Manchester Metropolis moved inside two factors of Arsenal on the high of the Premier League with a 1-0 victory over Crystal Palace on Saturday.
Erling Haaland’s second-half penalty was the distinction between the 2 sides after Michael Olise felled Ilkay Gundogan contained in the field.
Metropolis (opens in new tab) had been wasteful from open play, however Haaland’s twenty eighth Premier League purpose of the season ensured his aspect picked up most factors at Selhurst Park.
Pep Guardiola’s crew at the moment are inside touching distance of first-placed Arsenal (opens in new tab), who face Fulham on Sunday.
This was a tenth match and not using a win for Palace (opens in new tab), who’re solely 4 factors away from the relegation zone.
Metropolis made a vivid begin in Saturday’s late kick-off in south London, with Rodri forcing an early save from Vicente Guaita.
Jack Grealish fired extensive after a mazy run from the left, whereas Haaland missed a obtrusive probability from shut vary shortly earlier than the half-hour mark.
Wilfried Zaha had an effort deflected extensive on a uncommon Palace breakaway, because the hosts struggled to rise up the pitch.
However Patrick Vieira’s males defended with loads of grit and resolve, and for lengthy spells Metropolis had been unable to discover a approach by.
Julian Alvarez ought to have executed higher with a right-footed shot after cleverly rolling Luka Milivojevic, who struggled all afternoon on the base of the Palace midfield.
Palace appeared to develop in confidence because the clock ticked in direction of 90 minutes, however Olise’s journey on Gundogan finally proved expensive.
Haaland made no mistake from 12 yards, sending Guaita the unsuitable approach earlier than sliding in entrance of the away followers in celebration.
Palace pushed ahead late on in the hunt for an equaliser, however Wilfried Zaha’s cut-back evaded everybody contained in the field.
The hosts ended the match and not using a shot on course to their identify, whereas they’re nonetheless and not using a win in 2023.
As for Metropolis, this victory piles the stress on Arsenal forward of their journey to Craven Cottage on Sunday.
