Man City draw blank in goalless draw to blow Premier League title race wide open

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A dejected Jack Grealish.

MANCHESTER Town DREW a blank at Crystal Palace in a goalless draw which blows the Premier League title race vast open up.

With Liverpool coasting to victory at Brighton on Saturday, Town failed to restore their 6-position direct as a spirited Palace show saw them earn a deserved share of the spoils.

The consequence leaves Metropolis four points crystal clear at the summit but the reigning champions have performed a video game more than Liverpool – who are absent at in-sort Arsenal on Wednesday evening – with Jurgen Klopp’s side nonetheless to travel to the Etihad Stadium future month.

City, with the exact setting up line-up that eased to victory more than Manchester United 8 times in the past, huffed and puffed but could not locate a way as a result of.

The Eagles may well stay devoid of a household get because beating Norwich in December but this will truly feel like a victory for Patrick Vieira, who also masterminded a 2- success in the reverse fixture.

For all their possession, Metropolis established a few of challenges of their have creating, Aymeric Laporte dispossessed by Conor Gallagher before the website visitors once again ceded possession primary to Michael Olise’s shot flashing vast of the far article.

Metropolis have been nearly in quickly after. Vicente Guaita spilled a Kevin De Bruyne strike, only for Bernardo Silva to endeavor to skip past the Palace goalkeeper from the rebound but alternatively operate the ball out of engage in.

Palace were being even now in the combat as Jean-Philippe Mateta broke guiding the Metropolis backline and observed his shot deflected behind.

John Stones strike a lengthy-range effort at the other close which was also blocked for a corner, Palace breaking from the set-piece with Olise and Mateta combining only for the latter to slip as he attempted to get his shot away.

Metropolis have been now turning the screw, Joao Cancelo smacking the write-up from extended-range, in advance of Laporte thrashed the rebound substantial and wide with the aim gaping.

Riyad Mahrez, with 13 ambitions in his very last 17 games, was future to go up a fantastic likelihood, shooting straight at Guaita when an work any place else would have broken the deadlock.

The Algerian once more arrived near, arrowing just around in the final moment of a initially-fifty percent that someway ended goalless.

Cheikhou Kouyate could not make meaningful speak to with a header just 6 yards from Ederson’s objective as the 2nd 50 percent began in a comparable fashion.

The Palace aim was living a charmed lifestyle, De Bruyne putting the within of a submit and Mahrez’s observe-up brilliantly saved by a recovering Guaita.

For all their chances, Town commenced to toil as Palace held firm – even as their counter-assault options lessened.

Bernardo failed to make contact with a Jack Grealish cross when just 4 yards out, with Guardiola unmoved and his substitutes continue to warming up along the touchline.

Palace ended up starting to tire but their resolute efficiency was trying to keep them in the contest as the game entered the last phases.

Irrespective of that, substitute Odsonne Edouard broke cost-free but could only shoot at the legs of a defender whilst Wilfried Zaha stung the palms of Ederson.

City could not muster a late intention, Laporte not able to change home a free of charge-kick right before a mishap at the other finish just about let in Gallagher.

The end result signifies the title race is now finely-poised, with Liverpool subsequent to stake their declare when they pay a visit to the cash in much less than 48 hrs.

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