Man City held by Palace as title defence stutters again

Rico Lewis rescued a point for Manchester City in their 2-2 draw at Crystal Palace before he was sent off late in the second half at Selhurst Park.

- RACHEL STEINBERG

Erling Haaland cancelled out Daniel Munoz’s fourth-minute opener with his 13th goal of the Premier League season to draw himself level with Mohamed Salah in the golden boot race. Summer signing Maxence Lacroix fired Palace back in front with his first Eagles goal after the break but the sides were back on level terms from Lewis’s fine finish in the 68th minute.

He was dismissed with a controversial second yellow in the 84th minute but the visitors were able to fend off the man advantage and save themselves from falling further behind Liverpool in the title chase.

“We’ll take the point,” said a rueful Pep Guardiola. “I’m proud of the players, incredibly proud of the players, how they fought, came back twice in difficult conditions. Selhurst Park is always difficult, the weather conditions for both sides [were difficult], but we fought as always.”

Guardiola, who counted Phil Foden, John Stones, Mateo Kovacic, Nathan Ake and Manuel Akanji among his unavailable talent, was emphatic when asked if his remaining men looked tired at any point against the Eagles.