Even in a week when they have beaten the mighty Real Madrid in the Santiago Bernabéu, this ranked as one of Pep Guardiola’s most satisfying victories of the season.
It was Oliver Glasner who condemned the Manchester City manager to his first season without a major trophy since his first year in English football, when Crystal Palace enjoyed the greatest day in their history at the FA Cup final in May. So outsmarting one of the Premier League’s shrewdest operators gave Guardiola extra contentment, not to mention helping City to move back to within two points of Arsenal.
Erling Haaland sent them on their way after holding out against a determined Palace side during the first half before adding a late penalty to take his league tally for the season to 17. Phil Foden scored his sixth goal in four Premier League appearances – in front of Thomas Tuchel, the England manager – to seal City’s revenge. But it still was not enough for a perfectionist such as Guardiola.
“I think today was not good, he didn’t play at his best. He lost a lot of balls, he was so anxious with decisions,” he said of the 25-year-old, before acknowledging that it was not only Foden who lost his way in the previous campaign after an unprecedented four successive league titles. “The problems last season was not Phil, it was everyone – me included. This was an incredible lesson for us.”
The ominous thing for Mikel Arteta and everybody else is that on the evidence, City’s belief has returned. Both sides came into this game boosted by positive results in Europe in midweek, albeit against contrasting opposition. With 24 hours more to recover after their Champions League win on Wednesday, Guardiola made only one change as Tijjani Reijnders replaced Jérémy Doku, who was ruled out with a leg injury.
Palace’s preparation was hampered by their late arrival back from Dublin on Friday afternoon after a problem with their plane that was meant to be taking off straight after the win against Shelbourne in the Conference League the previous evening. Glasner was relieved that Jean-Philippe Mateta and Ismaïla Sarr were able to return in attack after injury absences, although the veteran Nathaniel Clyne was again tasked with filling the Daniel Muñoz void on the right flank.
The two managers exchanged a few friendly words before kick‑off, with Glasner perhaps gently reminding Guardiola of his warning before the FA Cup final that he would have to change his system after a 5-2 win against Palace in their previous Premier League meeting a few weeks earlier. This time, the meticulous Austrian’s pre-match assessment was that it would be crucial to “control the pockets” against a fluid City system that provides support to Haaland.
The plan had seemed to be working as it was Palace who looked more dangerous for much of the first half. A glorious pass from Adam Wharton after 20 minutes picked out Yeremy Pino but he could only strike the crossbar after being played onside by a dozing Nico O’Reilly.
Such has been the consistency of selection under Glasner, the Spain forward and Clyne were the only two members of Palace’s starting lineup not to start at Wembley seven months ago and that is most evident in their defensive organisation. City’s best chance of creating an opportunity appeared to be a piece of individual brilliance and Foden almost provided it when his curling free‑kick forced Dean Henderson into a full-length diving save.
But having been well shackled until that point by Palace’s imposing back three, a momentary lapse in concentration from Chris Richards allowed Haaland to pounce. It still required a wonderful deep cross from Matheus Nunes and Henderson had no chance this time from a powerful header across him. Mateta felt he should have had a penalty before half-time but replays showed Gianluigi Donnarumma just got to the ball first.
So impressive in every other department, Wharton is still waiting for his first Palace goal. He came within inches of breaking his duck when Nico González was dispossessed early in the second half. Fortunately for the City midfielder, the resulting shot cannoned off the base of a post and away to safety.
Foden’s quicksilver feet created the next opportunity for City after he combined with Rayan Cherki but Henderson was able to deny Reijnders from a tight angle. Wharton snatched at another chance that fell his way after a surging run and threw his arms up in disgust. The sight of Daichi Kamada trudging off with a hamstring injury soon after will be a major concern for Glasner, with Foden effectively settling things when he drilled home from outside the area after another surging run from Cherki.
Palace had their chances to make it an interesting finale through Sarr and Eddie Nketiah, but could not find a way past Donnarumma. Haaland wrapped things up from the spot late on when Henderson brought down Savinho inside the box. In this form, City will take some stopping – as Arsenal are already well aware.
