Crystal Palace vs. Manchester City 2015: Final score 2-1, Citizens keep sinking

A month ago, Manchester City were worried about staying in the title race. Now, they’re a bit more concerned about ensuring they’ll play Champions League football next season. Crystal Palace ran out deserved 2-1 winners over City on Monday, and their visitors are now nine points back of Chelsea.

Palace should have taken the lead in the opening minute, but missed a pair of golden opportunities back-to-back. A Martin Kelly cross found its way to two unmarked Palace players at the back post, but Jason Puncheon whiffed and Wilfried Zaha hit his shot over the crossbar.

City settled in after that, and were the better side through the half-hour mark. Sergio Aguero hit the post in the 19th minute and Julian Speroni had to make a diving stop on a deflected shot by David Silva 10 minutes later.

But Palace went ahead in the 34th minute, and in controversial fashion. After City cleared a corner, they wanted an offside call on the ball back in towards the box, then again on the eventual goal-scorer, Glenn Murray. He was right on the back shoulder of the last defender when Scott Dann hit his shot. Joe Hart saved, but couldn’t stop Murray from putting in the rebound.

There was no argument about City’s second goal, a stunning free kick by Puncheon. He curled a perfect shot over the wall, then under Hart’s hand in the bottom corner, scoring from right around 25 yards.

Palace continued to threaten after that instead of sitting back, but City started to take control around the 70 minute mark. They should have had a penalty in the 72nd minute when Murray handled a ball off the line, but the referee didn’t spot it.

Eventually, City got back into the game through an absolute rocket of a goal by Yaya Toure, but it would be the only one they scored on the night, and Palace hung on for all three points.

Goals: Murray (34’), Puncheon (48’)

Goals: Toure (78’)