LONDON - Manchester City maintained their pursuit of Premier League leaders Arsenal with a 3-0 victory over Crystal Palace on Sunday, powered by a brace from Erling Haaland and a composed finish from Phil Foden at Selhurst Park. Despite the comfortable scoreline, City were made to work hard, particularly in the first half, as Palace created the better chances and looked the more threatening side early on. The hosts came agonisingly close to taking the lead when Yeremy Pino squandered a golden opportunity, striking the crossbar after being expertly played in by Adam Wharton. Palace continued to press, while City struggled to impose themselves, offering little apart from a well-struck Foden free-kick that forced a full-stretch save from goalkeeper Dean Henderson.
Against the run of play, City found the breakthrough in the 41st minute. Matheus Nunes delivered a precise cross into the box, and Haaland rose powerfully to head home his first clear chance of the match, giving the visitors a crucial lead heading into halftime. Palace began the second half with renewed intensity and nearly drew level within three minutes of the restart when Wharton’s low drive beat goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma but rebounded off the post. The miss proved costly as City gradually took control of the contest.
With Palace committing men forward in search of an equaliser, spaces began to open up at the back. City capitalised in the 69th minute when Foden collected the ball on the edge of the area and fired a low, precise shot past Henderson for his sixth goal in five matches, effectively settling the game. City wrapped up the victory late on when they were awarded a penalty in the 89th minute after Henderson fouled Savinho. Unfazed by jeers from the home crowd, Haaland calmly sent the goalkeeper the wrong way to score his 17th league goal of the season, sealing City’s fourth consecutive Premier League win. The result leaves Manchester City second on 34 points from 16 matches, just two points behind Arsenal, while Crystal Palace remain fifth with 26 points.
Results
Man City 3-0 Palace
Nottm Forest 3-0 Tottenham
Aston Villa 3-2 West Ham
Arsenal 2-1 Wolves
Sunderland 1-0 Newcastle