Crystal Palace 0-3 Man City: Erling Haaland and Phil Foden on target to keep pressure on Arsenal | Football News
Manchester City moved back to within two points of Premier League leaders Arsenal as Erling Haaland scored twice in a clinical 3-0 win over Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park.
Arsenal’s late victory against Wolves on Saturday had extended the gap to five points, but Haaland’s brace and a sixth goal in five games from Phil Foden ensured City made it four consecutive Premier League wins.
Haaland headed the opener from a precise first-half cross from Matheus Nunes and added his second from the penalty spot late on after Foden continued his rich goalscoring form by beating Dean Henderson from outside the area.
City’s ruthless display left Palace, winners of Pep Guardiola’s side in May’s FA Cup final, rueing a series of missed chances, with Yeremy Pino and Adam Wharton both hitting the woodwork.
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Man City take the lead against Crystal Palace with this superb header from Erling Haaland
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Phil Foden increases Manchester City’s lead with fine finish
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Haaland heads home third from the penalty spot
While Arsenal worked hard to secure their victory against Wolves, City were ultimately comfortable winners as their title race continues to gain momentum thanks in part to the good form of their attackers.
Foden’s goal, scored low into the net from 20 yards after a driving run from Rayan Cherki, came in front of a watching Thomas Tuchel as the England boss continues to consider his options in the No.10 position ahead of next summer’s World Cup.
Palace continued to push to get back into the match, Eddie Nketiah forcing a save from Gianluigi Donnarumma in the corner, but Haaland put the result beyond doubt when he converted his spot-kick after substitute Savinho was fouled by Henderson.
That goal, Haaland’s 17th of the Premier League season, came after the Palace goalkeeper saved his penalty in the FA Cup final at Wembley in May and sealed an impressive victory that underlines City’s title credentials, even if the scoreline was tough for Palace on the balance of play.
While City close in on Arsenal in second, Palace remain fifth, two points behind Chelsea after their victory against Everton on Saturday.
Guardiola: A really difficult match
Man City chief Pep Guardiola said: “It was difficult. Ruthless is the word. There is a lot of work behind it.
“They are so strong. Every time we play with them it is so difficult. The physicality, the transitions, the way they defend, all the actions.
“It was a really difficult match. We knew that but we prepared very well after a difficult match against Madrid.
“We are really happy with a lot of things that are going to happen in the locker room.
“We have to improve a lot of things. Madrid have given me a lot of signals that we are still not ready, not in terms of mentality but in terms of the way we approach certain games.
“They are young players, but of course we are very happy because I know how tough they are. To go 3-0 here is a good sign for us.”
Analysis: Haaland and Man City look worrying
Manchester City was not perfect in this match. Far from it. They were lucky at times, with the hosts twice hitting the woodwork. The final score flattered them.
But winning by three goals on one of the toughest grounds in the country, just days after what Guardiola described as an “emotionally draining” win over Real Madrid at the Bernabeu was impressive. “It’s a good sign,” their manager said.
This is not the first time Haaland has opened the scoring, scoring his first shot on goal of the afternoon courtesy of Nunes’ cross. Sometimes one chance is enough. It was a crucial goal that changed the dynamic of the match.
Manchester City had barely threatened before, but Haaland seized his moment and also kept his composure for his second.
“Where were you at Wembley?” asked the home fans in reference to the FA Cup final, when he saw a spot-kick saved by Dean Henderson. This time he made no mistake and enjoyed the celebrations outside Holmesdale End.
His scoring rate is such that it has become commonplace to see him find the back of the net. He is now 17 for the Premier League season. Guardiola has to iron out flaws on the fly, but Haaland’s form continues to be worrying for his title rivals.
Glasner: Man City were better in the areas
Crystal Palace boss Olivier Glasner said: “For me, the result does not reflect the performance we showed.
“We just have to accept that City were better in the areas, better and more efficient than us.
“They took a chance, we missed, and yeah, that’s why we lost in the end.”
Opta Statistics: Unlucky Palace?
- Crystal Palace have hit the woodwork eight times in the Premier League this season, with only Manchester United and Newcastle United doing so more often (nine). They hit the woodwork twice in the same match for the second time this season, as well as against West Ham in September.
- Phil Foden has scored in four consecutive Premier League matches (six goals) for the second time in his career, and also did so in January 2025 (also six goals).
- Manchester City managed four touches in the opponent’s box in the first half. They have only managed fewer in three Premier League matches under Pep Guardiola – three against Arsenal in September 2025, three against Manchester United in March 2020 and three against Liverpool in December 2016.