Foden magic ensures Man City keep the pressure on Arsenal

Football writer David Coverdale assesses Manchester City’s 3-0 win over Crystal Palace and what it means for the title race.

The race is still on.

In the pouring rain at the Etihad Stadium, Manchester City refused to let their title dream be washed away as they sunk Crystal Palace 3-0.

Had Pep Guardiola’s side failed to beat the Eagles, Arsenal could have clinched their first Premier League trophy in 22 years with victory against Burnley on Monday.

Instead, Man City are now just two points behind the Gunners with two games to go. And if they win at in-form AFC Bournemouth on Tuesday, this thrilling title race will go down to the final day.

“I am really pleased,” Man City boss Guardiola told Sky Sports. “We just try to be alive until the next game.

“Unfortunately, it is not in our hands. It is not easy, but it is important that we are there. This group of players are extraordinary.”

Before the visit to Bournemouth, Man City have the small matter of Saturday’s FA Cup final against Chelsea to contend with.

Pep’s risk is rewarded 

And it was with one eye on Wembley that Guardiola rotated his team against Palace, making six changes from the side that also beat Brentford 3-0, leaving star forwards Erling Haaland, Jeremy Doku and Rayan Cherki on the bench.

“The manager is here to take the risk,” Guardiola told Sky Sports before kick-off.

And how Guardola’s risk paid off, with one of the players he drafted into his starting line-up, Phil Foden, being named man of the match.

On his first Premier League start in two months, Foden got the ball rolling against Palace in the 32nd minute with a sensational no-look backheel into the path of Antoine Semenyo, who scored his 16th top-flight goal of the season.

Watch: Foden’s sensational first assist

“Sometimes it doesn’t come off, but sometimes a risk is worth trying and I’m very delighted it came off and we scored from it,” Foden told Sky Sports.

“I was buzzing to contribute to a goal and help the lads get three points. We have to keep pushing and keep them [Arsenal] on their toes.

“We have seen that a lot of things can happen on the final day. I have experienced it many times. We have to keep pushing and doing our part.”

Fantastic Foden

Foden’s assist was the 100th goal involvement of his Premier League career. And his 101st came eight minutes later, bringing down a cross from fit-again Josko Gvardiol, who was making his first start since January, for Omar Marmoush – another player making a rare appearance – to score.

It was the first time Foden has provided two assists in a Man City game since December 2023, and the first time he has ever assisted two goals in the first half of a Premier League match.

In all, the 25-year-old created five chances in the first half, a figure no player has beaten in the opening 45 minutes of a Premier League match this season.

“I have had to wait and be patient, train as hard as I can, and when you get your moment, you have to make the most of it,” added Foden.

“It is a team game. If you want to win titles and trophies, it is all about a full squad and everyone has to play their part.”

A perfect night for Man City was capped in the 84th minute when substitute Cherki set up Savinho for his first Premier League goal since December 2024.

That third goal meant they now have a +43 goal difference compared to Arsenal’s +42.

That could yet prove pivotal if Mikel Arteta’s side drop points next week, when they host relegated Burnley before visiting Palace on the final day.

Man City, meanwhile, face a tougher test in their next Premier League fixture against sixth-placed Bournemouth, who are unbeaten in 16 top-flight games and are chasing UEFA Champions League qualification.

They then host Aston Villa on the last day.