Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola said he was happy with a point and claimed no Premier League team is currently weaker in the set-piece than his side after the visitors equalized twice in a 2-2 draw in fifth-bottom Crystal Palace.
Erling Haaland drew City level in the first period after Daniel Munoz’s opener and Rico Lewis – who was sent off four minutes earlier – saved the champions from a seventh defeat in nine games by responding to Maxens Lacroix’s second-half goal .
“Really good, I’m so proud and love everything from my team”
Pep Guardiola reflects on Manchester City’s 2-2 draw at Crystal Palace 🤝 pic.twitter.com/yC8VeDarve
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) December 7, 2024
“The season that starts hard will be hard all season,” said Guardiola, whose side have one win from nine games and are eight points behind Liverpool after playing a game more than the leaders.
“We have to survive. it’s a season to survive, try to get points, win games. What they (the players) did in those conditions is really, really good.
“We had seven potential key players injured, a lot of players with minutes and the fitness is there from Crystal Palace. But we were there and we did everything to try to win. I’m really proud and happy for the players.”
“It’s not good enough” 😤
Bernardo Silva acknowledges Manchester City’s injury problems but insists the team are not feeling sorry for themselves and must keep fighting after their 2-2 draw at Crystal Palace 💪 pic.twitter.com/bjGdSTagyV
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) December 7, 2024
Palace vs Man City
England defender Kyle Walker looked responsible for both of Palace’s goals, playing Munoz down the flank in the first and allowing Lacroix to head home Will Hughes’ corner.
City playmaker Kevin De Bruyne started a second successive game after more than a season of fitness struggles, while Gundogan praised Haaland, Lewis, Bernardo Silva and Ilkay Gundogan, as well as Palace manager Oliver Glasner.
“Football is a game of mistakes and good things,” Guardiola said. “We scored two fantastic goals and every team is stronger than us at the moment in set-pieces.
“I’m really happy with a lot of things I saw. I’m so happy for (Palace). Glassner does an incredible job. He is a top professional and a wonderful person.”
“I’m a little disappointed, I feel like it could have been more” 😒
Oliver Glasner believes Crystal Palace could have secured all three points against Manchester City 🦅 pic.twitter.com/S5yTupqQDO
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) December 7, 2024
Haaland “always a threat”
Guardiola said City are “so lucky” to have Haaland, who joined Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah as the Premier League’s top scorer this season with his 13th top-flight goal of the season and his first in three league games.
“We are lucky to have Rico, Bernardo, Gudo,” Guardiola added. “All these players have been playing all this season without rest. The sense of (Haaland’s) goal threat is always there.
“The connection, the flair in the final third (from) Kevin is so special. We missed him a lot last season and this season.”
After scoring Man City’s equaliser, Rico Lewis was sent off for a second yellow card for a challenge on Trevoh Chalobah!#CRYMCI pic.twitter.com/Xx5NROFnht
— Premier League (@premierleague) December 7, 2024
Manchester City injuries, suspensions
City are without defenders Manuel Akanji, John Stones and Nathan Ake and midfielders Phil Foden, Oscar Bobb and Mateo Kovacic through injury.
Ballon d’Or winner Rodry is out for the season with a knee injury and Lewis will now serve a one-match suspension, having seen red cards for two yellow cards.
Ederson is Guardiola’s regular first-choice goalkeeper but the out-of-form Brazil international started on the bench for a third game in a row, with Stefan Ortega again preferred as City extended their wait for a clean sheet to nine games.
