Stones shows his value to give Pep a birthday boost
PEP GUARDIOLA celebrates his 50th birthday today with Manchester City second in the Premier League table after John Stones scored twice in an emphatic victory over Crystal Palace.
City are just two points behind leaders Manchester United and can leapfrog their neighbours if they win their game in hand.
Both teams play on Wednesday when City entertain Covid-hit Aston Villa, who haven’t fielded a full-strength side since the New Year’s Day defeat against United, while Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men visit struggling Fulham.
City dominated at the Etihad Stadium and a fifth straight league win, and eighth in all competitions, was never in doubt.
Stones broke the deadlock with his first Premier League goal for City – and his first in nearly six years – in the 26th minute, adding to his strike in the Carabao Cup semi-final victory against United earlier this month.
Kevin De Bruyne’s corner was only cleared as far as Raheem Sterling, who fed the ball back to the Belgium international and his delightful cross with the outside of his right boot was headed into the far corner by the England defender. It was De Bruyne’s 100th assist for City – 31 more than any other top-flight player in that time – and his pinpoint deliveries continued to cause problems for the Eagles rearguard before City doubled their lead 11 minutes after the restart. Palace couldn’t clear another corner and Ilkay Gundogan dispossessed Andros Townsend before curling a beautiful finish into the bottom corner from outside the area for his fourth goal in his last six top-flight appearances.
The Eagles nearly conceded an immediate third goal after confusion at the back but they were able to clear up the mess before Gabriel Jesus could pounce.
Stones, though, added his second and City’s third in the 68th minute, smashing in the rebound after Eagles goalkeeper Vicente Guaita saved superbly to deny Ruben Dias from another De Bruyne corner.
Sterling then completed the demolition two minutes from time with a stunning free-kick from the edge of the area.