Crystal Palace 0–3 Manchester City: Premier League Match Report & Highlights

On: December 15, 2025 2:53 AM

Crystal Palace 0–3 Manchester City: Premier League Match Report & Highlights

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Crystal Palace vs Manchester City – Match Summary

Manchester City demonstrated the ruthless efficiency of champions, weathering a storm at Selhurst Park to defeat Crystal Palace 3–0. While the scoreline suggests a comfortable afternoon for Pep Guardiola’s side, the reality was different. Palace were excellent for large periods, hitting the woodwork twice and creating the better chances in the first half. However, City’s clinical edge—spearheaded by a brace from Erling Haaland and a stunner from Phil Foden—proved the difference, moving them back within two points of league leaders Arsenal.

Crystal Palace vs Manchester City – Final Score

Crystal Palace 0–3 Manchester City

(HT: 0–1)

Goals:

41’ — Erling Haaland (MCI)
69’ — Phil Foden (MCI)
89’ — Erling Haaland (Pen) (MCI)

Crystal Palace vs Manchester City – Timeline & Events

16’ — 🚧 WOODWORK: Crystal Palace nearly take the lead! Adam Wharton plays a sublime ball over the top to Yéremy Pino, who lobs Gianluigi Donnarumma but sees his effort crash off the crossbar.
41’ — ⚽ GOAL! Against the run of play, City strike. Matheus Nunes whips in a cross from the right, and Erling Haaland towers above Chris Richards to head home. (0–1)
49’ — 🚧 WOODWORK: Palace hit the frame again! Adam Wharton drives through the midfield and unleashes a low shot that clips the outside of the post.
62’ — 🟨 Card: Daichi Kamada (CRY) is booked for pulling back Rayan Cherki.
69’ — ⚽ GOAL! A moment of magic from Phil Foden. Receiving the ball from Cherki, he drifts past two defenders and drills a low strike into the bottom corner from 20 yards. (0–2)
87’ — 📺 PENALTY: Substitute Savinho bursts into the box and is tripped by Dean Henderson.
89’ — ⚽ GOAL! Erling Haaland steps up and smashes the penalty into the bottom right corner to seal the win. (0–3)

First Half Analysis

Oliver Glasner’s plan worked perfectly for 40 minutes. Palace defended in a compact block and transitioned with frightening speed, exposing City’s high line through Pino and Sarr. The hosts recorded an xG of 1.45 in the first half alone but found themselves behind due to one lapse in concentration that allowed Haaland a free header. City dominated possession (62%) but lacked penetration until the goal.

Second Half Analysis

The second goal killed the contest. Once Foden doubled the lead, Palace’s heads dropped, and City began to manage the game with their trademark “rondo” style possession. Pep Guardiola used his bench effectively, bringing on Savinho to stretch the tired Palace legs, which directly led to the late penalty. City’s clean sheet was largely down to luck (woodwork) and poor Palace finishing rather than defensive solidity.

xG Reality Check: Crystal Palace 2.08 | Manchester City 1.19

Key Match Factors

The Clinical Difference: City scored 3 goals from just 1.19 xG. Palace scored 0 from 2.08 xG. That was the story of the match.
Donnarumma vs Henderson: Donnarumma made 4 saves and claimed 3 crosses to relieve pressure, while Henderson was beaten by high-quality finishing.
Midfield Battle: Adam Wharton was exceptional for Palace despite the loss, constantly driving his team forward, but he lacked support in the final third.
Savinho’s Cameo: The Brazilian winger only played 15 minutes but won the penalty that added gloss to the scoreline.

Player of the Match

🏆 Erling Haaland (Manchester City)

Two goals to take his tally to 23 for the season. He was isolated for long spells but delivered exactly when it mattered, scoring a crucial header and a composed penalty.

Crystal Palace vs Manchester City – Player Ratings

Crystal Palace	Rating	Manchester City	Rating
Henderson	6.0	Donnarumma	7.5
Richards	6.0	Nunes	7.0
Lacroix	6.5	Dias	7.5
Guehi	6.5	Gvardiol	7.5
Clyne	5.5	O’Reilly	6.5
Wharton	7.5	Nico Gonzalez	6.5
Kamada	6.0	Bernardo Silva	7.0
Mitchell	6.0	Reijnders	6.5
Sarr	6.5	Foden	8.5
Pino	7.0	Cherki	7.5
Mateta	5.5	Haaland (MOTM)	9.0

Crystal Palace vs Manchester City – Match Stats

Stat	Crystal Palace	Manchester City
Expected Goals (xG)	2.08	1.19
Possession	38%	62%
Total Shots	16	7
Shots on Target	4	5
Big Chances	3	3
Corners	2	2
Passes (Accuracy)	270 (78%)	511 (89%)
Fouls	9	6
Yellow Cards	2	0

Top 5 Performers

Erling Haaland (MCI): The ultimate difference-maker. Two chances, two goals.
Phil Foden (MCI): His goal was the turning point; brought energy and drive when City looked stagnant.
Adam Wharton (CRY): The best midfielder on the pitch for the first hour; unlucky to hit the post.
Rayan Cherki (MCI): Quietly effective, providing the assist for Foden and linking play well.
Ruben Dias (MCI): Made two crucial blocks in the first half to keep City level.

Underperformers / Weak Links

Jean-Philippe Mateta (CRY): Had zero shots on target and lost 7 of his 10 duels.
Nathaniel Clyne (CRY): Targeted by City in the second half and struggled to deal with Foden drifting wide.
Nico O’Reilly (MCI): Looked a bit shaky defensively in the first half against the pace of Sarr.

Substitutions Impact

Eddie Nketiah (CRY): Replaced Mateta (63′) but barely touched the ball as City controlled possession. (Rating: 5.5)
Savinho (MCI): Replaced Reijnders (85′) and won the penalty immediately. (Rating: 7.5)
Rico Lewis (MCI): Came on late to secure the midfield. (N/A)

Tactical Breakdown

Crystal Palace: Played a 3-4-2-1, looking to overload the wide areas on the counter. It worked in creating chances (high xG) but failed in conversion.
Manchester City: Operated in a 4-1-4-1. They struggled to deal with Palace’s direct balls over the top initially but adjusted by dropping the defensive line deeper in the second half.

What This Result Means

Manchester City: Stay 2nd place (34 pts) and keep the pressure firmly on Arsenal.
Crystal Palace: Remain 5th place (26 pts), a reality check after a good run of form, but the performance showed promise.