City reduced Arsenal's lead at the top of the Premier League to just two points with a 3-0 win over Crystal Palace.
City dominated from start to finish – save for the odd Palace attack – and went into the break with goals from Antoine Semenyo and Omar Marmoush giving Pep Guardiola’s side a two-goal lead.
Savinho added a late third to make it 3-0 in what was an enjoyable evening for a City team that will now look forward to this weekend’s FA Cup final against Chelsea.
The Game in 250 words
City almost fell behind after two minutes when Jean-Phillippe Mateta’s shot crossed the line only for the offside flag to deny the visitors the lead.
With so many changes made, the Blues struggled to find rhythm early on against a Palace side who were happy to drop deep and defend in numbers.
As heavy rain fell at the Etihad, the first half-hour passed without incident.
On 32 minutes however, a lovely pass from Phil Foden and a smart angled low shot from Antoine Semenyo and City were finally ahead.
It was the 100th Premier League goal involvement by Foden and eight minutes later, he had his 101st as he helped on Josko Gvardiol’s cross from the left and Omar Marmoush did the rest, burying a low shot from close range to make it 2-0.
The impressive Gvardiol then saw a towering header brilliantly clawed out by Dean Henderson just before the break in a bright and breezy finish to the half by the Blues.
In control and continually probing, the Blues looked for what would surely be a killer third goal without creating too many clearcut opportunities.
A raft of substitutions was made by both sides – including a rapturous welcome for John Stones whose name had rang around the Etihad for most of the game – and the game seemed to be edging towards a sanguine conclusion.
But Rayan Cherki had other ideas and just minutes after his introduction, his burst forward and perfectly-weighted pass found Savinho who neatly placed the ball past Henderson to wrap up the points.
Next up, Chelsea!
OPENER: Semenyo scores his ninth City goal of the season
Player of the Match
Bright and inventive from start to finish, Phil Foden sparkled throughout the victory over Palace.
His two assists gave the Blues a vital cushion going into the break and he was a constant threat to the Palace defence.
An excellent all-round performance by our talented play-maker who looks set to end the campaign on a high.
LINE-UPS
CITY: Donnarumma, Nunes (Ake 58), Khusanov, Guéhi, Gvardiol (Doku 58), Ait-Nouri, Bernardo (Kovacic 80), Foden (Stones 82) , Semenyo, Savinho, Marmoush (Cherki 80)
Subs: Trafford, Dias, Reijnders, Haaland
PALACE: Henderson (C), Munoz (Clyne 81), Richards, Lacroix, Canvot, Mitchell, Lerma, Hughes (Wharton 60), Johnson, Pino (Sarr 60), Mateta (Strand Larsen 60)
Subs: Benitez,, Kamada, Riad, Devenny, Cardines
ATTENDANCE: 51,738
City keep the pressure on
There were questions asked when City’s starting XI showed six changes from the side that beat Brentford at the weekend.
One was whether Pep Guardiola was prioritising the FA Cup over keeping our title hopes alive.
Prior to the game, he said, “I never prioritise any competition. We need all our players for the games that remain.”
More fool the doubters as he paced up and down the touchline like a caged tiger.
His team, six changes or not, duly delivered.
And several others will have had the benefit of a midweek rest as we head to Wembley in buoyant mood.
What it also means is that the Blues are still in the title race.
The aim is to push Arsenal to the final day when anything could happen.
That’s all Pep will ask of his players – and though we have a tough away game at Bournemouth still to come and then Aston Villa at home – this City team will be fighting to the end.
As always.
What it means…
City move onto 77 points, just two behind leaders Arsenal.
Both teams have two games to play and this victory means the Blues also now have a slightly better goal difference than the Gunners.
What’s next?
There is the small matter of the FA Cup final this weekend…
City travel to Wembley to take on Chelsea on Saturday 16 May with a kick-off of 15:00 (UK).
The Blues will looking to win a domestic cup double for the second time – an achievement only Liverpool have managed.
View full table
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