Guardiola aiming for Champions League places
Pep Guardiola says Manchester City’s aim is to “secure a place” in the Champions League next season after their faint title hopes were dealt another blow by a resolute Crystal Palace side in a 2-2 draw yesterday.
Fernandinho’s 90th-minute own goal ensured the Eagles claimed a draw at Etihad Stadium in a remarkable conclusion to the game.
The result leaves champions City 13 points behind Premier League leaders Liverpool.
Two Sergio Aguero goals in the last 10 minutes had turned a thrilling contest on its head - and looked set to earn City victory - after Cenk Tosun had given the Eagles a first-half lead. “We did everything to win the game and unfortunately in the end we lost two points because we could not stop the counter attack,” said the City boss.
“But we have to continue, there are still a lot of games to play. We have to try to secure the place for the Champions League next season.”
Palace had the final word, however, when Wilfried Zaha stole down the left and put in a low cross that Fernandinho reached before Connor Wickham, only to divert the ball into his own net.
What happened
For long stages it appeared City would end up empty-handed, as they struggled to break down a brilliantly organised Palace side.
Kevin de Bruyne fired a first-half free-kick against the underside of the bar with the score at 0-0 but, for all the home side’s possession, they found clear-cut chances hard to come by.
Palace, meanwhile, hardly ventured forward until they scored and their defensive outlook was so entrenched, the City fans booed James McArthur for time-wasting as he walked over to take the corner that led to their first goal.
When the ball did come over, Gary Cahill out jumped John Stones at the back post and Tosun was unmarked to steer his knockdown into the corner.
That silenced an already subdued stadium, with the home fans frustrated further after the break when referee Graham Scott pointed to the spot for a Jairo Riedewald handball, only for the video assistant referee to overrule the decision. Replays showed the ball came off the defender’s foot first as he blocked Joao Cancelo’s cross.
It took Aguero to lead the rescue mission, with his first goal - his 250th for the club - coming when he turned home a Gabriel Jesus cross, before his second saw him expertly nod home a Benjamin Mendy delivery.
That should have settled the outcome but Zaha had other ideas, sending in a dangerous delivery that Fernandinho could only help home to preserve their five-game unbeaten run.