March 11, (THEWILL) – Manchester City secured a narrow 1-0 win against Crystal Palace on Saturday evening, closing the gap on English Premier League leaders Arsenal to just two points ahead of the Gunners’ tie against Fulham.
Erling Haaland’s second-half penalty proved to be the difference in a game with few clear-cut chances for either side. Palace failed to register a single effort on target for the third consecutive game, an unenviable EPL record.
City started brightly, with Rodri forcing a save from the Palace goalkeeper from a corner before the hosts had even completed a pass. However, Palace weathered the storm and clogged up the midfield, frustrating City’s attack.
Guardiola’s charges tried to combat the strategy by rotating positions but were unable to replicate the fluid attacking play of previous seasons. It was not until the 75th minute that City were able to break the deadlock, thanks to a collective lapse in concentration from Palace. Ilkay Gundogan was left unmarked in the box and was brought down by Michael Olise, with Haaland converting the resulting penalty.
City were able to hold on for the win, extending Palace’s winless start to 2023. City now turn their attention to the UEFA Champions League, where they host Leipzig on Tuesday, while Palace travel to Brighton & Hove Albion on Wednesday.
About the Author
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
