Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola said he was delighted with the point and claimed no Premier League side are currently worse off than his side after the visitors twice equalized in a 2-2 draw at fifth-bottom Crystal Palace.
Erling Haaland drew City level in the first period after Daniel Munoz’s opener, and Rico Luis – who was sent off with four minutes remaining – spared the reigning champions a seventh defeat in nine games by responding to Maxence Lacroix’s second-half goal.
“Really good, I’m very proud and I like everything from my team”
Pep Guardiola reflects on Manchester City’s 2-2 draw at Crystal Palace 🤝 pic.twitter.com/yC8VeDarve
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) December 7, 2024
“A season that starts hard will be tough all season,” said Guardiola, whose side have one win in nine games and are eight points behind Liverpool after playing a game more than the leaders.
“We have to survive; it is a season for survival, for trying to score points, for winning matches. What (the players) did in the circumstances is really, really good.
“We had seven potential starters injured, a lot of players with minutes and the physicality is here from Crystal Palace. But we were there and we did everything to try to win. I’m really proud and happy for the players.”
“Not good enough” 😤
Bernardo Silva admits Manchester City’s injury problems but insists the team cannot feel sorry for themselves and must keep fighting after their 2-2 draw at Crystal Palace 💪 pic.twitter.com/bjGdSTagyV
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) December 7, 2024
Palace v Man City
England defender Kyle Walker appeared to be at fault for both of Palace’s goals, playing Munoz past him in the first and allowing Lacroix to head in Will Hughes’ corner.
City playmaker Kevin De Bruyne started a second successive game after more than a season of fitness struggles, while Gundogan praised Haaland, Luiz, Bernardo Silva and Ilkay Gundogan, as well as Palace manager Oliver Glassner.
“Football is a game of mistakes and good things,” Guardiola said. “We scored two fantastic goals and every team is stronger than us at the moment on target.
“I’m really pleased with a lot of things I’ve seen. I am so pleased for (Palace); Glassner does an amazing job. He is a top professional and a wonderful person.”
“I’m a little disappointed, I feel it could have been more” 😒
Oliver Glassner believes his Crystal Palace could have secured all three points against Manchester City 🦅 pic.twitter.com/S5yTupqQDO
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) December 7, 2024
Haaland “is always a threat”
Guardiola said City were “so happy” to have Haaland, who joined Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah as joint top scorer in the Premier League this season with his 13th top-flight goal of the season and first in three league games.
We are lucky to have Rico, Bernardo, Gundo,” added Guardiola. “All these players have played this whole season without rest. (Haaland’s) sense of a goal threat is always there.
“The connection, the talent in the final third (from) Kevin is so special. “We missed him a lot last season and this season.”
After scoring the equalizer for Man City, Rico Lewis is now sent off for a second yellow card after a challenge on Trevoh Chalobah!#CRYMCI pic.twitter.com/Xx5NROFnht
— Premier League (@premierleague) December 7, 2024
Man City injuries, suspensions
City are without defenders Manuel Akanyi, John Stones and Nathan Ake and midfielders Phil Foden, Oscar Bob and Mateo Kovacic through injury.
Ballon d’Or winner Rodry is out for the season with a knee injury and Luiz will now serve a one-match suspension after being sent off for two yellow cards.
Ederson is Guardiola’s regular first-choice goalkeeper but the out-of-form Brazil international started a third consecutive game on the bench, with Stefan Ortega again preferred as City extended their wait for a clean sheet to nine games.
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