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Haaland's Double Strike: How Man City Crushed Palace to Close Gap on Arsenal

Manchester City responded perfectly to Arsenal's earlier win by securing a commanding 3-0 victory at Selhurst Park. Erling Haaland was the star, opening the scoring with a header before sealing the win with a late penalty. Phil Foden continued his red-hot form, drilling in a superb goal from outside the box watched by England manager Thomas Tuchel. The result closes the gap at the top to just two points while Palace remain fifth in the table.

Key Points: Haaland Scores Twice as Man City Beat Crystal Palace 3-0

  • Haaland scored a first-half header and a late penalty for his 17th league goal
  • Phil Foden netted his sixth goal in five matches with a 20-yard strike
  • The win marks City's fourth consecutive league victory under Pep Guardiola
  • Crystal Palace rued missed chances despite beating City in last season's FA Cup final
2 min read

Haaland double powers Manchester City to 3-0 win over Crystal Palace

Erling Haaland's brace and Phil Foden's strike seal a dominant 3-0 win for Manchester City over Crystal Palace, closing the gap on league leaders Arsenal.

"Haaland then sealed the win late on, converting from the penalty spot for his second goal of the match. - Sky Sports"

London, December 15

Manchester City closed the gap on Premier League table leaders Arsenal to two points with a commanding 3-0 win over Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park, inspired by two goals from Erling Haaland, as per Sky Sports.

After Arsenal's late victory against Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday had stretched the lead to five points, City responded in style. Haaland's brace, combined with Phil Foden's sixth goal in five matches, secured a fourth consecutive league win for Pep Guardiola's side.

Haaland opened the scoring in the first half with a header from Matheus Nunes' pinpoint cross before Foden maintained his fine goalscoring run by firing past Dean Henderson from outside the area. Haaland then sealed the win late on, converting from the penalty spot for his second goal of the match.

Manchester City's clinical performance left Crystal Palace, who had beaten Pep Guardiola's team in the FA Cup final in May, to lament a number of missed opportunities, as both Yeremy Pino and Adam Wharton came agonisingly close to scoring.

Foden's strike, drilled low into the net from 20 yards after a surging run by Rayan Cherki, was scored in front of England manager Thomas Tuchel, who is still weighing up his options in the No. 10 role ahead of next summer's World Cup.

Palace kept pressing in search of a way back, with Eddie Nketiah testing Gianluigi Donnarumma from a tight angle, but Haaland wrapped up the result by calmly slotting home a penalty after substitute Savinho was brought down by Henderson.

The strike, Haaland's 17th Premier League goal of the season, came after the Palace goalkeeper had denied him from the spot in the FA Cup final at Wembley in May.

City's win narrows the gap to Arsenal in second place, while Palace remain in fifth spot in the Premier League points table, two points away from the fourth-placed Chelsea after their win against Everton on Saturday.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
As an Indian football fan, it's great to see such high-quality matches. But honestly, the Premier League gets so much coverage here while our own ISL struggles for prime time. I wish our broadcasters would balance it better.
R
Rohit P
Phil Foden is the real deal. Six goals in five matches is incredible consistency. With the World Cup coming up, he has to be England's starting #10. Tuchel would be mad to look elsewhere.
S
Sarah B
Watching from Mumbai at 1:30 AM was totally worth it for that Foden goal! What a run and finish. City's depth is scary. They just keep winning even when not at their absolute best. Arsenal, be worried.
V
Vikram M
Good performance, but let's be real, Palace had their chances. If Pino or Wharton had scored, it could have been a different game. City's defence still looks a bit vulnerable on the counter. They need to tighten up against bigger teams.
K
Karthik V
The title race is the best thing about the Premier League. Arsenal and City pushing each other every week. As a neutral Indian fan, this is pure entertainment. Hope it goes down to the last day! 🤞

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