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Reuters
Reuters
Sport

Palace hit late to frustrate Man City

Soccer Football - Premier League - Manchester City v Crystal Palace - Etihad Stadium, Manchester, Britain - January 18, 2020 Manchester City's Sergio Aguero celebrates scoring their second goal REUTERS/Phil Noble

Crystal Palace grabbed a last-minute equaliser, through a Fernandinho own goal, to earn a 2-2 draw at Manchester City in the Premier League on Saturday after two goals from Sergio Aguero looked to have given the champions victory.

The result leaves City 13 points behind leaders Liverpool, who have two games in hand and host Manchester United on Sunday.

Palace, who won this fixture last season, took the lead through new signing Cenk Tosun in the 39th minute, the Turkish forward, on loan from Everton, heading home at the back post after Gary Cahill had nodded a corner across the area.

Soccer Football - Premier League - Manchester City v Crystal Palace - Etihad Stadium, Manchester, Britain - January 18, 2020 Manchester City's Sergio Aguero celebrates scoring their second goal REUTERS/Phil Noble

City dominated but wasted the chances that came their way, Bernardo Silva blasting over from inside the box and, after the interval, Raheem Sterling shooting wide after breaking into the area.

Pep Guardiola thought his side had a penalty in the 71st minute when the referee ruled Jairo Riedewald had handled a Joao Cancelo cross, but the VAR review overturned the decision after it showed the ball had struck his leg before bouncing against his arm.

City finally got on level terms in the 82nd minute when Aguero slid in at the back post to convert a Gabriel Jesus ball for his 250th goal for the club in all competitions.

Soccer Football - Premier League - Manchester City v Crystal Palace - Etihad Stadium, Manchester, Britain - January 18, 2020 Manchester City's Sergio Aguero celebrates scoring their second goal with Riyad Mahrez REUTERS/Phil Noble

Minutes later the Argentine made it 2-1 with a fine, angled header from a Benjamin Mendy cross from the left.

But Palace grabbed a point after Wilfried Zaha powered past John Stones and his cross deflected in off Fernandinho and beat City goalkeeper Ederson.

It was City's third draw of the season and, combined with their five defeats, their bid for a third straight title now seems to be mostly a case of hoping for a miracle.

Soccer Football - Premier League - Manchester City v Crystal Palace - Etihad Stadium, Manchester, Britain - January 18, 2020 Manchester City's Kevin De Bruyne in action Action Images via Reuters/Jason Cairnduff

"It was a tight game and unfortunately we could not win it," said Guardiola.

"I told them (at half-time) to keep going. Put more balls into the box and try to control Zaha on the counter-attack. It's difficult to analyse when they shoot one corner, have no more chances, and we did many times and unfortunately could not win. We take it one game at a time," said the Spaniard.

The point moves Palace up to ninth place on 30 points and Tosun, who had struggled to make an impact at Everton, was delighted with his debut goal.

Soccer Football - Premier League - Manchester City v Crystal Palace - Etihad Stadium, Manchester, Britain - January 18, 2020 Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola reacts Action Images via Reuters/Jason Cairnduff

"To score was a great feeling as a striker needs confidence, and confidence comes with scoring goals," he said.

"We played a solid game, knew City would have more possession, but we scored a good two goals and I'm just glad I got one of them.

"It's a great feeling to score a goal in my first game but more than the goal was the point - that’s what mattered today."

Soccer Football - Premier League - Manchester City v Crystal Palace - Etihad Stadium, Manchester, Britain - January 18, 2020 Manchester City's Ilkay Gundogan in action with Crystal Palace's Cenk Tosun REUTERS/Phil Noble

(Reporting by Simon Evans; Editing by Christian Radnedge and Hugh Lawson)

Soccer Football - Premier League - Manchester City v Crystal Palace - Etihad Stadium, Manchester, Britain - January 18, 2020 Crystal Palace's Cenk Tosun celebrates scoring their first goal with teammates REUTERS/Phil Noble
Soccer Football - Premier League - Manchester City v Crystal Palace - Etihad Stadium, Manchester, Britain - January 18, 2020 Manchester City's Sergio Aguero scores their first goal REUTERS/Phil Noble
Soccer Football - Premier League - Manchester City v Crystal Palace - Etihad Stadium, Manchester, Britain - January 18, 2020 Manchester City's David Silva in action with Crystal Palace's Gary Cahill REUTERS/Phil Noble
Soccer Football - Premier League - Manchester City v Crystal Palace - Etihad Stadium, Manchester, Britain - January 18, 2020 Manchester City's Ilkay Gundogan in action with Crystal Palace's Jordan Ayew REUTERS/Phil Noble
Soccer Football - Premier League - Manchester City v Crystal Palace - Etihad Stadium, Manchester, Britain - January 18, 2020 Crystal Palace's Cenk Tosun celebrates scoring their first goal Action Images via Reuters/Jason Cairnduff
Soccer Football - Premier League - Manchester City v Crystal Palace - Etihad Stadium, Manchester, Britain - January 18, 2020 Crystal Palace's Cheikhou Kouyate and Martin Kelly in action with Manchester City's Raheem Sterling Action Images via Reuters/Jason Cairnduff
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