Manchester City Beat Crystal Palace 3-0 as Phil Foden Shines at Etihad Stadium

Manchester City beat Crystal Palace 3-0 at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday as Phil Foden shone, with Pep Guardiola’s side moving within two points of Arsenal after 36 games each.

“extend the title race another week”

Sky Sports

Foden’s first-half influence included a backheel that set up Antoine Semenyo for the opener, and he then helped create Omar Marmoush’s second before Savinho added a late third.

AfricaFootUnited

Sky Sports said City “extend the title race another week” with a confident win over a “sluggish Crystal Palace side,” while the BBC framed the result as a canter that brought City back “to within two points of Arsenal.”

The match also came with rotation and timing in mind, with Guardiola leaving Erling Haaland, Jeremy Doku and Rayan Cherki out of the starting XI ahead of Saturday’s FA Cup final against Chelsea, and Palace preparing for the Conference League final at the end of the month.

After the win, Phil Foden insisted “We have to keep pushing and keep Arsenal on their toes,” adding “we have our part to play,” as City kept pressure on the Premier League leaders.

Oliver Glasner, the Crystal Palace boss, said “We have to accept Man City were too good for us,” and added that Palace “didn't stick to the plan” in possession.

BBC

The Independent reported Micah Richards urged Thomas Tuchel to include Foden in England’s World Cup squad, arguing the Manchester City midfielder can produce “magic” when it’s needed.

In the same Sky Sports report, Guardiola praised Foden’s ability to create in “small spaces,” saying “Phil receives the ball in small spaces and creates something,” while Glasner pointed to preparation and ball losses as reasons Palace fell short.

With City’s 3-0 victory, the title race tightened as City moved to within two points of Arsenal with two games left to play, and the next Premier League steps were set around Arsenal’s Monday match and City’s Tuesday fixture.

“a lot of things can happen on the final day”

beIN SPORTS

The Guardian noted Arsenal host Burnley on Monday and that City’s chances hinge on “keep hoping for a favour from Burnley or Palace,” with Palace hosting Arsenal in the season finale a week on Sunday.

beIN SPORTS said City’s title battle could go to the final day, with Foden telling Sky Sports that “a lot of things can happen on the final day,” and it also described City’s unbeaten run as extending to 14 games (W10 D4).

Meanwhile, Sky Sports said City play Chelsea in the FA Cup showpiece at Wembley in three days, while Palace will compete in the Conference League final at the end of the month, leaving both sides balancing immediate stakes with squad management.