Manchester City’s second string eased past Crystal Palace 3-0 on Thursday morning AEST to climb just two points behind Premier League leaders Arsenal with two games remaining of a captivating title race.
Pep Guardiola made six changes from the side that beat Brentford 3-0 at the weekend, with Erling Haaland and Jeremy Doku among those on the bench, while Palace boss Oliver Glasner also made tweaks.
First-half goals from Antoine Semenyo and Omar Marmoush put City in control at a damp Etihad and a late strike from Savinho added gloss to the scoreline.
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The tide appeared to have turned in City’s favour in the title race over recent weeks but last week’s costly 3-3 draw at Everton put Arsenal firmly back in the box seat.
The City players experienced the agony of seeing a stoppage-time equaliser for West Ham against Arsenal ruled out following a VAR check on Sunday as the Gunners battled to a 1-0 win.
“We have to keep pushing and keep them on their toes,” Manchester City midfielder Phil Foden told Sky Sports.
“Lots of things can happen on the final day, I’ve experienced it many times when the game doesn’t go your way. We have our part to play.”
Former Manchester City defender Micah Richards continued on Sky Sports: “It’s very exciting. If you talk about stats and odds they are all in Arsenal’s favour. But it’s not over yet. Twists and turns, it was a good professional performance from Man City today. They did what they needed to do.”
Guardiola’s men dominated the ball in the early minutes on Wednesday but Palace, with Ismaila Sarr and Adam Wharton on the bench, posed a threat on the break.
City opened the scoring in style in the 32nd minute after Foden produced an exquisite back pass to set up Semenyo, who finished coolly past Dean Henderson into the far corner of the goal.
They doubled their lead eight minutes later, with Foden again the provider, touching the ball to Marmoush, who celebrated his third Premier League goal of the season.
John Stones, departing at the end of the season, came on as a substitute towards the end of a forgettable second period to a rousing reception from the City fans.
Minutes later Rayan Cherki ran with the ball from his own half before setting up Savinho, who swept the ball past Henderson.
The three-goal win takes City to 77 points, two behind Arsenal. City now have a superior goal difference of plus one and have scored seven more goals.
City take on Chelsea in the FA Cup final at Wembley on Saturday, gunning for a domestic cup double after lifting the League Cup earlier this season.
Before kick-off on Wednesday, Guardiola explained his multiple changes, saying: “When the schedule is so tight, everybody is fit, everybody needs to help.”
Despite the narrow gap, Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal remain overwhelming favourites to win their first Premier League title since 2004.
City next face a tricky match at Bournemouth, who are chasing Champions League qualification, and finish their campaign against Aston Villa.
Arsenal host relegated Burnley next week before travelling to Palace for the final day of the season.
Palace, who beat City in last season’s FA Cup final, are 15th in the table. But their focus now is on the UEFA Conference League final against Rayo Vallecano in Leipzig on May 27 – Glasner’s final match in charge of the south London club.
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