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Goals from Antoine Semenyo, Omar Marmoush, and Rayan Cherki bagged all three points for Manchester City.
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City remain two points behind Arsenal, requiring the Gunners to drop points against either Burnley or Crystal Palace to retain hope of winning the Premier League.
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City now turn attentions to the FA Cup Final against Chelsea on Saturday afternoon.
Manchester City kept their slender Premier League title hopes alive on Wednesday night, dispatching Crystal Palace 3-0 on a rain-soaked evening at the Etihad Stadium.
A much-rotated City looked disjointed in the early exchanges, but Phil Foden‘s wonderful back-heel assist for Antoine Semenyo to score was a catalyst for the tempo to rise, and Foden was again on hand to create Omar Marmoush‘s second league goal in as many games.
A second-half of very little action put paid to Manchester City’s hopes of running up a goal difference advantage to put more pressure on Arsenal, but substitute Rayan Cherki did manage to lay on a third for Savinho to finish and seal a successful evening for the Blues.
Pep Guardiola‘s teamsheet, as has so often been the case, took an unfamiliar shape and you could be forgiven for thinking the City players didn’t quite know where they were playing themselves as Palace burst through inside two minutes and bundled over the line via Jean-Philippe Mateta – the flag went up belatedly against Brennan Johnson.
City had the territory but struggled to create early chances, with Palace proving to be their usual threat on the counter-attack; the returning Josko Gvardiol was needed to block Yeremy Pino‘s shot just wide, then Chris Richards headed narrowly over from the resulting corner.
One of the surprising aspects of the City line-up was Rayan Ait-Nouri‘s deployment on the left-wing, but the Algerian forced the Blues’ first proper opening as he bundled through a challenge into the box. His weak-footed shot only found the side-netting.
The first half-hour was as dour as can be inside the Etihad Stadium, and it always looked like it needed a moment of genius to liven things up. That’s exactly what Foden produced as he provided an exceptional back-heel assist into Semenyo, whose clinical finish ended his six-game scoring drought in the Premier League.
Palace had an immediate chance to respond beaten away by Gianluigi Donnarumma from Tyrick Mitchell‘s shot, but City seemed to have been kicked into life and should have doubled their advantage when Savinho fed Marmoush after a quick break; the Egyptian took too long over his finish though and the visitors cleared.
It wasn’t long before the striker got himself on the scoresheet though. Gvardiol clipped a delightful pass into Foden in the box, and the midfielder hooked the bouncing ball on for City’s no.7 to hold off Jaydee Canvot and shoot in via the leg of Dean Henderson.
It was nearly three and a hat-trick of assists for Foden before half-time too, as Gvardiol was denied a comeback goal by Henderson, who sensationally stretched to tip away the Croatian’s header.
A remarkably unremarkable second-half followed, with one of the few openings for either team seeing Bernardo Silva sell a pass short and allow substitute Ismaila Sarr in at an angle, but the Senegalese put it straight down the throat of Donnarumma.
A host of substitutions from both sides threatened to kill off the game for good, but it was one of City’s changes who created their third. Cherki drove from inside his own half under very little Palace pressure, and perfectly played in Savinho to finish beyond Henderson.
A comfortable win in the end for City puts them back within two points of Arsenal with two games remaining, and sets them up perfectly for Saturday’s FA Cup final against Chelsea. Here’s how we rated the players in Manchester City’s professional victory over Crystal Palace!
Player Ratings
Starting XI
Gianluigi Donnarumma – 7
Made a fair fist of saving Mateta’s close-range effort, before it was ultimately disallowed anyway. Had little to do other than a smart save from Mitchell, and nearly handing Palace a goal back when his giveaway ended up with Daichi Kamada diving in trying to earn a penalty.
Matheus Nunes – 7
Did diligent work to both hold his defensive position and to support the play, with the midfield somewhat lacking in bodies. Being rested before the hour mark is testament to how important he’s become to this City team.
Abdukodir Khusanov – 7.5
The physical discomfort which ruled him out against Brentford did little to slow down City’s runaway train of a defender here. Swept up whatever Palace managed to put in behind during the Blues’ nervy start to the game, and played with ease thereafter.
Marc Guehi – 7
Rarely troubled by anything his former side could throw at him. Played out from the back with comfort too.
Josko Gvardiol – 7
Few expected him to be ready for a starting spot so early into his return from long-term injury – so naturally, Pep Guardiola returned him to just about the most physically demanding role he could ask for! Looked commendably sharp in his running and decision-making before being afforded an early substitution.
Bernardo Silva – 8
Even with just three games remaining of his Manchester City career, he’s still pulling off new feats. Probably the first time in his career he’s played as a lone defensive midfielder, but aside from one pass nearly letting Palace in for a goal, he did the job as professionally and skilfully as he has everything else in his nine years at the Etihad.
Phil Foden – 8.5 (POTM)
A performance he sorely needed. City’s lack of midfield bodies meant he saw plenty of the ball in the engine room – just as he likes it – and he used it to full effect, producing all sorts of chances, flicks and two assists.
Savinho – 7.5
Frustrated at times with his first-half decision-making, but impressively wriggled out of some tight spaces and dutifully held the width on the right. A decent finish for his goal is more of what every City fan wants to see from him.
Antoine Semenyo – 7.5
The role of holding up and laying off the ball seemed to suit him better than the more intricate wing-play which has been required of him recently. Took his goal sharply.
Rayan Ait-Nouri – 7
Ever-willing to get forward from his natural left-back berth, it was nonetheless unexpected to see him line-up in attack from the start. Worked hard to make his influence on the flank and threaten Palace.
Omar Marmoush – 7.5
Played the Erling Haaland role to near-perfection, in that he was largely kept out of the game, produced some nice touches on the occasions he was able to get involved, and tucked away a very tidy finish.
Substitutes
Nathan Ake – 6.5
Covered well against passes in behind.
Jeremy Doku – 6
Not quite the fireworks from City’s man of the moment this time. Was doubled up on very effectively by Palace and mostly just held the width.
Mateo Kovacic – 6.5
Pressed a little high out of position at times, but showed his skills on the ball too.
Rayan Cherki – 7
Created a goal out of nothing for Savinho.
John Stones – N/A
