Manchester City 3-0 Crystal Palace: Semenyo 32, Marmoush 40, Doku 84
With hopes of the Premier League title dwindling and one eye on Saturday’s FA Cup final, Pep Guardiola made six changes to the Manchester City side that beat Brentford, leaving Erling Haaland, Rayan Cherki and Jeremy Doku out of the starting lineup.
It mattered little as City eased to victory through goals from Antoine Semenyo, Omar Marmoush and Savinho. The result moved City back to within two points of leaders Arsenal with two matches remaining, although Guardiola’s side still require a major collapse from the Gunners if they are to lift the title.
There were signs of rust early on from City’s reshuffled defence. Palace thought they had taken the lead when Jean-Philippe Mateta found the net, only for the effort to be ruled out for offside against Brennan Johnson in the build-up. Johnson continued to trouble City down the left and Palace created another opening when Chris Richards headed over from Will Hughes’ corner.
City, however, slowly settled and eventually found their rhythm through Phil Foden. The England international has struggled for form in recent months but delivered the game’s defining moment midway through the first half. Receiving the ball with his back to goal, Foden spotted Semenyo’s run and produced an instinctive backheel into his path. Semenyo did the rest, sweeping past Dean Henderson to give City the lead.
Guardiola celebrated wildly on the touchline, though his frustration returned moments later when Tyrick Mitchell was afforded space to test Gianluigi Donnarumma from distance.
City doubled their advantage before the interval. Rayan Ait-Nouri floated a cross into the area, Foden cleverly redirected it, and Marmoush crashed home emphatically from close range.
At 2-0, the contest largely drifted away from Palace. Foden nearly collected a third assist when he picked out Josko Gvardiol with a measured delivery, but Henderson produced an excellent save to deny the defender.
Palace manager Oliver Glasner had rotated his own side with the Conference League final looming, and his team struggled to match City’s tempo on the rain-soaked surface in the second half.
Doku’s introduction added further urgency to City’s attack and Palace briefly threatened when substitute Ismaila Sarr broke through, only to push the ball straight at Donnarumma. Savinho eventually wrapped up the win six minutes from time, capping another excellent City team move and ensuring Guardiola’s side remain uncomfortably behind Arsenal.
