Pep Guardiola has to despise Crystal Palace.

The Eagles not only had the audacity to win at the Etihad Stadium earlier this season,

but they’ve also forced the Premier League title battle to the wire.

With a performance fashioned from blood,

sweat, and tears, Crystal Palace earned a point they deserved.

They fought admirably across the field.

In midfield,

Conor Gallagher and Cheikhou Kouyate are undeterred by the constant City attacking waves,

while Tyrick Mitchell and Nathaniel Clyne are unaffected by the relentless Manchester City attacking waves.

This pitch has already seen one historic title collapse in recent years,

but Liverpool fans would have been overjoyed to see the Eagles put the brakes on Manchester City this time.

The ground at Selhurst Park had been intensively irrigated in the days leading up to kick-off,

in an attempt to pull off another surprise.

Palace had the Holmesdale End’s unwavering support in their mission to upset the odds once more,

but it was the Premier League leaders who set the early pace,

despite the home fans’ drums.

The visitors were in charge of the game,

but Crystal Palace were eager to be the disruptors,

asking plenty of questions during the break.

When Kyle Walker was caught in possession under pressure from Wilfried Zaha,

they had a chance to grab the lead.

The loose ball was picked up by Jean-Philippe Mateta,

who took his time before passing to Michael Olise.

This season, the winger has been outstanding in south London,

but he missed this chance.

It wasn’t just Palace missing chances though.

Bernardo Silva managed to carry the ball out of play instead of converting from close range after Vicente Guaita

– superb throughout – had spilled a Kevin de Bruyne shot to the feet of the Portuguese.

Crystal Palace were alert to the space in behind as Mateta drove forward with a succession of step-

overs before seeing his cross turned behind for a corner.

Moments later the Frenchman had a chance to fire the Eagles ahead after some quick

thinking by Tyrick Mitchell to get the hosts forward, but the striker miscued wide.

Watch now the summary of this amazing match!!

Manchester City moved to up the pressure after Mateta let them off the hook.

Kevin De Bruyne’s instinctive flip as he met Joao Cancelo’s ball over the top was excellently saved by Guaita,

before the City full-back hammered an effort against the post from more than 30-yards,

with the follow-up blazing over an open goal by Aymeric Laporte.

For the first time,

City were dragging a well-drilled Palace defence around,

and Guaita was called upon once more to deny a low shot from Riyad Mahrez.

Under such duress, Vieira’s team remained steadfast.

Gallagher was tenacious in midfield, willing to take a kicking to give his team some breathing room and help them advance from free kicks won in the middle.

City’s possession increased to 74% right before the break,

but Palace countered every time the Premier League leaders surged forward in the first half. Someone was there,

whether it was Guaita’s glove or Kouyate sliding to block a Phil Foden cross.

Five minutes into the second half, Kouyate had a chance to make an impact at the opposite end,

but he couldn’t make a solid connection on Marc Guehi’s header over the back and could only flick wide.

The Palace performance was embodied by Kouyate and Gallagher,

the latter nicking the ball off a white City shirt on the edge of his own box before driving the length of the pitch and drawing a free-kick from Jack Grealish.

Full Time : Crystal Palace 0-0 Manchester City