Manchester City maintained their pursuit of Arsenal at the top of the Premier League table with a 3-0 win over Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park.
The visitors had been distanced by late drama for the league leaders yesterday but moved back to within two points of their potential title rivals thanks to a double from Erling Haaland and fine strike from Phil Foden. Pep Guardiola’s side did not have things their own way by any means, though, with Yeremy Pino and Adam Wharton striking the woodwork in either half with Palace perhaps the more consistently threatening of the two sides.
But Haaland, who had few touches in the first half, popped up to powerfully head home the opener from Matheus Nunes’s cross just before the interval, before Foden drilled home a second 20 minutes from time. With Palace pressing to cause late drama, Savinho broke free to earn a penalty, which Haaland cooly slotted home in the final moments. Crystal Palace remain fifth having been overtaken by Chelsea on Saturday.
Follow all of the latest from Selhurst Park with our live blog below:
Crystal Palace vs Man City live
- Manchester City beat Crystal Palace in the Premier League
- GOAL! Crystal Palace 0-1 MANCHESTER CITY (Erling Haaland, 41 minutes)
- HT: Crystal Palace 0-1 Manchester City
- Woodwork! Adam Wharton hits the post (Crystal Palace 0-1 Manchester City, 47 minutes)
- GOAL! Crystal Palace 0-2 MANCHESTER CITY (Phil Foden, 69 minutes)
- GOAL! Crystal Palace 0-3 MANCHESTER CITY (Erling Haaland, 89 minutes)
- FULL TIME: Crystal Palace 0-3 Manchester City
Erling Haaland at the double as Manchester City battle past Crystal Palace
16:14 , Harry Latham-CoyleManchester City moved back to within two points of the Premier League summit with an impressive 3-0 win against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park.
Goals in each half from Erling Haaland and Phil Foden then a late Haaland penalty ensured City got their fourth league victory in a row to keep the pressure on leaders Arsenal, and it was a guileful, gutsy display that was needed to see off a Palace team who had sights on the top four.
Oliver Glasner could reflect on poor finishing from his side who had multiple opportunities to hurt the visitors whilst the game was goalless. In the end it was the difference, with two unerring executions from two players in wonderful form ultimately settling the bout in favour of Pep Guardiola's team.
Erling Haaland at the double as Manchester City battle past Crystal Palace
Results elsewhere
16:00 , Harry Latham-CoylePlenty of action around the grounds this afternoon: Aston Villa came from behind to confine West Ham to the bottom three with a 3-2 success; Tottenham endured another tough outing with Nottingham Forest 3-0 home winners at the City Ground; and Sunderland’s first Premier League derby day for nearly a decade was most enjoyable indeed:
Sunderland vs Newcastle live: Score and latest updates from Premier League derby
FT: Crystal Palace 0-3 Manchester City
15:58 , Harry Latham-CoyleA comfortable win on the scoresheet for Manchester City, but they really had to work for that. Crystal Palace twice strike the woodwork and were still hunting hard for a goal late on before Savinho’s counter-attack and Erling Haaland’s resultant penalty killed the game for good. Manchester City move back to within two points of league leaders Arsenal.
FULL TIME: Crystal Palace 0-3 Manchester City
15:55 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Crystal Palace 0-3 Manchester City, 90 + 4 minutes
15:52 , Harry Latham-CoyleThis scoreline is rather harsh on Crystal Palace. They’ve been pretty good, and unfortunate, this afternoon.
Crystal Palace 0-3 Manchester City, 90 + 1 minutes
15:51 , Harry Latham-CoyleA late triple-change from Pep Guardiola, introducing Rayan Ait-Nouri, Rico Lewis and Omar Marmoush. Nico O’Reilly, Bernardo Silva and Erling Haaland the men replaced.
GOAL! Crystal Palace 0-3 MANCHESTER CITY (Erling Haaland, 89 minutes)
15:48 , Harry Latham-CoyleRolled insouciantly home! Erling Haaland has two, Manchester City have three points.
PENALTY! Crystal Palace 0-2 Manchester City, 88 minutes
15:47 , Harry Latham-CoyleBut Manchester City have a penalty at the other end! A most untimely slip from Tyrick Mitchell lets Savinho in, and away goes the Brazilian with no defender able to catch him. Savinho rounds Dean Henderson, who brings him down with a grasping arm - this would finish it for good...
Crystal Palace 0-2 Manchester City, 87 minutes
15:46 , Harry Latham-CoyleCrystal Palace still piling the pressure on...
Crystal Palace 0-2 Manchester City, 86 minutes
15:45 , Harry Latham-CoyleAnother Richards hurl from the sideline is headed clear by Erling Haaland.
Crystal Palace mount another offensive and Marc Guehi jabs something at goal, but it is light on power and cleared by a Manchester City leg.
Crystal Palace 0-2 Manchester City, 85 minutes
15:43 , Harry Latham-CoyleTijjani Reijnders is trudging off for Manchester City after a busy afternoon in midfield. Savinho on for the final five minutes plus stoppage time.
Crystal Palace 0-2 Manchester City, 84 minutes
15:43 , Harry Latham-CoyleBashed away! Eddie Nketiah drives beyond Josko Gvardiol and then at goal, drawing a parry in front of the face from Gianluigi Donnarumma.
Crystal Palace 0-2 Manchester City, 83 minutes
15:42 , Harry Latham-CoyleThe corner comes to nothing. Crystal Palace soon earn a throw in an advanced area but Chris Richards can’t find fellow centre-half Maxence Lacroix.
Crystal Palace 0-2 Manchester City, 81 minutes
15:40 , Harry Latham-CoyleBlocked thrice! Manchester City put their bodies on the line, Nico O’Reilly, Ruben Dias and Josko Gvardiol getting in the way to deny Ismaila Sarr (twice) and Will Hughes. A corner.
Crystal Palace 0-2 Manchester City, 79 minutes
15:38 , Harry Latham-CoyleUche has indeed gone up alongside Eddie Nketiah and Yermy Pino with Sarr into a deeper role. Nketiah looks to make progress down the right but is decisively halted by Josko Gvardiol, who thumps the ball into touch.
Crystal Palace 0-2 Manchester City, 77 minutes
15:36 , Harry Latham-CoyleChristantus Uche replaces Nathaniel Clyne. It looks like Ismaila Sarr may go to right-wing-back for Crystal Palace.
Crystal Palace 0-2 Manchester City, 74 minutes
15:34 , Harry Latham-CoyleIsmaila Sarr follows the flight of a forward ball far better than the two Manchester City defenders it lands between, but his touch is much too heavy. Out of play it travels.
Crystal Palace 0-2 Manchester City, 72 minutes
15:31 , Harry Latham-CoyleCrystal Palace won’t give up hope, though. We’ve seen them threaten throughout.
Crystal Palace 0-2 Manchester City, 70 minutes
15:30 , Harry Latham-CoyleA very pleasant goal, that. Crystal Palace have had to put more and more bodies forward to try and get back in the game and you felt like Manchester City might take advantage at some point.
GOAL! Crystal Palace 0-2 MANCHESTER CITY (Phil Foden, 69 minutes)
15:28 , Harry Latham-CoyleA second for Manchester City through Phil Foden!
A fine finish! Tyrick Mitchell is caught in possession and the visitors spring into life, Rayan Cherki riding a challenge from Adam Wharton and cooly laying the ball off to Foden. Cherki ploughs on, creating enough room for Foden to sweep a finish into the bottom corner.
Crystal Palace 0-1 Manchester City, 68 minutes
15:27 , Harry Latham-CoyleA good greco-roman wrestle between Marc Guehi and Erling Haaland, neither giving an inch as they jostle for the right to pursue a ball after Haaland had blocked the defender’s clearance. It’s been a fun duel, that, today.
Crystal Palace 0-1 Manchester City, 67 minutes
15:25 , Harry Latham-CoyleThe pause allows both Oliver Glasner and Pep Guardiola to issue some instructions. Kamada isn’t moving freely at all, needing a medic to help him limp slowly to the sideline.
Will Hughes takes his place in midfield.
Crystal Palace 0-1 Manchester City, 65 minutes
15:24 , Harry Latham-CoyleA coming together between Nico Gonzalez and Daichi Kamada leaves the Crystal Palace midfielder on the floor. And this doesn’t look good - Kamada is grasping his hamstring and signalling for a change.
Crystal Palace 0-1 Manchester City, 62 minutes
15:22 , Harry Latham-CoyleA booking for Daichi Kamada as the midfielder gets in the way of Rayan Cherki. It was an excellent challenge from Marc Guehi just before that to prevent Matheus Nunes surging into the area that Cherki subsequently accessed.
Here is that Crystal Palace change - Jean-Philippe Mateta is replaced by Eddie Nketiah.
Crystal Palace 0-1 Manchester City, 60 minutes
15:20 , Harry Latham-CoyleEddie Nketiah appears ready to come on for Crystal Palace as we hit the hour mark. No sign of activity just yet in the Manchester City technical area, although Pep Guardiola may be mulling something soon.
Crystal Palace 0-1 Manchester City, 58 minutes
15:18 , Harry Latham-CoyleCrystal Palace are throwing more bodies forward and thus starting to look open at the back. A Manchester City counter-attack should amount to more than it does but Rayan Cherki gets his cross-field pass all wrong.
Adam Wharton then skies one after Yeremy Pino had shaken off the attentions of Matheus Nunes and laid one off for the midfielder.
Crystal Palace 0-1 Manchester City, 57 minutes
15:16 , Harry Latham-CoyleKept out! Manchester City beginning to press for a second, that midfield pouring forward in unison beyond Erling Haaland. Rayan Cherki slips in Tijjani Reijnders, who draws a low save from Dean Henderson with the goalkeeper’s feet. Could Reijnders have looked for a charging Haaland at the far stick? Perhaps...
Crystal Palace 0-1 Manchester City, 55 minutes
15:15 , Harry Latham-CoyleStrong hold-up play from Erling Haaland, shielding the ball from Maxence Lacroix and then drawing a foul.
Oliver Glasner and Pep Guardiola share what looks a frank, and extended, exchange of views as the free kick comes to nothing. Not quite sure what that was about. The fourth official belatedly steps in to end the chinwag.
Crystal Palace 0-1 Manchester City, 53 minutes
15:12 , Harry Latham-CoyleLively stuff! Chris Richards does superbly to get in on Tijjani Reijnders and not foul the Dutchman after the midfielder had spun beyond the Crystal Palace centre-half.
Crystal Palace 0-1 Manchester City, 52 minutes
15:11 , Harry Latham-CoyleCrystal Palace are all over their visitors at the start of the second half. Yeremy Pino draws a save from Gianluigi Donnarumma, albeit a simple one with nothing like the requisite power on his header to truly test the Italian.
Crystal Palace 0-1 Manchester City, 50 minutes
15:10 , Harry Latham-CoyleA scratch of the head from Ismaila Sarr - he knows he should have done better. A clever help forward from Yeremy Pino springs the opposite wing but Sarr takes one or two touches too many, trying to cut inside when he should surely have shot for goal. Manchester City get back to smother him.
Crystal Palace 0-1 Manchester City, 47 minutes
15:08 , Harry Latham-CoyleOff the post! A superb effort from Adam Wharton, winning the ball back and letting fly with his left foot. The slight curl on the ball just takes it against the bottom of the post and away. That’s twice now the hosts have rattled the woodwork.
Crystal Palace 0-1 Manchester City, 47 minutes
15:06 , Harry Latham-CoyleAdam Wharton concedes a corner, softly, but Manchester City can’t make much of it. Wharton is on the offensive soon after and looks for a slide-rule pass that a covering Bernardo Silva cuts out.
Second half...
15:04 , Harry Latham-CoyleThe last of the players are starting to saunter back out there, ready for the resumption. Can Crystal Palace fight back? No changes to either side.
Elsewhere...
14:55 , Harry Latham-CoyleAround the grounds, Nottingham Forest are one ahead against Tottenham; West Ham have restored a narrow advantage against Aston Villa thanks to Jarrod Bowen; and the first Wear-Tyne derby in the Premier League for a decade is goalless. You can follow that here, if you wish:
Sunderland vs Newcastle live: Score and latest updates from Premier League derby
HT: Crystal Palace 0-1 Manchester City
14:53 , Harry Latham-CoyleA half of plenty of chances for Crystal Palace but one that Manchester City end ahead. Erling Haaland has had only nine or ten touches but one of those proved telling, a thumping header into the bottom corner to convert a cross from Matheus Nunes. The hosts will fancy their chances of scoring, but will have to battle back from behind.
HALF TIME: Crystal Palace 0-1 Manchester City
14:48 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Crystal Palace 0-1 Manchester City, 45 + 3 minutes
14:48 , Harry Latham-CoyleA delicate bit of footwork from Rayan Cherki, flicking his heels like a flamenco dancer to nearly find an onrushing Phil Foden. Foden can’t quite sort his shoes out.
Crystal Palace 0-1 Manchester City, 45 minutes
14:46 , Harry Latham-CoyleInto three additional minutes at the end of the half. Oliver Glasner will feel pretty hard done by if his team go in behind - they’ve offered the more consistent threat.
Crystal Palace 0-1 Manchester City, 44 minutes
14:44 , Harry Latham-CoyleNow then?! Jean-Philippe Mateta breaks beyond the Manchester City defence and hits the deck after a coming together with Gianluigi Donnarumma. Did the goalkeeper get a touch on the bouncing ball?
It appears so. But here come Crystal Palace again, Mateta once more breaking free. A shot this time...tame, and saved.
Crystal Palace 0-1 Manchester City, 43 minutes
14:43 , Harry Latham-CoyleThat really does sum up Erling Haaland - 41 minutes in which you could have barely noticed he was on the pitch, and then a pinpoint finish to put Manchester City ahead. Crystal Palace had done an excellent job on him until then.
GOAL! Crystal Palace 0-1 MANCHESTER CITY (Erling Haaland, 41 minutes)
14:41 , Harry Latham-CoyleQuiet no more! First chance, first goal for Erling Haaland!
He’s barely touched the ball but Haaland puts Manchester City in front with a typically precise header. Matheus Nunes swings in a lovely outswinging cross that clears a leaping Chris Richards and arcs on to the head of Haaland, who powers it into the far corner.
Crystal Palace 0-0 Manchester City, 39 minutes
14:39 , Harry Latham-CoyleNo dice. Manchester City win the first ball but Erling Haaland cannot even contest the second.
Crystal Palace 0-0 Manchester City, 38 minutes
14:38 , Harry Latham-CoyleRayan Cherki has looked comfortably the liveliest of the Manchester City forwards so far, the rest perhaps feeling the exertions of the win over Real Madrid. Yeremy Pino fells a retreating Matheus Nunes after bright work from Cherki, conceding a free kick.
Crystal Palace 0-0 Manchester City, 36 minutes
14:37 , Harry Latham-CoyleCrystal Palace have a committee meeting before taking a free kick about 40 yards out, eventually leaving it to Yeremy Pino. He swings a deep cross over to Chris Richards and Manchester City fail to clear, though Adam Wharton can only succeed in testing the structural integrity of the stand behind the goal. Plenty of power; very little accuracy.
Crystal Palace 0-0 Manchester City, 34 minutes
14:35 , Harry Latham-CoyleIsmaila Sarr latches on to a lovely forward pass from Adam Wharton, but had just gone too soon. His chip evades Gianluigi Donnarumma’s goal as well - but Wharton is pulling the strings really nicely in there, as he tends to. He’s got a full bag of clubs for those approach shots and Manchester City are allowing him a bit too much space at the moment.
Crystal Palace 0-0 Manchester City, 32 minutes
14:33 , Harry Latham-CoyleRayan Cherki falls to floor after a coming together with Yeremy Pino on the right. It looks like there is a bit of contact from the Crystal Palace man, though perhaps not enough to trigger the theatrical fall that followed. A throw in, says the referee.
Crystal Palace 0-0 Manchester City, 29 minutes
14:30 , Harry Latham-CoyleIn fact, it’s Phil Foden who hits it, bending it around the wall and forcing a strong right paw from Dean Henderson. “England’s No 1,” chant the home fans - not strictly true, perhaps, but a message to Thomas Tuchel somewhere in the ground. Good stop.
Crystal Palace 0-0 Manchester City, 28 minutes
14:29 , Harry Latham-CoyleA foul from Chris Richards on Nico Gonzalez gives Manchester City a free kick in a very dangerous area, Richards a roadblock with Gonzalez on the charge through central midfield. Rayan Cherki may fancy this one from 25 yards...
Crystal Palace 0-0 Manchester City, 26 minutes
14:26 , Harry Latham-CoyleDeft footwork from Rayan Cherki allows the Manchester City creator to send Matheus Nunes overlapping onwards. The right-back’s cross is too tall for Erling Haaland and Nico O’Reilly fails to find the forward with his follow-up.
Crystal Palace 0-0 Manchester City, 24 minutes
14:25 , Harry Latham-CoyleA bit of zip about this contest, now. Ismaila Sarr gets towards the byline and crosses in front of Jean-Philippe Mateta, with too much on it for the striker to get near.
There is real dynamism around that Crystal Palace front three, and Manchester City haven’t done a great job of handling them.
Crystal Palace 0-0 Manchester City, 22 minutes
14:23 , Harry Latham-CoyleThe first bit of real quality from the visitors, Rayan Cherki producing a curling forward pass for Tijjani Reijnders. The curve just takes it away from the midfielder, who can’t get purchase as he swings his right leg at it.
Crystal Palace 0-0 Manchester City, 20 minutes
14:21 , Harry Latham-CoyleThat’s another chance at the other end, though - Nico Gonzalez is rather softly dispossessed by Yeremy Pino, who weaves into the Manchester City box. He shows fancy footwork to avoid a thicket of bodies briefly before they engulf him, allowing Gianluigi Donnarumma to come out and collect the loose ball.
Crystal Palace 0-0 Manchester City, 19 minutes
14:20 , Harry Latham-CoyleManchester City haven’t quite found their flow with the ball. They’ve had plenty of possession in this opening 20 minutes or so, but haven’t managed to turn it into anything of particular threat.
Crystal Palace 0-0 Manchester City, 16 minutes
14:17 , Harry Latham-CoyleOff the crossbar! Oh, a major let-off for Manchester City, cut open at the back. Yeremy Pino is beautifully found by Adam Wharton’s clipped pass but his finish is flighted too high and skims behind off the top of the woodwork. He was onside, too - Manchester City’s line was all over the place, there.
Crystal Palace 0-0 Manchester City, 16 minutes
14:16 , Harry Latham-CoyleThe setting winter sun is causing problems for the Manchester City fans, peering beneath fingers as they try to shield their eyes.
Crystal Palace 0-0 Manchester City, 14 minutes
14:14 , Harry Latham-CoyleAcross London, there have already been a couple of goals, with West Ham back level with Aston Villa having taken the lead through Mateus Fernandes inside 30 seconds.
No such goalmouth action here as of yet with both sides still settling in.
Crystal Palace 0-0 Manchester City, 12 minutes
14:12 , Harry Latham-CoyleA first sighting of Erling Haaland in the open field, the striker stretching his legs as a long low ball is played through to him. Marc Guehi does very well to re-establish a goalside position, stalling the Norwegian and eventually forcing an errant pass.
Crystal Palace 0-0 Manchester City, 11 minutes
14:11 , Harry Latham-CoyleSliced wide! Nathaniel Clyne arrives from deep to thump both ball and a couple of Manchester City players on the edge of the box. His connection isn’t the best, tumbling to the floor and watching his effort fly way wide of the goal.
Crystal Palace 0-0 Manchester City, 10 minutes
14:09 , Harry Latham-CoyleGvardiol is checked over by a couple of medics and taken to the touchline. It appears he will be ok to continue.
Crystal Palace 0-0 Manchester City, 8 minutes
14:09 , Harry Latham-CoyleThomas Tuchel is at Selhurst Park, the England boss pawing through a bag of sweets. Plenty of picking and mixing to be done, you’d suggest, ahead of next summer’s World Cup.
There’s a bit of concern, meanwhile, over Josko Gvardiol, who has taken a bang to the head.
Crystal Palace 0-0 Manchester City, 6 minutes
14:07 , Harry Latham-CoyleSharp defending from Tyrick Mitchell, covering well after a neat bit of play from Erling Haaland and Phil Foden. The latter’s scamper is ended by the left wing-back’s tackle.
Crystal Palace 0-0 Manchester City, 5 minutes
14:06 , Harry Latham-CoyleThe visitors have settled into dominance of possession reasonably swiftly. Crystal Palace in their familiar back-five.
Crystal Palace 0-0 Manchester City, 4 minutes
14:05 , Harry Latham-CoyleIt looks like a fluid four in behind Erling Haaland today for Manchester City, with Bernardo Silva, Tijjani Reijnders, Phil Foden and Rayan Cherki all capable of fulfilling a variety of positions. Foden is over on the left, Cherki the right for now.
Crystal Palace 0-0 Manchester City, 2 minutes
14:02 , Harry Latham-CoyleA scrappy start from Crystal Palace in possession defensively, too. They were so well drilled in the FA Cup final but Oliver Glasner hinted pre-match that he felt his side would have to score today to secure even a point.
Crystal Palace 0-0 Manchester City, 1 minute
14:01 , Harry Latham-CoyleAlmost a horrible start from the Manchester City backline, getting themselves in a muddle and allowing Yeremy Pino in. A good recovery challenge ensures the Spaniard does not capitalise, and Jean-Philippe Mateta had been offside, anyway.
KICK OFF!
14:00 , Harry Latham-CoyleA peep of the whistle and away they go.
Crystal Palace vs Manchester City
13:56 , Harry Latham-CoyleOut on to the Selhurst Park surface the players come, all clad in jackets. Manchester City are sporting their third kit underneath, a grey number with fluorescent yellow highlights.
Crystal Palace vs Manchester City
13:52 , Harry Latham-CoyleRighty, then. Could this be another big moment in Crystal Palace’s Champions League charge? It’s a pleasant enough December afternoon in south London, although the wind is whipping up a little.
Oliver Glasner explains key for Crystal Palace today
13:45 , Harry Latham-CoyleOliver Glasner believes it is key for Crystal Palace to “control the pockets” today against a Manchester City side full of technical ability.
"They are a fantastic team, fantastic players and fantastic manager. Scoring many goals and very fluid in their attack. Today a bit different because Jeremy Doku is not in the squad, Savinho on the bench but many pocket players like Phil Foden, Rayan Cherki, Bernardo Silva and Tijjani Reijnders. It is important to control the pockets.
"When you see their results, they always score goals. Sometimes you cannot avoid it because they are so good in what they are doing. On the other side, the concede plenty of goals. Two against Leeds, four against Fulham and one at Real Madrid, it gives us confidence that we can create chances and score goals."
Pep Guardiola speaks to Sky ahead of kick off
13:35 , Harry Latham-CoylePep Guardiola has confirmed that Jeremy Doku is absent due to a leg injury.
"We will miss his quality but we have another - other players play with their own quality,” Guardiola explains. “During the season, we have setbacks with injuries.
"[Crystal Palace are an] incredible team in all aspects and solid. Physical at the back, always a tough place since I arrived in Manchester. We travel after our Champions League game with a good vibe."
Glasner not getting carried away
13:25 , Chris WilsonCrystal Palace have won 26 points after 15 Premier League matches this season (W7 D5 L3), making it their best ever start to a league campaign.
However, Palace boss Oliver Glasner is not getting carried away with the positive start, with the Austrian joking that there is no “bonus if we are fourth in December”.
“Of course it’s nice, but for me what I’m thinking of is we’re always talking in the last games it felt we were getting a bit fatigued at the end of the game due to our schedule.
“For me fourth place in the league is not that important,” he added.
Crystal Palace vs Manchester City
13:15 , Harry Latham-CoyleCrystal Palace will have fond memories of the FA Cup final and their last meeting with Manchester City, but Oliver Glasner’s side were pretty good in this fixture in the league last season, too. The visitors twice had to come from behind to snatch a point at Selhurst Park, with Rico Lewis, the scorer of the second equaliser, later being sent off for two bookable offences.
Pep Guardiola says Man City ‘far away’ from winning Champions League despite Real Madrid win
13:05 , Chris WilsonPep Guardiola believes his Manchester City team will have to improve to win the Champions League despite recording a memorable victory at Real Madrid.
City stunned the Spanish giants at the Bernabeu on Wednesday – and heaped the pressure on under-fire Real boss Xabi Alonso – as they came from behind to win a compelling encounter 2-1.
The result lifted City to fourth in the league phase standings, getting their campaign back on track after last month’s loss to Bayer Leverkusen, but Guardiola feels further improvement is needed.
Guardiola says Man City ‘far away’ from winning Champions League
Team news - Crystal Palace
12:49 , Harry Latham-CoyleIsmaila Sarr returns to the Crystal Palace front three in the sole change from last week’s win over Fulham.
Crystal Palace XI: Henderson; Richards. Lacroix, Guehi; Clyne, Wharton, Kamada, Mitchell; Sarr, Pino; Mateta.
Our XI for today ✊ pic.twitter.com/O5URe5DmK3
— Crystal Palace F.C. (@CPFC) December 14, 2025
Team news - Manchester City
12:46 , Harry Latham-CoyleThere is just a single change to the Manchester City side that beat Real Madrid, with Tijjani Reijnders in for Jeremy Doku - the Belgian is not in the squad.
Man City XI: Donnarumma; Nunes, Dias, Gvardiol, O’Reilly; Gonzalez; Bernardo Silva, Reijnders, Foden, Cherki; Haaland.
Your City side to take on Palace! 👊
— Manchester City (@ManCity) December 14, 2025
XI | Donnarumma, Nunes, Dias, Gvardiol, O’Reilly, Nico, Bernardo (C), Reijnders, Foden, Cherki, Haaland
SUBS | Trafford, Ake, Marmoush, Ait-Nouri, Savinho, Khusanov, Bobb, Mukasa, Lewis
🤝 @etihad pic.twitter.com/zoebRyIzpE
Team news
12:40 , Chris WilsonThe line-ups should be released in the next five minutes, so here’s a reminder of the early team news...
Daniel Munoz requires surgery on a knee injury, while Cheick Doucoure and Chadi Riad continue their recoveries from ACL injuries. Caleb Kporha and Rio Cardines are still sidelined, with no concrete timelines for their returns.
City will be without Rodri, who is expected back later this month, while John Stones and Mateo Kovacic remain sidelined.
Sights on goal
12:36 , Mike JonesBoth teams have scored at least twice in each of the last four Premier League meetings between Crystal Palace and Manchester City, with two 2-2 draws and 4-2 & 5-2 victories for Man City.
The last top-flight fixture to have this happen more consecutively was Arsenal vs Burnley between 1959 and 1961 (5).
Based on the previous results we should be expecting plenty of goals today.
City's recent record vs Palace
12:30 , Mike JonesMan City have lost just two of their last 20 Premier League games against Crystal Palace (13 wins, five draw).
Both of those defeats came at the Etihad Stadium, not Selhurst Park.
However, Palace did defeat City in the FA Cup final at Wembley the last time these two teams met.
Palace's poor record
12:24 , Mike JonesCrystal Palace are winless in their last 10 Premier League home games against Manchester City with three draws and seven defeats coming since a 2-1 victory under Alan Pardew in April 2015.
Can they end that run this afternoon and best Pep Guardiola’s men?
What Manchester City’s unpredictability reveals about their Champions League hopes
12:18 , Chris WilsonIt is the sort of result that can mark a team out as potential champions of Europe. Beating Real Madrid in the Bernabeu, at the least, could offer an indication a team is equipped to defeat them in a final, semi-final or quarter-final. Though, more than most, Pep Guardiola can testify to Real’s winning habit when the stakes are highest.
His reaction to Manchester City’s 2-1 triumph in the Spanish capital was to argue they would have to play better in the knockout stages of the competition. At least now, with their manager thinking they only require four points to be fast-tracked to the last 16, they should be spared the play-off round that brought their elimination by Real last season. Yet if Guardiola may be football’s most famous perfectionist, it could have been the realist in him who spoke when he said: “In the last stages, you have to be better.”
What Manchester City’s unpredictability reveals about their Champions League hopes
Glasner on City's performances
12:12 , Mike JonesThe Crystal Palace boss says he has been keeping tabs on Man City’s recent performances and despite how strong they have been in front of goal he believes they have weaknesses that can be exploited.
“We watched them when they played at Fulham [a 5-4 win for City], because we had the next game against Fulham, and also their Real Madrid game away [a 2-1 win for City],” Glasner said.
“They’re very impressive, especially how they attack, how they create their chances, and how they score their goals. They scored two at Madrid, they scored five at Fulham, they scored three at home against Leeds.
“But on the other side, we could see that they are also giving opportunities to create chances and to score yourself. They conceded four against Fulham and conceded two against Leeds.”
Glasner says Palace squad 'looks good'
12:06 , Mike JonesOliver Glasner’s fitness update for his Crystal Palace was upbeat despite some injury concerns.
The manager revealed: “All who played [against Shelbourne FC in the Conference League] should be fine, and then we hope that JP [Mateta] and Ismaïla Sarr are available for the game.
“Of course, we need to train with them and see if there is any reaction, but it looks good and looks okay right now.
“It will give us a few more options and it's important to have these options against City.”
Kolo Toure issues fitness updates on City squad
12:00 , Mike JonesPep Guardiola skipped the pre-match media duties this week and was replaced by City’s assistant first team coach Kolo Toure who provided the latest updates on the fitness and availability of John Stones and Rodri.
“It was John’s thigh. That’s the problem. I’m sure it wasn’t something too big and I think he will be back soon,” Toure said of Stones before adding an update on Rodri.
He said: “Rodri is training well, and his rehab is going well. He is looking sharper and sharper.
“For sure we won’t see him for the weekend but he’s going through the process.”
How Manchester City fightback sealed sweet Champions League revenge on Real Madrid
11:50 , Chris WilsonThe report from a famous Man City win at the Bernabeu...
If this is to prove the last game Pep Guardiola manages at the Bernabeu, what a way to go. And if it ends up as Xabi Alonso’s final match in charge of Real Madrid, what a quick, undignified end. A match that unravelled like a reign that began well.
An eight-minute meltdown brought Real a second successive home defeat. First Celta Vigo triumphed at the Bernabeu, now Manchester City have. A Real team with a mere two victories in eight games represent a club with a culture of impatience. Alonso could become its latest victim.
“It’s not up to me,” he admitted. “I am looking forward to the next game.” If he gets one.
How Manchester City fightback sealed sweet Champions League revenge on Real Madrid
Predicted line-ups
11:42 , Chris WilsonCrystal Palace XI: Henderson; Richards, Lacroix, Guehi; Clyne, Wharton, Kamada, Mitchell; Sarr, Pino; Mateta.
Man City XI: Donnarumma; Nunes, Dias, Gvardiol, O’Reilly; Silva, Gonzalez, Foden; Cherki, Haaland, Doku.
Manchester City team news
11:36 , Chris WilsonMan City appear to have emerged from the Bernabeu win unscathed, with no new injury concerns for Pep Guardiola.
However, this match will come too soon for Rodri, who is expected back later this month, while John Stones and Mateo Kovacic remain sidelined.
Palace team news
11:30 , Chris WilsonOliver Glasner continues to navigate a minor injury crisis, with at least five players likely to be absent for this weekend.
Daniel Munoz is the most recent addition to the list, with the defender requiring surgery on a knee injury, while Cheick Doucoure and Chadi Riad continue their recovery from ACL injuries. Caleb Kporha and Rio Cardines are still sidelined, with no concrete timelines for their returns.
Palace could be boosted by the return of Ismaila Sarr after he suffered an ankle issue, while Jaydee Canvot could return from illness, though Jean-Philippe Mateta faces a late fitness test after coming off against Fulham due to a minor knee injury.
As things stand
11:24 , Mike JonesComing into today’s match Manchester City cannot afford to drop an points as they sit five points behind the current Premier League leaders Arsenal.
Pep Guardiola’s men have won four of their last five league matches and are in a strong run of form with the re-emergence of Phil Foden and the prolific striking power of Erling Haaland.
City will look to close the gap back to two points and maintain the pressure of the Gunners who know that one slip up could cost them the advantage in the title race.
In comparison, Crystal Palace are also having a fine season and sit fifth in the table before today’s game.
Oliver Glasner’s men have won seven of their 15 matches so far and will jump back into the top four if they were to beat City at home.
‘Bizarre’ Wolves own goals can’t hide Mikel Arteta’s fury at Arsenal’s ‘horrible habits’
11:18 , Jamie BraidwoodThe face on Rob Edwards said it all as he applauded the Wolves supporters at the Emirates. The Premier League’s bottom side were moments away from just a third point of the season, away at the leaders, only to be denied as a second own goal of the night consigned themselves to a ninth straight defeat.
There was pride at how Wolves had scrapped and fought and ultimately hauled themselves level with Tolu Arokodare’s stoppage-time header. But there was pain, so much pain, at the sight of Yerson Mosquera glancing Bukayo Saka’s cross into his own net and the Wolves players collapsing to the turf as if the strings had been cut from them.
Wolves own goals can’t hide Arteta’s fury at Arsenal’s ‘horrible habits’
How can I watch it?
11:12 , Mike JonesViewers in the UK can watch the match live on Sky Sports Premier League, with coverage starting at 12.30pm. Subscribers can also stream the action online via NOWTV.
If you’re not a Sky customer, you can grab a NOWTV Day Pass here to watch without a subscription.
When is Crystal Palace vs Man City?
11:06 , Chris WilsonThe match is scheduled to take place on Sunday, 14 December at Selhurst Park, with kick-off set for 2pm GMT.
Good morning
11:00 , Chris WilsonHello and welcome to The Independent’s live coverage of today’s Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Manchester City.
The visitors come to the capital looking to maintain the pressure on Arsenal at the top of the table.
City have impressed lately after a mixed start to the season, with Pep Guardiola’s side starting the weekend just two points behind Arsenal, and the visitors come into the match off the back of a great performance in their 2-1 win over Real Madrid at the Bernabeu in midweek.
However, Palace have produced their own solid start to the new season, with Oliver Glasner‘s side sitting fourth in the table ahead of this weekend’s fixtures.
Both sides have shown flashes of brilliance at points this term but the visitors will travel to the capital as favourites in what is the first meeting between these two sides since Palace stunned City in the 2025 FA Cup final – the question is, have Guardiola and City learned their lesson from Wembley?
