Manchester City kept their Premier League title hopes alive with a commanding 3-0 victory over Crystal Palace on Wednesday, cutting the gap to league leaders Arsenal to just two points with two matches left in the season.
Pep Guardiola’s side moved to 77 points, while Arsenal remain on 79, ensuring the title race will go down to the wire. Although City still require Arsenal to slip up in one of their remaining fixtures, the defending champions showed complete focus and composure in a dominant display at home.
The breakthrough arrived in the 32nd minute when Antoine Semenyo finished calmly into the bottom corner after a clever backheel assist from Phil Foden opened up the Palace defence. City doubled their advantage eight minutes later through Omar Marmoush, who reacted quickly inside the box after another Foden involvement and curled his effort into the far corner.
Foden’s two assists marked the first occasion in his Premier League career that he had created multiple goals before half-time in a single match.
The third goal came late in the game when Savinho collected a precise through ball from Rayan Cherki and slotted home from close range to seal a comfortable victory.
City knew anything less than a win would have handed Arsenal the opportunity to secure their first league crown in over two decades with victory against relegated Burnley on Monday. Instead, Guardiola’s men ensured the pressure remains firmly on the leaders.
With Saturday’s FA Cup final against Chelsea looming, Guardiola rotated heavily and made six changes to his starting lineup, including leaving top scorer Erling Haaland out of the side. Despite the changes, City controlled proceedings throughout and rarely looked troubled.
The home side dominated possession with 72 percent of the ball and registered 15 shots compared to Palace’s six. Defender Josko Gvardiol, making his first start since recovering from a tibial fracture suffered in January, nearly added another goal before halftime, but Palace goalkeeper Dean Henderson produced an excellent save to deny his header.
The win also extended City’s unbeaten run in the league to mid-January, adding further drama to a title race that had appeared destined for Arsenal for much of the campaign.
City next travel to face AFC Bournemouth before ending their season at home against Aston Villa on May 24. If Arsenal defeat Burnley, City will need another victory against a Bournemouth side currently enjoying a 16-match unbeaten streak to keep their hopes alive.
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