With City playing before their title rivals Arsenal, the onus was on them to take the game to Palace as they sought to cut the gap at the top of the table. City’s foot was firmly to the floor in search of that, and they ought to have seized the initiative midway through the first half when Nathan Ake laid the ball off for the effervescent Erling Haaland, but the Norwegians effort from six-yards drifted agonisingly over the bar.
Rodri was next in line to try his luck for City, but such was their luck in the first half, his strike was straight down the throat of Vicente Guaita. Regardless, City fans may not have been overly concerned considering that ahead of kick-off, their last nine goals against Palace had arrived after the break.
Phil Foden came close to adding to that tally shortly after the break, but Guaita was proving an immovable object in the Palace goal, and was again on hand to beat away Foden’s free-kick.
It’s just as well for Palace that Guaita was in inspired form as the 60th minute marked a fourth hour of PL play without a shot on target for the hosts, a worrying trend for a side who could really do with a win to arrest any lingering relegation fears.
Their need for a goal became even more desperate when Michael Olise felled İlkay Gundogan in the area, and who else but Haaland was going to step forward when City needed him the most to fire them into the lead?
City’s victory could’ve been more handsome had Haaland not headed over from a matter of yards, but with Palace’s goal-shy nature they didn't need to worry as they cruised to extend their unbeaten league run to six matches. As for Palace, they end the night just four points above the drop zone and are undoubtedly looking anxiously over their shoulder as they wonder just where their next victory will come from.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Rodri (Manchester City)
