Man City 2-3 Crystal Palace: City stay 4 pts behind Liverpool after shock defeat

Man City 2-3 Crystal Palace: City stay 4 pts behind Liverpool after shock defeat

Liverpool will lead the Premier League by four points at Christmas after Manchester City suffered a shock 3-2 defeat to Crystal Palace.

2018/2019 Premier League

Match Events



Andros Townsend scored a sensational goal-of-the-season contender as Crystal Palace dealt Manchester City's Premier League title defence a body blow with a stunning 3-2 win at the Etihad Stadium.

City enjoyed a regal dominance up until Ilkay Gundogan's 26th-minute opener but Jeffrey Schlupp levelled six minutes later before Townsend turned the contest on its head with an outstanding long-range volley.

Luka Milivojevic increased City's misery and delight at Anfield with a 51st-minute penalty that means Liverpool will celebrate Christmas with a four-point lead at the Premier League summit.

Kevin De Bruyne's overhit cross sailed in five minutes from time but Pep Guardiola's side were unable to undo the damage in the late rally that followed.


Match Events

27' GOAL! Man City 1-0 Crystal Palace (Gundogan)

It had been coming and City take the lead! It comes after more good work down the left. Sane plays the ball back to Delph and the stand-in skipper crosses superbly with his right foot to find Ilkay Gundogan as he drifts in at the far post and plants his header into the corner.


33' GOAL! Man City 1-1 Crystal Palace (Schlupp)

What a response from Palace and what a finish from Jeffrey Schlupp. Zaha gets at Laporte down the right channel, and is tackled but the loose ball comes to Townsend. He finds Schlupp, who gets into the box but appears to be getting forced away from goal, only to angle a fine shot, low into the far corner of the net! We're all square!

35' GOAL! Man City 1-2 Crystal Palace (Townsend)

UNBELIEVABLE! What a hit from Andros Townsend! Palace lead and Townsend has just scored one of the goals of the season!


Van Aanholt's free-kick is partially cleared, Silva then tries to head it further clear but the ball loops up to Townsend 35 yards from goal, who hits one of the sweetest volleys you are ever likely to see - past Ederson and into the top corner!

51' Penalty Goal! Man City 1-3 Crystal Palace (Milivojevic)

PENALTY TO CRYSTAL PALACE! Palace counter, Wan-Bissaka crosses from the right, Townsend heads again the post and as Meyer reaches the rebound, he is tripped by Kyle Walker!


No mistake from Luka Milivojevic, firing the ball beyond Ederson into the 'keeper's left-hand corner. Palace have daylight and, as it stands, so will Liverpool at the top of the table!

85' GOAL! Man City 2-3 Crystal Palace (Kevin de Bruyne)

He's not meant it, but Kevin de Bruyne has pulled one back for City! His cross from the right is overhit but it drifts beyond Guaita and into the far corner.


Line-ups

Man City XI: F. Delph, N. Otamendi, K. Walker, İ. Gündoğan, R. Sterling, A.Laporte, J. Stones, Ederson Moraes, Sané, Bernardo Silva, Gabriel Jesus

Subs: S. Agüero, Danilo, K. De Bruyne, Mahrez, Zinchenko, Foden, A. Murić

Crystal Palace XI: Sakho, Tomkins, McArthur, Vicente Guaita, Townsend, Van Aanholt, L. Milivojević, W.Zaha, Schlupp, Meyer, Aaron Wan-Bissaka

Subs: J. Speroni, Dann, Puncheon, J.Ward, Ayew, A. Sørloth, Riedewald