Manchester City were facing the prospect of a seventh defeat in nine games when they visited Crystal Palace in the Premier League on Saturday.
Wideman Daniel Munoz gave the hosts a surprise lead in the fourth minute at Selhurst Park, taking advantage of Will Hughes’ pass to slot home.
The goal was subject to assistant referee video review before giving the side who started the day three points above the relegation zone.
Erling Haaland equalized with his 13th goal of the season after 30 minutes, but Maxence Lacroix restored Palace’s lead with a header 11 minutes after the restart.
Manchester City have conceded seven goals in the first 15 minutes of games this season. Neither side has conceded more.#CRYMCI pic.twitter.com/YkJvzHyNDN
— Premier League (@premierleague) December 7, 2024
Crystal Palace vs Manchester City: “Clinical” Haaland
Palace had lost one of their last eight games in all competitions and won 1-0 at Ipswich Town on Tuesday, but were enough of an underdog to earn a positive result against the champions.
Haaland’s goal was the 24-year-old’s first in three league games, with Mateusz Nunes ending City’s more than three-hour wait to score away from home.
“Nunes hits it with his right foot and Haaland hangs in the air and heads it over the bar,” former England defender Martin Keown told BBC Sport’s Final Score. “Fantastic finish. Clinical.”
The goal took Haaland – the Premier League’s top scorer for the past two seasons – level with Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah as the 2024/25 top scorer.
With Liverpool’s trip to Everton canceled due to weather hours earlier, Haaland is very likely to end the weekend top of the scoring if the Norwegian talisman adds to his tally against the Eagles.
Erling Haaland. Goal 1️⃣3️⃣ for the season.
His towering header equalizes the score against Crystal Palace!#CRYMCI pic.twitter.com/GHt49DHvVy
— Premier League (@premierleague) December 7, 2024
De Bruyne starts again
Playmaker Kevin De Bruyne started a second successive game for City, having scored and assisted in a 3-0 home win over Nottingham Forest on Wednesday.
This result looked like a return to form for the Cityzens after five consecutive defeats at home, lifting them to fourth place.
Only victory against Palace would send them above second-placed Chelsea and third-placed Arsenal, who both play on Sunday and have 28 points.
Liverpool were seven points clear after drawing 3-3 with Newcastle at St James’ Park on Wednesday when Fabian Sarr scored in the 90th minute to earn the ‘Kisa’ a point.
