Manchester City maintains its firm pulse in the Premier League. Thanks to the two goals and an assist from the magician Kevin De Bruyne in their visit to Crystal Palace (2-4), Pep Guardiola’s team is equal at the top of the table with Liverpool and puts pressure on the Reds, who visit Old Trafford this Sunday (4:30 p.m.), and Arsenal, who face Brighton (6:30 p.m.).
The Belgian genius has already scored four goals and 12 assists so far in 2024. Theirs was the 1-1 draw, the assist at 1-3 and the great goal at 1-4.
City did not let up, despite the fact that in Selhurst Park (London) they began suffering and in tow with a goal from Mateta in the 3rd minute taking advantage of a mistake by Stones.
Stones fell asleep when the ball was taken, Crystal Palace stole the ball to launch the counterattack and the French striker did not forgive in the one-on-one against Stefan Ortega, who was defending City’s goal.
The London team’s joy did not last long because up front Kevin De Bruyne began to shine. The Belgian midfielder created a superb goal to tie the game 10 minutes later.
Grealish, from the baseline, handed it over to De Bruyne, who oriented outwards looking for the vertical of the area, settled the ball and launched a very powerful shot that entered the opposite corner, tracing a beautiful arc. In 12 minutes, City began their comeback.
Just after the break, in the 47th minute, Grealish started the play that resulted in 1-2. The English winger put a measured cross into the heart of the area, where Rico Lewis stopped and hit the post with his right foot.
City was already plugged in. He pierced the London defense on the wings. Grealish was a torment. Like Kevin De Bruyne. Between the Birmingham player and the Belgian they made it 1-3. The winger changed the strategy, now assisting towards the baseline for De Bruyne, who gave way to the center upon the arrival of the giant Haaland, who only had to put his left leg to score. It was the 66th minute and City were already on track to victory. It was the Norwegian’s 19th goal in the Premier this season.
The blow came from De Bruyne in another superb play, with the omnipresent Grealish and the collaboration of Rodri. The English winger cut down a Crystal Palace defender, stepped on it, touched it for the Spanish pivot, who only had to give in behind for the Belgian, who hit a very hard shot close to the post: 1-4 in the 70th minute.
In the final stretch, with City reserving strength thinking about the Champions League match against Madrid on Tuesday at the Bernabeu, Crystal Palace covered up the defeat with Odsonne Edouard’s 4-2 score (m. 86).
