- Manchester City were held to a 2-2 draw by Crystal Palace, with Rico Lewis scoring and later being sent off for a late challenge
- Despite Erling Haaland and Lewis equalising twice, City’s missed chances and defensive lapses allowed Palace to secure a point
- Palace’s Lacroix and Munoz delivered standout performances, while the referee’s controversial final whistle left City players frustrated
Manchester City’s Premier League title challenge took another hit as Pep Guardiola's men were held to a dramatic 2-2 draw by Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park. Despite a midweek victory over Nottingham Forest, City failed to capitalise on their momentum, slipping further behind in the title race.
The match began swiftly, with Crystal Palace striking first. Colombian international Munoz, who had struggled to find the net since joining the Eagles, opened the scoring in the fourth minute.
A precise through ball from Will Hughes found Munoz, who fired under Stefan Ortega to give the home side an early lead.
City responded fast as Erling Haaland stepped up to equalise in the 30th minute. The Norwegian striker rose above the defence to loop a header over Dean Henderson. However, the visitors squandered further chances as Ilkay Gundogan, Haaland, and Savinho missed clear opportunities.
Palace reclaimed their lead early in the second half, with Lacroix heading home his first goal for the club. Hughes provided another key assist, delivering a pinpoint corner that the Frenchman converted after outjumping Kyle Walker.
Manchester City’s determination paid off in the 68th minute, as Bernardo Silva's clever reverse pass set up Rico Lewis for a stunning equaliser. The 20-year-old defender hammered a ferocious shot into the top corner, bringing life into a frustrated Guardiola’s side.
However, Lewis's heroics were overshadowed by his dismissal later in the game. After earning a yellow card in the 70th minute, the youngster was shown a second yellow after some minutes for a rash challenge on Trevoh Chalobah, reducing City to ten men.
Despite mounting pressure in the closing stages, City couldn’t find a winner. Their frustrations went overboard when the referee blew the final whistle while they were still on the attack, leaving Guardiola and his players visibly angered.
The result leaves Manchester City with plenty to ponder as they drop off more points in the Premier League title race. Meanwhile, Crystal Palace can celebrate another resilient performance against a top-tier opponent at Selhurst Park.
Man City faces uncertain future as Guardiola holds his cards to his chest
Previously, TheRadar reported that Manchester City’s future hangs in the balance as Pep Guardiola talks about the upcoming departure of Txiki Begiristain, the club’s long-serving director of football.
While Begiristain’s influence will be missed, Guardiola is also facing questions about his own future. With his contract expiring at the end of the current 2024/2025 season, the Spanish manager has hinted at being “closer to leaving than staying” after securing City’s historic fourth consecutive Premier League title in May.
