World domination beckons, but problems exist closer to home for Guardiola and Manchester City
CLOSURE: The performance was really good, but at the end we were not able to close the games.
For a team that is already Premier League and European champions, and which could soon be crowned kings of the world, Manchester City are not without their problems.
A smattering of boos greeted the final whistle at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday after Pep Guardiola’s side threw away a two-goal lead, and with it two more precious Premier League points, drawing 2-2 with a Crystal Palace team that could hardly believe its luck.
It may be stretching it to say that supporters’ frustrations are growing - their ire here more likely directed at referee Paul Tierney, who awarded the late penalty from which Michael Olise secured Palace’s point - but it is clear that, for now at least, all is not as it should be with Guardiola’s serial winners.
A look at the numbers tells you that. City won 23 consecutive home games between January and November but have now drawn three of their last four. They have gone three home league games without a win for the first time in seven years, have kept only one clean sheet in 11 league matches and they have taken only seven of the last 18 points on offer, losing ground on both Liverpool and Arsenal, who will now look to take advantage of City’s Club World Cup commitments by putting further daylight between themselves and the reigning champions.
Indeed, were results to go their way, Liverpool could be as many as 12 points ahead of City by the time City return to league action away to Everton on December 27 - a fact Guardiola is acutely aware of, even if he dismissed the idea that his team is playing poorly at the moment.
“We have to win games to make it depend on ourselves,” he said. “It's not to think about the distance, or what they do and what would be possible.
“I have the feeling here that the last three games we played here where we dropped points, we were excellent, but the reality is that we got three points. We could not win it.
“The performance was really good, but at the end we were not able to close the games.”
City had looked well in control against Palace, taking the lead after 24 minutes through Jack Grealish’s third goal in four games and adding to it nine minutes after half-time as teenager Rico Lewis netted his first ever in the Premier League.
But with Dean Henderson, the Palace goalkeeper, in inspired form, denying Julian Alvarez, Bernardo Silva and Josko Gvardiol, Roy Hodgson’s side were able to stay in the game before mounting a spirited late fightback.
Jean-Philippe Mateta cut the deficit from Jeffrey Schlupp’s low cross with 14 minutes remaining, and in the 94th minute the French striker was caught by Phil Foden’s clumsy challenge, leaving Tierney with no option but to point to the spot. Olise, so impressive for Palace on the day, held his nerve admirably to level.
Frustration in the extreme, for City, who have thrown away leads to draw against Chelsea, Liverpool, Tottenham and now Palace in the last five weeks.
Their failure to close out matches is certainly bugging Guardiola.
“I would like to know!” he said. “I always had the feeling how many chances we created and how many the opponent has. This is the balance for me that is important but football is about closing games.
“Don't give away that penalty and the game will be over. If Phil kept the ball in that position or Bernardo [Silva] kept the ball in that position, the game was over. In the last minutes when it was 2-1, we have to control it better.”
For their part, Palace can reflect on a job well done, and a handy point given their form and league position, as well as their injury list. “I can’t praise the players enough,” said Hodgson. “The fans who were here today must be very proud of their team.”
As for City, they head to Saudi Arabia looking to make history. World domination beckons for Guardiola’s winning machine.
When they get back home, though, they have a bit of work to do. Right now, their Premier League crown is in danger of slipping.
: Ederson 5, K Walker 6, R Dias 6, N Ake 6, J Gvardiol 7, R Lewis 7 (J Stones 90), Rodri 6, B Silva 6, P Foden 6, J Grealish 7, J Alvarez 6.
Subs not used) Ortega, Phillips, Kovacic, Gomez, Akanji, Bobb, Nunes, Susoho.
D Henderson 8, N Clyne 6 (E Eze 90), J Ward 5 (D Ozoh 34, 6), J Andersen 5, M Guehi 6, T Mitchell 6, M Olise 8, C Richards 5, J Riedewald 5 (N Ahamada 81), J Schlupp 6 (M Franca 81), J Mateta 8.
Subs not used: Matthews, Tomkins, Ebiowei, Adaramola, Ola-Adebomi
: P Tierney 6
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
