{"id":25510,"date":"2022-03-14T17:50:00","date_gmt":"2022-03-14T21:50:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/irishexaminerusa.com\/wp\/?p=25510"},"modified":"2022-03-16T15:52:43","modified_gmt":"2022-03-16T19:52:43","slug":"manchester-city-held-by-crystal-palace-at-selhurst-park","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/irishexaminerusa.com\/wp\/?p=25510","title":{"rendered":"Manchester City Held By Crystal Palace At Selhurst Park"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"\"
Liverpool\u2019s title hopes got a boost as the defending champions failed to pick up three points (PA Images)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Manchester City drew a blank at Crystal Palace in a goalless draw which blows the Premier League title race wide open.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With Liverpool coasting to victory at Brighton on Saturday, City failed to restore their six-point lead as a spirited Palace display saw them earn a deserved share of the spoils.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The result leaves City four points clear at the summit but the reigning champions have played a game more than Liverpool \u2013 who are away at in-form Arsenal on Wednesday night \u2013 with Jurgen Klopp\u2019s side still to travel to the Etihad Stadium next month.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

City, with the same starting line-up that eased to victory over Manchester United eight days ago, huffed and puffed but could not find a way through.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Eagles may remain without a home win since beating Norwich in December but this will feel like a victory for Patrick Vieira, who also masterminded a 2-0 success in the reverse fixture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For all their possession, City created a couple of issues of their own making, Aymeric Laporte dispossessed by Conor Gallagher before the visitors again ceded possession leading to Michael Olise\u2019s shot flashing wide of the far post.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

City were almost in soon after. Vicente Guaita spilled a Kevin De Bruyne strike, only for Bernardo Silva to attempt to skip past the Palace goalkeeper from the rebound but instead run the ball out of play.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Palace were still in the fight as Jean-Philippe Mateta broke behind the City backline and saw his shot deflected behind.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

John Stones hit a long-range effort at the other end which was also blocked for a corner, Palace breaking from the set-piece with Olise and Mateta combining only for the latter to slip as he tried to get his shot away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

City were now turning the screw, Joao Cancelo smacking the post from long-range, before Laporte thrashed the rebound high and wide with the goal gaping.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Riyad Mahrez, with 13 goals in his last 17 games, was next to pass up a great chance, shooting straight at Guaita when an effort anywhere else would have broken the deadlock.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Algerian again came close, arrowing just over in the final minute of a first-half that somehow ended goalless.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cheikhou Kouyate could not make meaningful contact with a header just six yards from Ederson\u2019s goal as the second half began in a similar fashion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Palace goal was living a charmed life, De Bruyne striking the inside of a post and Mahrez\u2019s follow-up brilliantly saved by a recovering Guaita.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For all their chances, City began to toil as Palace held firm \u2013 even as their counter-attack opportunities lessened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bernardo failed to make contact with a Jack Grealish cross when just four yards out, with Guardiola unmoved and his substitutes still warming up along the touchline.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Palace were starting to tire but their resolute performance was keeping them in the contest as the game entered the final stages.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite that, substitute Odsonne Edouard broke free but could only shoot at the legs of a defender while Wilfried Zaha stung the palms of Ederson.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

City could not muster a late goal, Laporte unable to turn home a free-kick before a mishap at the other end almost let in Gallagher.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The result means the title race is now finely-poised, with Liverpool next to stake their claim when they visit the capital in less than 48 hours.<\/p>\n

Share this:<\/h3>