LUCKY CITY CAN BE BEATEN

Hodgson gives hope to the chasing pack

ROY HODGSON has given the rest of the Premier League a glimmer of hope for 2018.

Hodgson’s side showed that Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City can be brought down to earth by a team with the right attitude – and a player like the brilliant Wilfried Zaha.

Crystal Palace could – and should – have won it after Zaha earned a dubious penalty in added time, provoking a push from Raheem Sterling in the box and then tumbling over.

Feat

But Luka Milivojevic fluffed it, striking a weak effort at Ederson, who kept it out with a hand and then a foot.

The save protected Guardiola’s unbeaten league record this season, but yesterday’s draw stopped him matching his feat at Bayern Munich in 2014 when he steered the German side to 19 straight wins, the best seen in Europe’s top five leagues.

Palace also became the first team to stop City from scoring in the top flight since Manchester United drew 0-0 at the Etihad eight months ago.

They were superbly drilled by exEngland boss Hodgson, gave their absolute all in every area of the pitch and were dangerous on the break. That was thanks, nearly in full, to the excellence of striker Zaha.

Palace say he is not for sale but in today’s climate his current value must be way over £100m.

Guardiola’s men were way off their imperious best, except in defence.

Their best chance in the first half was a Sergio Aguero shot, deflected off Palace defender Martin Kelly, which struck a post.

After the break Eagles keeper Wayne Hennessey kept out a Leroy Sane halfvolley with his face. But that was about as good as it got.

Palace always looked threatening when Zaha was on the ball and he set up Andros Townsend in both halves, with the former England winger seeing his first effort blocked and sending the second one from just 10 yards out about the same distance over the bar. Even after the last-ditch penalty miss there was controversy, with substitute Jason Puncheon chopping down and injuring Kevin De Bruyne with a shocking challenge as City broke in search of a winner.

Serious

De Bruyne had to be carried off, as did Puncheon, although the Belgian later reported he was okay.

Puncheon got a yellow card but it should have been a red.

Most worrying of all for City was the loss of Gabriel Jesus early on to what could be a serious medial ligament injury. But if any squad can