Manchester City within touching distance of title after Crystal Palace succumb to 83-second salvo

City scored their 700th goal under Pep Guardiola which is 157 more than their nearest rivals during the same time. Tasty. 

For all the lack of cutting edge and ponderousness of City in the first half it was always highly unlikely they would draw blank in the second 45. So it proved - two goals in 84 seconds saw the visitors glide to a simple win that now means the title will be there's if Manchester United lose to Liverpool. 

Three minutes to add on. 

Aguero- yes, him again -  gets the ball in the inside right channel, works a bit of space and gets in a shot that is well saved by Guaita at the near post. 

Aguero is named man of the match - he's looked the sharpest City player on an afternoon where they haven't been at their best. 

His goal was him at his best, he took the half chance brilliantly. 

Eze plays in a lovely little ball which Zaha takes well but before he can pull the trigger and get his shot in Ake puts in a great last-ditch tackle. 

Palace make their final change as Ayew comes on for Townsend. 

City nearly have their third - Zinchenko plays in Sterling who cuts inside and curls an effort that just goes wide. 

Free kick for City after Kouyate fouls Sterling. 

It's 30 yards out - Sterling has a pop but it's always too high and it sails into the empty stand. 

A Sterling effort, while surrounded by four defenders, is blocked. 

Aguero crossed for Sterling there, he's had a great second half. 

As soon as I write they have taken their foot off the gas City put in a great move at pace that sees Sterling play in Torres whose first-time back heel sets up a first-time Cancelo shot that goes just over. 

That would have been some goal had that gone in - City at their best, playing one-touch football at pace. 

This game is won and City, having had that 10-minute period when it looked as though they could score more than just the two, have taken their foot off the gas somewhat. 

Zaha teases Cancelo on the left before pulling in a low cross for Schlupp whose shot is saved by Ederson. That's the first time this half Zaha has got into an attacking position and caused problems for City. Easier said than done, I know, but he needs to do more of that and Palace needs to help him do that. 

That was Torres' 10th goals of the season meaning he's the sixth City player to get to double figures with the best player of them all, De Bruyne on nine. Did someone say they have a good squad?

From thinking 'how to City break down Palace?' it's now a question of how many will City score. 

From a corner the ball drops at the feet of Laporte whose shot - from all of three yards - is wonderfully blocked by Benteke. 

Sterling hits the post. City have upped the gears - Sterling beat his man and drilled it in at the near post, that was a fine attempt and unlucky. 

In the blink of an eye it's 2-0. 

Sterling lays the ball off to Torres who side foots into the corner of the net from just inside the area. 

There were 84 seconds between Aguero's opener and the second and Pep looks much happier now. 

He may be leaving City at the end of the season but he's still got it. Played in by Mendy, he took a first touch to set up the shot which gave Guaita no chance at the near  post. 

That's his first goal at fortress Selhurst Park - a collector's item. 

Agueroslams the ball into the back of the net - vintage Aguero.

Zaha doesn't look overly happy - he's moaning at anyone who comes in range. He wins a free kick, though, and it's one that is completely wasted as Kouyate asks way too much of Townsend down the right and it goes off for a goal kick. 

Fernandinho plays a lovely ball to the back post for Torres who plays a delicate, lobbed pass for Jesus in the six-yard box but Dann gets in the way. That was more like it from the visitors. 

We see Pep and he's not happy, he's huffing and puffing an it's not hard to see why. There's little movement off the ball and they making what promised to be a tough afternoon for Palace, relatively easy. 

The resulting free kick is poor - low and to no one in particular from Cancelo.

That sort of sums City up so far - they are usually so much better than this. 

Palace lose the ball when it looked as if they were about to create a chance on the edge of the City box. The visitors then break with Torres and he's fouled by Milivojevic

Guardiola will want City to move the ball quicker this half - there was a sense that they were too ponderous during the first 45 minutes and waiting for something to happen rather than making it happen. 

We're back under way at Selhurst Park. 

Who will come on first for City - Foden, De Bruyne or Mahrez? I can answer that question now as no changes have been made from either side. 

And that's it for the first 45. 

City have been underwhelming. A quick look at the team before the match would have had some saying Pep was playing his second XI. That would have been a bit harsh BUT they are playing like a second XI at the moment and you suspect Pep wil be letting them know they're playing poorly and make a few changes. 

For Palace the performance is much better than their home thrashing by Chelsea. They are playing on the front foot, being proactive and well worth the draw at the break. 

Palace have a chance to counter but Riedewald's pass for Zaha is well read by Cancelo and the chance to drive at goal goes. 

City see a lot of the ball once again and once again Palace have lots of players back and once again City play a poor ball into the box (this one by Rodri) and once again City disappoint. 

City usually create lots of two-on-ones, but this match I don't remember Palace being outnumbered at all. 

The hosts are defending well and, dare I say it, finding it easy at the moment. 

Eze is a good player, isn't he?

He helps those would would answer 'yes, he is' to that question with a wonderful first touch from a pass from the left, before getting ti on his left and firing in a shot from the edge of the box that goes just wide. 

Aguero has another shot - having been played in by Torres on the left - but Milivojevic does enough to put him off and his volley goes well wide. 

Aguero links with Sterling before his shot is blocked. The ball is then played into the box and Jesus fires the ball into the net BUT it's offside, the Brazilian mistiming his run. 

Here's a stat - both sides have had five attempts on goal. 

Guardiola sometimes  isn't happy with sublime football so I wonder what he thinks of what's he's seen from his players so far? I'll stick my neck out and predict he wont be happy...

Guaita is yet to make a save. For all of City's possession they are yet to fashion a clearcut chance. 

The hosts are looking lively - Zaha and Benteke create havoc on the edge of the City area and Riedewald has an ambitious attempt that causes Ederson no problems at all as the ball flies high and wide into the empty stand. 

Chance for Benteke! 

Ward and Townsend link well on the right before Ward pulls the ball back into the box, it eventually falls at the feet of Benteke who turns and shoots but his effort is saved by the legs of Ederson. 

For all their lack of cutting edge so far and Palace looking comfortable, you suspect City have another gear to go to if needed. 

City are in control of the ball but you suspect Palace will get some chances on the break. Zaha has the ball wide on the left and is looking to cut inside BUT before he can think of causing mischief in City's final third the flag is raised for offside. 

City seeing more of the ball and territory but Palace are having chances to break. Hodgson will be more than happy with how the game has gone so far. 

Great move by City, Aguero and Jesus combine well and once again they over elaborate and the chance goes. 

Here's an interesting stat - for all the goals he's scored for City, Aguero has never experienced the pure joy you must feel when finding the back of the net at Selhurst Park. Today is his last chance. 

Chance for Sterling. 

The winger is played in over the top - he timed his run well - he cuts inside and fails to pull the trigger in time and Palace scramble it away. 

Palace are defending in numbers and deep. City are trying to pass through the eye of the needle and it's all rather easy for the hosts so far. 

They then break up field and Townsend gets in a cross aimed at Beneteke but it's a poor delivery and goes out. 

Compared to the Chelsea match I was speaking about before the match Palace have been much better. They're been more proactive, have had a good chance and are making City look average. 

As I type that Aguero shoots from distance on the left and the ball goes sailing harmlessly over the bar. 

Aguero plays in Torres who slips - this start has been far from slick from City. 

City create their first real chance of the game - Mendy puts the ball to the back post and Torres, unmarked, volleys first time. It takes a deflection and it's a corner. 

From the set piece Palace go to the other end of the pitch and Benteke gets on the end of a cross but his header goes just wide. It was a beautifully flighted ball and it looks as though the Belgian got up too early - good chance, though. 

City look a bit sloppy at the moment, they've given the ball away a couple of times so far - very unlike them. 

Cancelo miscontrols the ball - a collector's item - and it's a throw to Palace. City players are fallible. 

This is a chance for Sterling to remind everyone - Pep and Gareth Southgate included - of his talent. He's been dropped for some of the big games recently and could do with a good game. 

Zaha wins the ball but uses his hands in the process and it's a free kick to City. The set piece goes deep and Ward heads the danger clear. 

Palace are in there traditional blue and red kit and City are in white.

Glenn Hoddle on BT Sport co-comms says 'it's tough to face City'. Thanks for that,  Glenn. 

We're under way at Selhurst Park...

Having watched the hosts' defeat to Chelsea a couple of weeks ago, the main aims for Hodgson's team will be to not concede early (against Chelsea it could have been a cricket score by half time) and to play with more impetus and aggression in defence (against Chelsea they were way too passive and stood off the opposition.)  

And we're ready to go in south London...

On the packed fixture schedule…

“We have done what we have done the past few months, everyone is getting a game. Some are tired some are fresh. We have to adapt to the quality of the players.”

On Crystal Palace making life tough for City…

“Yes, especially at home. We lost and drew to them [in the past], they know what they have to do.”

On winning the title…

“We need two games to win the title so winning today would be good.”

Once again Hodgson has steered them to safety, they're not in a relegation battle BUT there is a bit of disquiet down Thornton Heath way...it's all been a bit - how to say this? - dull, boring, tear-your-hair-out tiring to watch. 

The former England manager goes about securing safety for his teams with all the elan of a man mowing the front lawn. It gets results but the fans are falling asleep and want more. 

Several players are out of contract soon and the manager may well move on. The fans may get some excitement as a result (depending on the identity of any new coach) but may well relearn how painful relegation battles are in the process. There is a huge sense of the club being at some sort of crossroads. 

As Hodgson said, City were sublime on Wednesday against PSG. They epitomised a Pep Guardiola side playing at the limits of what the exacting coach wants from his players, and all at the very highest level. 

As our own Sam Dean wrote...

Against Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday night, Guardiola’s side did all that and more. After a gruelling first 30 minutes, in which they looked a little frightened of PSG’s attacking talent, they cleared their heads and went on to produce one of the finest displays by an English side at this stage of Europe’s premier competition

READ Sam's summary of just how good City were and how they were able to reach such a special, exciting level HERE. 

On the challenge of facing City…

“I used the word trepidation yesterday and that sums it up. They’ve been so good, and against PSG it was a close to perfection as you can get.”

On the side Pep has picked…

“It’s pretty much a fresh team but still of Premier League quality, but that’s no surprise, they have a good, big squad. I am not shocked he’s changed a few players but the ones he’s brought in are still so good.”

On bringing in Andros Townsend…

“He’s down well against City before, and we think this is the type of game he does well in.”

Regardless of whether it's this weekend - a reminder: if City win today and Man Utd lose against Liverpool the title will be going to the Etihad tomorrow - it's only a matter of time before Pep's players lift the trophy. They've been brilliant since their early season blip and against PSG in midweek were as close to perfection as we've seen in a few years. 

But obviously three points this lunchtime means they'll be that much closer to the inevitable title - their fifth in the past 10 years. Useful...

MAN CITY XI TO FACE CRYSTAL PALACE: Ederson, Cancelo, Laporte, Ake, Mendy, Rodri, Fernandinho, Torres, Jesus, Aguero, Sterling, Subs: Walker, Dias, Gündogan, Zinchenko, Steffen, De Bruyne, Bernardo Silva, Mahrez, Foden

It’s a another week of that great game ‘Guess Which XI Pep Will Pick!’ 

This week everyone’s favourite Catalan coach has really played a blinder. The bench is more talented than the XI starting this week. 

De Bruyne, Foden, Mahrez, Walker - to name only four in-form world-class players - will all be sitting on their backsides for the first 45 minutes at least. 

It shouldn’t come as a shock, though. City have the second leg against PSG this week and so the eight changes (although not great for everyone’s fantasy football teams, mine included…) are sort of to be expected…

The big news regarding those starting is that Aguero will begin…

CRYSTAL PALACE XI TO FCAE MAN CITY: Guaita, Ward, Kouyate, Dann, Mitchell, Milivojevic, Riedewald, Eze, Townsend, Benteke, Zaha, Subs: Butland, van Aanholt, J Ayew, Mateta, Schlupp, McCarthy, Batshuayi, Cahill, Kelly

Van Aanholt is dropped to the bench as does Jordan Ayew with Mitchell and Townsend come in. 

By Jason Burt

Pep Guardiola has praised Manchester City’s “extraordinary” season ahead of them potentially being crowned Premier League champions this weekend.

The City manager refused to discuss the prospect of winning his third title in four years but if his side beat Crystal Palace away – and if Liverpool win at Manchester United on Sunday – then they will be unassailable.

“The season has been extraordinary already,” Guardiola said. “Now, of course, we have an incredible title ahead of us and tomorrow we have 90 per cent, 95 per cent chance [to take a big step] to win it and that’s why it’s incredibly close.”

Guardiola added that he still believed City needed five points to make it mathematically certain – with Chelsea to face next weekend – because he feared United will win all their remaining games.

However with the second leg of their Champions League semi-final against Paris Saint-Germain to come on Tuesday, with City leading 2-1 from their game in France, and with the Carabao Cup won for a fourth successive season Guardiola said the circumstances of this season had made their achievements so far all the more impressive.

“It’s a tough year, the lockdown. The team has been more resilient and calm,” Guardiola said. “When you play every three days you don’t have time to see things clearly, because it’s the next one – then travel, then organise the team, then whatever. “This is the most difficult thing when you play a lot of games, but the difference here is lockdown – our lives have changed completely – and it’s a shorter period of time. That makes this season so special for everyone. Winning one title [trophy] already, close to another and play another final on Tuesday. It has been exceptional.” 

Guardiola acknowledge that he has been helped by the strength of City’s squad. “The only reason is the quality of the players,” he said. “No more secrets, in one season you can be a success, win something important, but to do it over the years it’s just one secret: have quality players. Don’t sell it on any aspects than that. When you have a team like this you can sustain it for a long time.”