Manchester City won 3-0 against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park with Erling Haaland scoring twice, moving them within two points of Premier League leaders Arsenal.
Arsenal’s late win over Wolves on Saturday widened the gap to five points, but Haaland’s double and Phil Foden’s sixth goal in five games gave City their fourth successive Premier League win.
Haaland opened the scoring in the first half with a header from Matheus Nunez’s accurate cross, and Foden continued his prolific goalscoring run by beating Dean Henderson from outside the penalty area before adding a second from the penalty spot in the second half.
City’s relentless display saw Palace beat Josep Guardiola’s side in the FA Cup final in May, with both Elemy Pino and Adam Wharton left disappointed with missed chances.
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Man City take the lead against Crystal Palace with Erling Haaland’s stunning header
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Phil Foden extends Manchester City’s lead with a stunning finish
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Haaland scores home his third goal of the second half from the penalty spot
While Arsenal worked hard to win against Wolves, City continued to build momentum towards the title, thanks in part to the form of their attackers, and in the end they clinched a comfortable victory.
Foden’s goal, following Rayan Cherki’s drive and firing low into the net from 20 yards out, flew right in front of England manager Thomas Tuchel as he continued to consider his options for the number 10 position ahead of next summer’s World Cup.
Palace continued to push to get back into the game with Eddie Nketiah saving from Gianluigi Donnarumma from a wide angle, but the result was put beyond doubt when Haaland converted the spot-kick after substitute Sabinho was fouled by Henderson.
The goal, Haaland’s 17th Premier League goal of the season, came after the Palace keeper saved a penalty in the FA Cup final at Wembley in May, sealing an impressive win that confirmed City’s title credentials despite the scoreline being harsh on Palace on the balance of play.
City are closing in on second place behind Arsenal, while Palace remain in fifth place, two points behind Chelsea, after Saturday’s win over Everton.
Guardiola: “It was a really difficult game”
Manchester City manager Josep Guardiola said: “It was tough. The word ruthless is there, but behind that there was a lot of effort.”
“They’re very strong. Every time we play them, it’s very difficult. The physicality, the transitions, the way they defend, all the actions.
“It was a really difficult game, we knew that, but we have prepared very well after the difficult game against Madrid.
“I’m really happy with a lot of things that are going to happen inside the locker room.
“We have to improve a lot of things. Madrid gave us a lot of signals that we are not ready yet, not in terms of mentality, but in terms of how we approach certain games.
“They’re young players, but of course we know how tough they are, so I’m really happy. Winning 3-0 here is a good sign for us.”
Analysis: Haaland and Man City look creepy
Manchester City were not perfect in this match. Far from it. They sometimes got lucky, like the host hitting the woodwork twice. The final scoreline pleased them.
But it was an impressive three-goal victory at one of the country’s most difficult grounds, just days after what Guardiola described as a “mentally draining” victory over Real Madrid at the Bernabéu. “It’s a good sign,” their manager said.
It was Haaland who took the lead, not for the first time, as he headed home the first goal of the afternoon from Nunez’s cross. Sometimes all he needs is one chance. It was a decisive goal that changed the course of the game.
Manchester City had posed little threat up to that point, but Haaland seized his chances and remained calm for the second goal.
“Where were you at Wembley?” he asked the home fans when he saw Dean Henderson save the spot-kick in the FA Cup final. This time we definitely enjoyed the celebrations in front of the Holmesdale End.
His scoring rate is so high that seeing him find the back of the net has become a daily occurrence. He has played in the Premier League this season until he was 17 years old. Guardiola will need to rectify the shortcomings on the fly, but Haaland’s form remains ominous for his title rivals.
Glasner: “Man City were better in the box”
Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner said: “For me, the result doesn’t reflect the performance we showed.
“We have to accept that City were better in the box, better and more efficient than us.
“They took their chances and we missed them. And that’s why we lost in the end.”
Opta Stats: Unlucky Palace?
Crystal Palace have hit the woodwork eight times in the Premier League this season, while only Manchester United and Newcastle United have hit it more often (nine). This is the second time this season that he has scored twice in the same game, having previously scored against West Ham in September. Phil Foden has scored in four consecutive Premier League games for the second time in his career (six goals), and also scored in January 2025 (also six goals). Manchester City recorded four touches inside the opponent’s box in the first half. Under Josep Guardiola, they have won just three Premier League games: three against Arsenal in September 2025, three against Manchester United in March 2020, and three against Liverpool in December 2016.
