Pep to step up bid
cope with the loss of a Brazilian superstar for a couple of months, it’s surely City’s.
Hodgson and Guardiola gave each other a massive hug at the final whistle after Palace made it just one defeat in 10.
City’s lead now stands at “just” 14 points ahead of reigning champions Chelsea.
Who knows, if a few other clubs – starting with Watford tomorrow – can show similar resolve, commitment and genuine ambition, then City could yet have a wobble before the end of the season.
It was telling yesterday how frustrated the likes of De Bruyne, Sane and defender Kyle Walker were at times. Sane was booked for kicking the ball away after being pulled up for a foul.
In short, this match showed that Guardiola’s seemingly unstoppable side are human after all.
They still have the chance to match Arsenal’s “Invincibles” of 2003-04 by going through the entire Premier League campaign unbeaten.
That season, the closest Arsene Wenger’s team came to being beaten was when they won a dodgy penalty in a 1-1 draw against Portsmouth.
Perhaps yesterday’s suspect spotkick will be the nearest anyone gets to City this season. CRYSTAL PALACE (4-4-2): Hennessey 8; Riedewald 8, Tomkins 8, Dann 7 (Kelly 20, 8), Van Aanholt 8; Townsend 6, Cabaye 7 (Puncheon 76, 6, Lee 90), Milivojevic 7, Fosu-Mensah 7; Benteke 6, ZAHA 9. Subs: Speroni, Souare, Kaikai, Delaney. UP NEXT: Southampton (a), Premier League, tomorrow. MANCHESTER CITY (4-3-3): Ederson 8; Walker 7, Mangala 7, OTAMENDI 8, Danilo 7; De Bruyne 7, Fernandinho 7, Gundogan 6 (Sterling 57, 6); B Silva 6 (Toure 81), Jesus 6 (Aguero 23, 6), Sane 6. Subs: Bravo, Stones, Adarabioyo, Zinchenko. UP NEXT: Watford (h), Premier League, tomorrow. Referee: Jonathan Moss 6. YOUR TURN: Which midfielder scored both goals in City’s 2-1 win at Palace last season?