Manchester City could only manage a draw against Crystal Palace on Saturday in the Premier League.
Fans were bang up for this game after Manchester City had returned to winning ways in midweek against Nottingham Forest, and with Liverpool’s game with Everton being postponed, there was a chance to make up more ground.
But City could only draw 2-2 with Palace at Selhurst Park.
Palace took the lead twice in the game, first through Daniel Munoz and then through Maxence Lacroix.
Erling Haaland grabbed City’s first equaliser, and Rico Lewis got the second, before being sent off during the closing stages of the game in controversial fashion.
It was a frustrating result given the opportunity to close the gap on Liverpool, but clear City just aren’t where they need to be right now.
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Last night, Haaland sent a message to fans after the result.
Erling Haaland already has eyes on Juventus, after Crystal Palace draw
Manchester City's Erling Haaland during the Premier League match between Manchester City FC and Nottingham Forest FC at Etihad Stadium on December ...
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Against Palace, City never gave themselves a true chance to win the game, conceding inside four minutes to Munoz.
City just couldn’t make all their possession count after Lewis had scored City’s second equaliser. Remarkably, all three of Lewis’ Premier League goals for City have come against the Eagles.
Lewis’ sending off on 84 minutes put City up against it, and they then created nothing of note.
We know that Palace have proven to be something of a bogey side for City in recent times, but this was still a frustrating result.
But Haaland was upbeat after the game, posting a 10-word message on social media to fans.
He said: “Thank you for the support as always, Cityzens, onto Wednesday 🙏🏻💪🏻”
City are back in Champions League action next week against Italian giants Juventus, and it is simply a huge game that Pep Guardiola needs to win if the club are to ultimately to progress to the knockout stages.
Man City still have major work to do to close gap to Liverpool
This was a brilliant chance for City to get to within six points of leaders Liverpool, with their game being postponed.
It was a chance to put the pressure on, and to show everyone that City are still to be seen as serious title contenders. But the performance just wasn’t there, even though Guardiola did praise his players after the draw with Palace.
After the win over Forest in midweek, fans were expecting a performance full of confidence.
But there is still a lot of work to do for City, who look to need a really big January.
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