Manchester City boosted their Premier League title push with a commanding 3 0 victory away to Crystal Palace, narrowing Arsenal’s lead at the top of the table to just two points. Pep Guardiola’s side took full advantage of the chance to pile pressure on the Gunners with a clinical display in south London.
City controlled possession for long spells and repeatedly stretched Palace with their movement and passing. The visitors’ pressure eventually told as they found the breakthrough and then added further goals to put the contest beyond doubt before full time.
The result means Arsenal remain on 36 points from 16 matches, with City now on 34 points after recording their 11th league win of the season. Aston Villa, Chelsea and Crystal Palace follow in the chasing pack, keeping the top half of the table highly competitive.
Guardiola hailed the performance as one of City’s best of the campaign, praising his players’ focus, intensity and game management away from home. The win also extends City’s strong recent form, having already beaten Sunderland and produced a big Champions League result against Real Madrid earlier in the week.
For Palace, the defeat ends a solid run that had kept them firmly in the hunt for European places. They stay on 26 points and will look to regroup quickly as the fixtures continue to come thick and fast over the festive schedule.
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