Much-changed Manchester City rolled the Premier League title race on at least another week with a confident 3-0 victory over sluggish Crystal Palace.
Pep Guardiola’s side continue to trail Arsenal by two points with two left to play and will not be able to catch their rivals if Mikel Arteta’s side stay perfect between now and May 24. City gave up that privilege after drawing with Everton last week.
But if Arsenal slip – at home to Burnley or away to Crystal Palace on the final day – City have the opportunity to strike. There would be no precedent for that scenario; no team in top division history has made up a deficit of five points as late as May to win the title.
But City’s last two performances, both 3-0 wins, suggest they believe it is possible. Guardiola’s full-time fist pumps gave the impression he is yet to concede.
Even the lesser seen Phil Foden made a compelling case, his pair of assists in the first half putting the hosts into a commanding lead, from which they never looked back.
The opener was special. A moment of instinctive genius from Foden, akin to the like he was producing during his vintage year – when City last won the title in 2023/24. His clever flick found Antoine Semenyo on the move and the forward arrowed a first-time finish into the bottom corner.
Omar Marmoush was the second beneficiary, latching onto a cross that Foden touched into his path before swivelling and cleverly beating Dean Henderson.
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Marmoush doubles Manchester City’s lead to keep pressure on league leaders Arsenal.
Both managers made changes in the second half to save legs with major finals on the horizon. City play Chelsea in the FA Cup showpiece in three days while Palace will compete in the Conference League final at the end of the month.
Neither wanted to overexert themselves in a second half that was more formality than football match – that is until Rayan Cherki threaded a lovely pass to Savinho and he added a late third.
Guardiola has never gone successive seasons without a league title in any country in which he has managed in. He and his players are putting every reserve of energy into ensuring that record endures.
