Manchester City are back within five points of league leaders Liverpool after recording a brilliant 2-0 victory over Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park on Saturday evening.
City boss Guardiola avoided the banana skin of losing to the only English manager to have beaten him when his brilliant side humbled Roy Hugson’s Palace in Match Day 9 of the EPL.
In Pep Guardiola’s managerial league career, the only English manager he’s ever lost to is Crystal Palace’s Roy Hodgson (2-3 at the Etihad, December 2018) but there was to be no repeat of such as the champions claimed a fine 2-0 win.
Gabriel Jesus and David Silva got the goals that condemned a spirited Palace side to a 2-0 defeat on Saturday.
Two goals in under two minutes gave City a 2-0 lead at half-time and restored the champions back as Liverpool’s main challengers after Chelsea – who won 1-0 at home to Newcastle earlier – had momentarily knocked the Citizens into third place.
City came into the game sitting eight points behind league leaders Liverpool and in search of the points to help close the gap to five with a win.
But in the Eagles, the champions face a side whose form had placed them sixth in the Premier League, having won four of their last six games in the league, including their last two outings.
However, City dominated the early proceedings and created some very good chances but the breakthrough didn’t come until the 39th minute when Gabriel Jesus dived forward to head his effort against the far post and over the line.
David Silva then doubled their lead 93 seconds later when he volleyed Sterling’s chipped pass through Hennessey’s legs and into the back of the net.
The second half was played at an even frenetic pace though there was no goals to show for it.
The game opened up as it wore on with Crystal Palace daring to go forward in the hunt for a consolation goal.
Ederson tipped Benteke’s header somehow on to the bar with a fine stop. Moments later, City sprang forward on the counter but Jesus opted to shoot rather than pick-out the un-marked De Bruyne for a tap-in.
But the Citizens had done just enough to gather all three points and seal yet another fine day at the office.
