Erling Haaland and Phil Foden ignite Manchester City to triumph over Crystal Palace
Even after a week that included a landmark win over Real Madrid at the Bernabéu, this victory ranks among Pep Guardiola’s most satisfying moments of the season.
Oliver Glasner had previously sentenced Guardiola to a trophyless campaign in his first year in English football when Crystal Palace enjoyed their greatest day in the FA Cup final back in May. Outsmarting one of the Premier League’s most tactically astute managers would provide Guardiola with extra satisfaction and help City close the gap to Arsenal to two points.
Haaland set City on their way, weathering a stubborn Palace defense in the first half before adding a late penalty to push his league tally for the season to 17. Yet it was Phil Foden who shone again in front of England manager Gareth Southgate’s eye, scoring for the fourth time in his last four appearances to seal City’s revenge.
Both teams arrived off solid European midweek results, though against different opposition. With an extra day to recover after their Champions League win, Guardiola made just one change, bringing in Tijjani Reijnders for Jérémy Doku, who was sidelined by a leg injury.
Palace’s plans were disrupted by a late return from Dublin due to a plane issue after their Conference League victory over Shelbourne the night before. Glasner was pleased to have Jean-Philippe Mateta and Ismaïla Sarr back in attack after injuries, while veteran defender Nathaniel Clyne filled the void on the right once again.
The managers exchanged light banter before kick-off, with Glasner perhaps nudging Guardiola about his warning ahead of the FA Cup final that he’d need to alter his system after their 5-2 league defeat to Palace a few weeks earlier. Glasner’s approach this time was to “control the pockets” within City’s fluid structure that supports Haaland.
The plan looked effective early on, as Palace grew more dangerous in the opening period. A superb pass from Adam Wharton found Yeremy Pino, who struck the post after being enabled by a late-nicking run from Nico O’Reilly. Palace’s familiar defensive discipline—reflecting Glasner’s consistent selection—kept City at bay, with a standout moment coming when Foden’s curling free-kick forced a spectacular full-length save from Dean Henderson.
A lapse in concentration from Chris Richards then allowed Haaland to strike, aided by a perfect deep cross from Matheus Nunes and a powerful, low finish past Henderson. Mateta even believed he should have had a penalty before halftime, but replays showed Donnarumma arriving first to the ball.
Wharton, still awaiting his first Palace goal, delivered near-misses in the second half, his shot ricocheting off the post after Nico González was dispossessed. City’s momentum continued as Foden and Rayan Cherki combined to create further chances, with Henderson denying Reijnders from close range.
Palace continued to press through Sarr and substitute Eddie Nketiah, but could not breach Donnarumma. The game was sealed when Henderson fouled Savinho in the box, conceding a late penalty to Haaland, who finished clinically. In this form, City look formidable—Arsenal have taken notice.
