Report & Highlights: City fight back to deny Palace at Selhurst Park

Daniel Munoz and Maxence Lacroix scored either side of half-time as Palace were narrowly denied victory by Manchester City at Selhurst Park.

The weather in South London was nothing short of biblical, with the rain hammering down and the wind swirling around Selhurst Park. The only thing that could warm the spirits of the Palace fans watching was a fast start from those in red and blue, and that’s exactly what they got.

Palace’s intent was clear to see inside 20 seconds, as Jean-Philippe Mateta burst into the Manchester City penalty area, and despite being denied they kept coming.

Inside five minutes, Daniel Muñoz found acres of space on the right to receive the ball and charge through on goal, slotting past Stefan Ortega to score his second goal in as many games at Selhurst Park.

The hosts had all the momentum, pushing forwards to find a second. Ebere Eze saw an effort blocked behind, while Will Hughes’ mazy run ended in an effort on goal. The best chance fell to Jefferson Lerma, laid off by Mateta, unselfishly, after Muñoz and Sarr had combined to great effect down the right.

Moments later, Palace were punished. It was a goal from nowhere, City’s first really meaningful attack, as a deep delivery in towards the far post was met by Erling Haaland, who looped a header into the back of the net.

The goal settled City down, and the Eagles found it harder to make tracks going forwards, but it remained an even game until the break. After soaking up City pressure after the restart, Palace found their rhythm once again to restore the lead.

It came from Will Hughes, who was having a virtuoso performance in midfield. After lofting the ball through for Sarr, who failed to lay off for Eze, he won it back once again on the edge of the box, firing goalwards and winning a corner.

He trotted across to the right to swing the ball in, where it was met by Maxence Lacroix, powering home a header to score his first for the club.

Much like the first-half, it was just as Palace were looking to build on their lead that City struck back, scoring against the run of play. This time it was Rico Lewis who found space on the edge of the box, finishing like a seasoned centre-forward to give Dean Henderson no chance.

From there, it was anyone’s game. City shaded the possession, but Palace were a constant threat on the counter attack. Then, another twist, and more later drama.

Just as City were beginning to gain a foothold in the Palace final third, Lewis – who had been booked for dissent earlier in the half – clattered into Trevoh Chalobah and was shown a second yellow card. With the visitors down to 10 men, Palace were emboldened to push forwards.

There were chances to find the winner as Selhurst looked to suck the ball into the back of the net, but Palace could find no way through and were made to settle for a well-earned and valuable point on an afternoon when they would have more than deserved all three.

Palace: Henderson (GK), Mitchell, Guéhi, Lacroix, Chalobah, Muñoz, Lerma, Hughes, Eze (Devenny, 72), Sarr (Nketiah, 76), Mateta.

Subs: Turner (GK), Ward, Clyne, Richards, Doucouré, Schlupp, Kamada.

Man City: Ortega (GK), Walker, Dias, Gvardiol, Lewis, Gundogan, Nunes, Silva, De Bruyne (Grealish, 86), Savinho (Doku, 79), Haaland.

Subs: Ederson (GK), Carson (GK), Simpson-Pusey, O’Reilly, Wilson-Esbrand, Wright.