Manchester City left Selhurst Park with a 3–0 win over Crystal Palace, a scoreline that failed to reflect how competitive the match was for long periods.
Palace started brightly and controlled much of the opening half, creating several clear chances. Adam Wharton and Yeremy Pino both came close to breaking the deadlock, rattling the woodwork as the hosts piled on the pressure but could not find a decisive finish.
Against the flow of play, City struck first shortly before the interval. Matheus Nunes delivered a measured cross into the box, where Erling Haaland outjumped his marker to head past the goalkeeper and punish Palace for their missed opportunities.
The home side resumed the second half with renewed intent, pushing City deep and searching for an equaliser. However, the visitors remained organised at the back and gradually regained control of the game.
City’s advantage was doubled in the 68th minute when Phil Foden collected the ball outside the area and calmly guided a low shot into the corner after a slick passing move involving Rayan Cherki.
Palace hopes of a comeback were finally ended late on when substitute Savinho was fouled by goalkeeper Dean Henderson inside the box. Haaland converted the resulting penalty with confidence, sending the keeper the wrong way to claim his second goal of the night.
While the result favoured Pep Guardiola’s side, Palace were far from overrun and will feel frustrated by their failure to turn dominance into goals. City, meanwhile, once again demonstrated their efficiency in front of goal, a quality that continues to drive their push near the top of the Premier League table.
