to work out what has happened to Josko Gvardiol, who has gone from an assured and elegant defender to one who is constantly making baffling decisions.
He almost looks like a headless chicken at points with awful positioning and at one point just passing the ball straight to an opponent. He got dragged out of position and was too weak in the challenge for the opening goal, too.
He would not be in the starting XI if City’s weren’t decimated by injuries at the back.
Rico Lewis – 5
For as good as Rico Lewis is on the ball, he’s increasingly becoming a liability in defence. He could get nowhere near Munoz when he scored the opener and was repeatedly outmuscled and outfought on the ball.
He isn’t helped by the instructions given to him by Guardiola, which leave him vulnerable to quick turnovers, and he was on his wrong side but Palace found a lot of joy on his flank. Unfortunate to be sent off for an incorrectly awarded second yellow.
Yet, he remains fantastic in possession and got City level for a second time with a lovely goal.
Ilkay Gundogan – 6
Shook City awake with a fantastic volley that bounced off the post and used the ball very well, with some incisive forward passing. Was involved in the second goal build-up. Got overrun in midfield by Jefferson Lerma and Will Hughes at points but the tactical set-up is just as responsible for that as he is.
Savinho – 5
Savinho’s now played 19 games for the club but his first goal remains elusive. It’s time he starts being more clinical in the final third, especially if he wants to shoot rather than pass the ball on to one of several other options. Was dangerous on the flank and exciting to watch but all sizzle no steak.
Bernardo Silva – 5
Still looks out of sorts with some sloppy passing – giving it away straight to Hughes on the edge of the box at one point – and lazy tracking back. Eberechi Eze was given a lot of freedom in the pockets with Bernardo slow to put a foot in.
He did improve after the break, though, and played in Lewis for his goal with a deft through ball.
Kevin De Bruyne – 8
Even though City remain remarkably fragile, just having Kevin De Bruyne in the side makes them a million times better. The brilliant Belgian is capable of creating a chance out of nowhere with exquisite through balls and smart one-twos. Just like he did for the second goal.
His link up play Haaland was particularly scintillating and he’s unlucky not to have at least one assist to his name.
Matheus Nunes – 6.5
Matheus Nunes continues to be one of the very few City players who is consistently playing well and not below his level. He was always looking to make things happen on the left and created the leveller with a fantastic cross. One moment when he was lazily off-side for a brilliant De Bruyne pass went against his score, though.
Erling Haaland – 6.5
Found a goal with a towering header when City needed him most but it was a frustrating afternoon, with the ball not quite falling nicely for him on a couple of promising occasions.
Substitutes
Jeremy Doku – 5
Bizarrely decided to pass the ball when in a great position instead of just shooting and wasn’t involved with much else.
Jack Grealish – 6
Won a couple of fouls and was good on the ball, should have come on earlier than he did.
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