Match Report: Palace 2 - 1 City

With all their top four rivals getting three points at the weekend it made this game against Crystal Palace that much more important to keep pace with the rest of the pack. Crystal Palace were coming into the international break on quite a run of form and were full of confidence as they tried to spoil City’s chance at three points. Two early chances for both teams fell to the wayside as Wilfried Zaha and Silva were unable to grab the opening goal goal. With Palace, a team that likes to counter attack, sitting back and letting City Hold possession well, as they do, but they just weren’t quick enough to spread the defense apart. As City set siege on the Palace goal it was the home side that would grab the first goal from a Glenn Murray tap in. Following a clearance from a corner, Palace got the ball back in the box, which found the run of Scott Dann, who looked to be in an offside position, and Murray tapped it home the chance in front of the net. Palace went into half time with the lead, 1-0.

The second half brought more glory for Crystal Palace as a beautiful free kick from Jason Puncheon was placed into the bottom corner with Joe Hart unable to get a hand on it. As the half wore it looked, at times, that the sense of urgency wasn’t there for the team. The seconds continued to tick away and you didn’t get the sense that City were going to get any goals, let alone one. But, with about 15 minutes left City kicked it into gear and almost found their goal as two Fernandinho chances were held out by a hand ball claim and a goal line clearance. In the 78th minute Yaya finally put the champions back on board with a left footed screamer from just outside the box and Speroni could do nothing to keep it out. In the end there was not enough time for City to finish off the comeback, not that it looked as if they were going to score anyway.

Same story, different game for City today. Lots of possession, minimal chances and nothing showed like we were going to get some points out of this game. Navas continues to disappoint and makes you question his inclusion in the starting 11 every time he goes out on the pitch. I know what he brings to the side, but when his attributes aren’t producing anything, it makes you wonder why he is in the lineup over a Nasri or Milner. Pressure remains as City need to stay in the top four, and with the form the way it is, things could get interesting at the end of the season. Huge game at the weekend, not only because it's the Manchester derby but it would put City ahead of United with a much needed boost in confidence.