CRYSTAL PALACE 0 MANCHESTER CITY 0.

BY AYODELE ODUMADE AT SELHURST PARK

MANCHESTER CITY’S winning run had to end sometime but who would have predicted that it would be at Palace? Although they did not lose they were not quite as sharp as they have been in recent games. No doubt they have been the pacesetters this season and are still the champions elect with a 14-point cushion to fall back on.

Christian Benteke should have given Palace the lead in the 10^th minute when he charged down Ederson’s clearance but he shot wide with an empty net gaping. Three minutes later Patrick Van Aanholt hit one from distance, which Ederson had to tip round the post.

Both teams suffered an early blow. Scott Dann had to be replaced by Martin Kelly, while Sergio Aguero replaced Gabriel Jesus.  Both were due to injuries. Jesus was inconsolable as he left the field in tears, which suggests the injury could be long term.

Aguero hit a shot from outside the area, which came off the woodwork, as Wayne Hennessey was just a bystander.

Palace put in a spirited display in the first half and restricted City to just a few chances.  The fans acknowledged their work rate at half time as they applauded the team off the field.

 Leroy Sane broke on the left and smashed a shot, which hit Hennessey who had spread himself thus denying City a goal. City continued to knock on the door but Palace stood firm. Pep Guardiola emptied his bench by bringing Raheem Sterling and Yaya Toure on. 

In stoppage time Palace were awarded a penalty when Kyle Walker felled Wifried Zaha in the area. Luka Milvojevic stepped up took the penalty but Ederson saved it.  Kevin De Bruyne who had an off day was stretchered off and Yaya Toure’s free kick in stoppage time was charge down by the Palace wall.

Manchester City escaped in the end with a point and their unbeaten record intact, which means they still have a chance to match the invincibles of 2004.

Timothy Fosu-Mensah was part of an immense Palace defence today and it was summed up when he lost the ball at some stage in the second half.  He made two recovery tackles before spraying the ball wide. That one move epitomised the Palace spirit, which earned them a massive point.

Roy Hodgson said: “I am very proud of the performance. I am pleased about the tactical discipline, commitment, focus and concentration. There is an element of sadness that we did not profit from the penalty that was awarded.”

Hodgson dispelled the newspaper report alleging that Palace want to end Fosu-Mensah’s loan deal early. He said: “ I know nothing about that. We are very happy with Tim Fosu-Mensah. I don’t know where that story came from.

Pep Guardiola said: “ We had more chances in the second half. We dropped two points today but we could have done that against Huddersfield and Southampton.”

On Ederson he said: ”All the big clubs need a one or two good goalkeepers and we have got it.”