Manchester City kept the pressure firmly on Arsenal at the top of the Premier League with a convincing 3-0 win over Crystal Palace. However, the scoreline makes the result look more straightforward than it actually was for long stretches of the game.
Fresh from an emotionally draining Champions League victory over Real Madrid in midweek, Guardiola’s side once again showed the clinical edge that has come to define their title runs.
The opening stages were far from comfortable. Palace, buoyed by recent form and memories of FA Cup success against City last season, played with confidence and intent. Adam Wharton controlled large spells in midfield.
Plus, Yeremy Pino and Adam Wharton both went close, with the hosts striking the woodwork twice during a first half that suggested the contest was far from one-sided.
City, by contrast, struggled to generate sustained pressure and offered little threat inside the Palace box early on.
Despite that, the growing sense that City are finding rhythm at a crucial point in the season hasn’t gone unnoticed. With four straight league wins now on the board, Guardiola’s side are currently priced at 11/10 to win the league. This reflects both their form and belief in their ability to close the gap on Arsenal.
Title odds and market movement can be tracked across a range of betting platforms, with broader breakdowns available via independent resources. These guides outline how different operators price long-term football markets (Source: https://esports-news.co.uk/betting-sites/non-gamstop/).
The breakthrough in this game came in the 41st minute, and, as so often, it was Erling Haaland who delivered. It was his 16th league goal (he got his 17th later on), adding to his already highly impressive Premier League stats.
A momentary lapse from Palace’s back line allowed Matheus Nunes the space to deliver a deep, accurate cross, which Haaland met with a powerful header across Dean Henderson. It was City’s first clear opening of the game and a reminder of their ability to punish even the smallest defensive errors.
Palace continued to press after the interval and might have drawn level when Wharton again found space, only to see his effort rebound off the post. Those missed chances proved costly. City gradually asserted greater control, and the second goal arrived in the 69th minute when Phil Foden drilled a low finish from outside the box.
Foden’s strike, his seventh league goal of the season, effectively shifted the momentum beyond Palace’s reach, even if Guardiola was later critical of aspects of the performance.
The hosts continued to push, with Eddie Nketiah and Ismaïla Sarr forcing saves from Gianluigi Donnarumma, but lacked the cutting edge needed to threaten a comeback.
The result was sealed late on when substitute Savinho was fouled by Henderson, allowing Haaland to convert from the penalty spot. From there, City saw out the closing stages with composure, securing a fourth consecutive league victory.
While the scoreline was arguably harsh on Palace, the outcome reinforced City’s growing momentum. As analysis elsewhere has noted, belief appears to be returning at exactly the right time. Performances like this suggest Guardiola’s team remain an ominous presence in the title race.