Home Football Manchester City were held to a 2-2 draw at home by Crystal Palace after going up 2-0

Manchester City were held to a 2-2 draw at home by Crystal Palace after going up 2-0

Football — 12/17/2023

Michael Olise struck a penalty deep into additional time as Crystal Palace rallied from 2-0 down to earn a 2-2 draw against Premier League champions Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium.

Manchester City 2-2 Crystal Palace: Last-gasp Michael Olise penalty sees Eagles come from two down to snatch point - Eurosport

On 24 minutes, Jack Grealish scored his third goal in three games as City attempted to move into second place in the table, before Rico Lewis hammered home his first Premier League goal from inside the box for City’s second on 54 minutes.

Jean-Philippe Mateta started the unexpected Palace comeback on 76 minutes, scoring from close range off a brilliant Jeffrey Schlupp cross.

And Mateta earned his team a penalty when he was obviously taken out late by Phil Foden with only minutes left on the clock, stunning City fans who had seen their team dominate possession and chances but fail to strike a game-winning third goal.

With City missing the injured Erling Haaland once more, it was Grealish who combined with Foden to give his side a merited lead, sliding the ball into the corner of the net following his England teammate’s perfect assist.

However, rather than moving up to second place, City now find themselves in fourth place, three points behind leaders Liverpool, who visit Manchester United at Anfield on Sunday.

Pep Guardioa’s side, who had drew with Liverpool (1-1) and Tottenham (3-3) in their previous league fixtures, will travel to Saudi Arabia on Tuesday evening for the FIFA Club World Cup and a semi-final against Japan’s Urawa Reds. On December 27, they travel to Everton in the Premier League.

Wasteful Manchester City drop points again in latest title race twist | The Independent

PLAYER OF THE MATCH: RICO LEWIS (MANCHESTER CITY)

For City, he was given a start in midfield ahead of Mateo Kovacic, and he did not disappoint with a mature performance alongside Rodri at the center of the action for the home side, scoring his first Premier League goal for his boyhood club.

Lewis appeared to have sealed the three points for his team with a magnificent finish early in the second half, but the late, late chaotic run of play that gifted Palace a point should not be overlooked.

PLAYER RATINGS

Manchester City: Ederson 6, Walker 7, Dias 7, Ake 7, Gvardiol 7, Rodri 7, Lewis 8, Silva 7, Foden 6, Grealish 7, Alvarez 6 Subs: Stones 6

Crystal Palace: Henderson 8, Ward 6, Anderson 7, Guehil 7, Clyne 7, Mitchell 6, Riedewald 6, Richards 6, Olise 8, Schlupp 7, Mateta 8 Subs: Eze 7, Franca 7, Ahamada 7, Ozoh 7