Manchester City beat Crystal Palace 4-0 and, with one game less, they get to two points Manchester United, the leader of the Premier League.
Those led by Pep Guardiola came out with a 4-3-3, with the return of Gabriel Jesus to the starting eleven.
Roy Hodgson’s team was initially formed with a 4-4-2 without the presence of Wilfried Zaha, his most unbalancing player. During the game the lineup was changing to a 4-1-4-1 with the intention of defender with more players the continuous attacks of the City.
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City managed to open the scoring in the first half
The match started with a ball control of the local set. The visitors tried to go out playing but possession did not last long. In the first 20 minutes, the Palace was doing a great job to neutralize City’s game in the last third.
However, at 25 minutes, the first goal of the Citizens. Sterling started the move with a cross pass to De Bruyne. The Belgian had time to collect his pass, and with the outside of his right boot, he launched a cross towards Stones that connected a big header impossible to stop.
The City was looking for it and lost many minutes in getting it. De Bruyne, once again very important in this team, reached his seventh assist In the season. The goal reassured to the locals, while ruined the defensive strategy that the Glazers.
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In the second half, the locals overwhelmed the rival
City got off to a good start in the second half. The locals continued setting the pace, but the second goal still did not arrive. However, 12 minutes into the second half, the Citizens they managed to put two goals up. The ball fell to Gundogan after a corner, he fought it with Townsend, settled it on the right and took a direct whip into the goal. Guaita was close to touching her, but could not do anything.
Despite the difference on the scoreboard, Crystal Palace showed no signs of giving up. City slept the game and until then barely saw how they reached the area. At 23 minutes, the home team spread the result with another John Stones goal. De Bruyne launched a cross, the English finished off and Guaita cleared. Again, after a shot from Ruben Dias, he took advantage of the rebound and scored the third.
After sentencing the game, Guardiola reserved two of his most important men in the center of the field: Gundogan and De Bruyne. Likewise, City continued to possess the ball without any rush to attack. The visitors were totally blocked in attack and did not even press.
About the end of the game, the fourth goal for Sky Blues through Raheem Sterling who converted from a free kick.
The locals dominated the game from start to finish. So far they won everyone the matches (5) they played in 2021. On Wednesday they will face Aston Villa in a match pending on Date N ° 1. If they get the victory, will be the new leaders of the Premier League.
The visiting team only won a match of the last eight they played. Fortunately they are once drop points. They will only play again on Tuesday 26 against West Ham in local condition.
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