Manchester City closed the gap on Premier League leaders Arsenal with a 3-0 victory over Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park, as Erling Haaland’s brace and Phil Foden’s fine finish secured Pep Guardiola’s side a fifth successive win in all competitions.
Arsenal’s dramatic late triumph over Wolves had piled pressure on City to respond, and despite a sluggish start, the champions delivered. Palace, buoyed by their FA Cup final win over City earlier this year, looked dangerous in the opening exchanges. Yeremy Pino rattled the crossbar after racing clear of the defence, while Gianluigi Donnarumma was called into action to deny the winger again.
City struggled to find rhythm until the 41st minute, when Matheus Nunes whipped in a precise cross that Haaland met with a towering header to break the deadlock. Donnarumma preserved the lead with key saves from Jean-Philippe Mateta, while Adam Wharton struck the post as Palace pressed for an equaliser.
Guardiola’s frustration was evident on the touchline, particularly with Jeremy Doku sidelined through injury, but Foden eased tensions midway through the second half. Rayan Cherki’s surging run opened space, and Foden drilled a low shot past Dean Henderson for his sixth league goal in four matches.
Haaland sealed the win in the closing stages, converting from the penalty spot after Henderson fouled Savinho. The Norwegian now has 23 goals in all competitions this season, underlining his pivotal role in City’s title pursuit.
The result leaves City just two points behind Arsenal heading into the busy festive period, while Palace, who had won four of their previous six league games, were left to rue missed opportunities in a contest where City’s clinical finishing proved decisive.
