Guardiola can’t stick with Stones
Gideon REPORTS Stones in midfield in the absence of the injured Fernandinho, and the call to push Ilkay Gundogan forward.
Yet it still required a huge effort of organisation from the visitors to pull off the shock, something they managed with hard work, discipline and a touch of genius from Andros Townsend, whose goal was a sublime left-foot volley from distance that left everyone open-mouthed.
Asked about a teamsheet lacking De Bruyne and Aguero in the starting XI, Townsend bristled at any implication it belittled Palace’s efforts.
“They have Gabriel Jesus up front who is equally as good and to look on the bench and see De Bruyne and Aguero coming in is just as daunting,” said Townsend. “To be 2-1 up and see those players come on you think, ‘Oh no here we go again’ but the defence and everyone held out. It was a deserved victory in terms of sticking to a game plan.”
De Bruyne left the stadium with rehab kit from the medical department, which may be routine after knee damage but suggests he is still not 100 per cent, while Aguero needs time on the pitch to regain his sharpness.
Yet it was the absence of Fernandinho, rested after feeling a slight muscle twinge in training on Friday, which proved more damaging.
City are hopeful he will be fit to play over Christmas. If not, Guardiola cannot persist with the Stones experiment at No 6, a prospect which would have Leicester on Boxing Day, a resurgent Southampton on December 30 and more importantly Klopp’s Liverpool, their hands.
Townsend insisted it was no good Palace beating City if they fail to back it up against Cardiff on Boxing Day.
“City are probably the team of our generation,” said Townsend. “I’ve never played against a team as good. That took a perfect, disciplined performance but now we have to follow this up.”
Ederson 5; Walker 3, Otamendi 4 (Aguero 50 4), Laporte 6, Delph 6 (De Bruyne 62 7); Stones 5; Sterling 5 (Mahrez 69 5), Gundogan 5, B Silva 5, Sane 5; Jesus. Gundogan 27, De Bruyne 85. Leicester (a), Boxing Day PL.
Guaita 5; Wan-Bissaka 7, Tomkins 7, Sakho 7, Van Aanholt 7; McArthur 7, Milivojevic 8, Schlupp 7, Meyer 7 (Puncheon 89); Townsend 9, Zaha 7 (Ayew 88). Guaita, Van Aanholt, Zaha, McArthur. Schlupp 33, Townsend 35, Milivojevic 51 pen. Cardiff (h), Boxing Day PL.
A Marriner (West Midlands).
MAN CITY (4-1-4-1): Goals: NEXT UP: CRYSTAL PALACE NEXT UP: Referee: (4-4-2):
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Booked: Goals: