Double pack from Haaland
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Manchester City remains close on leaders Arsenal FC in the Premier League. Coach Pep Guardiola’s team won 3-0 (1-0) at Crystal Palace thanks to double goalscorers Erling Haaland and Phil Foden.
The Eagles played well and should have taken the lead after a good quarter of an hour, but Yéremy Pino hit the crossbar when he was free in front of the goal. Man City was the more relaxed team. Former Dortmund player Haaland (41st minute) gave the Citizens the lead shortly before half-time after a cross from Matheus Nunes.
After the break, Crystal Palace were initially the more active team and pushed for an equalizer. But the hosts, trained by Oliver Glasner, remained unlucky in front of the opposing goal. Finally, Foden (69′) increased Man City’s lead to 2-0. In the final stages, Savinho was knocked off his feet during a counterattack by Palace keeper Dean Henderson. Haaland converted the penalty again (89th) to make the final score. After 16 matchdays, the Norwegian has 17 goals to his name, only he was even better in 2022/23 with 20 goals.
Exciting race for the top of the Premier League
This means things remain exciting in the top half of the table. As second in the table, Man City (34 points) is still only two points behind leaders Arsenal (36). Aston Villa (33), who are surprisingly strong third in the table this season and won 3-2 (1-2) at West Ham, are only one point less than City.
While champions FC Liverpool with German national player Florian Wirtz are only in sixth place despite a win against Brighton & Hove Albion (2-0), DFB colleague Nick Woltemade and his team are even far behind in twelfth place. Newcastle United lost the derby at AFC Sunderland 0-1 (0-0). Woltemade, of all people, headed into his own goal with an unsuccessful defensive action after a cross.