Jesus boost for Pep’s City

– Gabriel Jesus’ (above) return has come at a good time for Manchester City as they seek to move closer to Champions League qualification by beating Crystal Palace at home today.

The Brazilian striker, 20, has made two appearances since recovering from a broken foot sustained at Bournemouth in February.

Having seen a goal disallowed in a 0-0 draw against Manchester United, he grabbed a late equaliser in a 2-2 draw at Middlesbrough last weekend after being promoted from the bench to the starting line-up.

With Sergio Aguero struggling to recover from a groin problem, there is every chance that Jesus will start again as City look to consolidate their top-four position.

They are just one point clear of fifth-placed Manchester United, who visit out-of-form Arsenal tomorrow, and manager Pep Guardiola knows there is little room for error with only four league matches to play.

Guardiola’s season has hit trouble lately, with those two league draws following an FA Cup semi-final defeat against Arsenal at Wembley.

Indeed, City have won just two of their last eight matches in all competitions.

The manager, though, has been lifted by the prospect of David Silva’s return from a knee injury sustained during the Wembley defeat.

But whatever the next few weeks bring for City, captain Vincent Kompany believes the club are heading in the right direction.

“Finish strongly now and we give ourselves something to look forward to next season,” Kompany said.

Palace manager Sam Allardyce admitted his side’s heavy schedule caught up with them when they lost 2-0 at home to Burnley last weekend, leaving them on 38 points.

Allardyce believes his side will avoid getting drawn back into the bottom three, although he has conceded the Eagles need one more victory to erase any lingering relegation fears.

“We can’t afford to make the same sort of mistakes we did against Burnley,” he said. –

Manchester