Man City vs Crystal Palace highlights as Stones, Gündoğan and Sterling seal Blues win

Guardiola on the title race

A bit extra from Pep on the title race, however he nonetheless (perhaps instinctively) began by insisting his solely thought was on Crystal Palace:

Crystal Palace. I am not capable of say a lot additional. I am fairly positive there can be unhealthy moments throughout the season. It isn’t an issue, we fought loads after we have been proper factors behind, we fought to be there and we are going to combat loads to keep up to be there. Many issues will occur, it is a bizarre season. That is why I do not take into consideration the place within the desk, what’s going to occur sooner or later is relaxation nicely and put together for Aston Villa.

How will you have a good time your birthday tomorrow?

I’ll comply with the protocols from the Premier League. My household are in Barcelona so I can be alone.

Guardiola explains distinction in defence this season

Pep Guardiola tells Sky Sports activities that Metropolis’s higher type this season has been primarily based on the defence.

He mentioned:

Glorious, we did not concede. We needed to be affected person, we can not lose our areas as a result of the defend very well. It was troublesome for us, they shut inside very well and had the standard to punish on the counter assault. We have been so secure and the precise moments we scored the objectives. Right now no, tomorrow we take into consideration Aston Villa.

All of the managers after we deal with high sides we’re lucky to have this high quality. We will organise defences or assault however within the remaining third with Kevin’s help or Gundogan or Raheem. Right now John was within the fireplace within the second ball within the field. It was simpler. We’re lucky to have these high gamers.

We’re a crew we attempt to play the identical just like the final seasons however this season the again 4 we do not make errors. Previously final season we make a variety of mistake to ie the opponents objectives. This season in the event that they rating objectives we applaud them and be stable. It would not matter who performs however Ruben and John play as a result of others are injured. It provides us the arrogance. Crucial factor is we do not concede a lot and pictures heading in the right direction as a result of it is basic for our recreation.

Since we arrive right here it was final season that was the worst. The objectives towards Norwich and plenty of video games. Te years we have been champions we have been stable behind. We’ve not modified a lot, particular person high quality, Ruben helps loads, John grew up. Everybody was settle. The dedication for everybody, how the others fought, did not depart them time to suppose.

Each participant wants confidence however John deserves all of the credit score. If I’ve one participant who I am greater than happy all the pieces goes nicely it is him. He performed as a result of he deserves it. He is taking part in as a result of he deserves it and I am completely satisfied for him.

Stones on coming via the darkish occasions

A really sincere John Stones additionally spoke about coming via the darkish occasions to rediscover his finest type at Metropolis this season.

He mentioned:

I am attempting to maintain bettering, everybody retains bettering daily, recreation by recreation. Protecting clear sheets is very large, it is a platform for the lads to precise themselves on the high of the pitch. We’re taking nice satisfaction in retaining the clear sheets, it is what we’re there to do and hopefully, we will preserve the run going and preserve as many clear sheets we will as a result of they’re important in huge video games like at the moment.

We all know what’s going to occur if we preserve getting them. We’ll preserve getting factors and do not must exit and rating 4 or 5 objectives each week, if we have executed it when it is 1-0 and fought to the ninetieth minute. We take the credit score on the again, we satisfaction ourselves however we have to present credit score to the entire crew for a way they press and cease a variety of issues attending to us. It is a collective factor.

It is at all times robust if you’re not taking part in and do not get a run of video games and if you do, you do not carry out to your finest since you’re placing an excessive amount of stress on yourselves. I’ve mentioned it to mates and loads a individuals I went again to fundamentals. Checked out what I may enhance and each side. I mentioned it to [inaudible] a number of occasions and he is been very open about himself and gamers which have been in my place preserve preventing and believing in myself in the beginning must occur.

You want to have the ability to look your self within the mirror and say ‘Am I doing all the pieces for myself and the crew?’ I did that, stored working onerous, stored the religion, and stored grinding away. Maintain attempting to enhance and I nonetheless am now. It is one thing you may by no means cease seeking to enhance on your self and I am attempting to do my finest.

Stones reacts to brace after lengthy purpose drought

John Stones has been talking to Sky Sports activities:

How good a win was that?

Excellent, it was a troublesome recreation. Final two years now we have not beat them at house. It was one thing we labored on one other clear sheet and win, preserve the profitable momentum going. Two objectives for myself which is a very long time. I am delighted.

Do you keep in mind your final league purpose?

Man United, I do know it! I put a variety of stress on myself. I have to contribute and produce that to my recreation. I have been attempting onerous and typically it would not click on., at the moment it did. The onerous work on the coaching pitch has paid off and it is good to contribute.

De Bruyne’s help?

Kevin’s executed it over the seasons I have been right here. I keep in mind a number of to Leroy some outrageous passes I do not understand how he is executed it. Right now I knew it was coming straight to me. It was one thing we will solely dream of and Kev can do it every time he needs.

Full time!

Manchester Metropolis transfer as much as second on a VERY productive day for the Blues.

Two minutes added

Two minutes till Metropolis are confirmed as shifting as much as second spot.

Sterling curls within the fourth!

Very good free kick from Raheem Sterling, proper on the sting of the world, to curve the ball into the highest nook.

Redemption from his penalty miss final outing.

Watch Stones’ second purpose

Dias and Stones displaying they’ll assault in addition to defend.

Palace risk has gone

Maybe understandably, the combat has gone out of Palace and their risk nearly disappeared.

There is no such thing as a crew higher within the nation at seeing out video games than Metropolis given how masterfully they management the sport and it might be an actual shock in the event that they conceded within the remaining minutes.

Cancelo in midfield

Joao Cancelo has been taking part in in midfield not too long ago, however working from right-back. Right here, he is in a midfield two with Phil Foden now Kevin De Bruyne and Ilkay Gundogan are off.

May this be a future place change for the Portuguese?

No stress on Torres

Ferran Torres is on for the primary time since he examined optimistic for Covid. Guardiola has pressured how the medics are nonetheless not sure how every participant will get better so it will likely be an attention-grabbing 20 minutes.

Double change for Metropolis

That purpose has prompted Guardiola to relaxation Kevin De Bruyne and Ilkay Gundogan for the ultimate 20 minutes.

Ferran Torres and Joao Cancelo are on.

Stones on a hat-trick

Sky Sports activities are discussing whether or not John Stones would take a penalty if Metropolis gained one, given he’s now on a hat-trick.

What a season he is having.

Stones will get a second!

Ruben Dias is denied by Guaita from a nook with a strong downward header, and the rebound comes so far as John Stones who smashes house his second of the evening, and second within the league for Metropolis.

Guardiola nonetheless getting irritated

Guardiola remains to be making himself heard regardless of the two-goal cushion, screaming at his gamers not to surrender a foul on the sting of the field as Palace pushed ahead.

Watch Gundogan’s very good purpose

Siri: Outline ‘high nook’.

Foden comes on

Time to shuffle the pack, as Phil Foden comes on for half an hour. Bernardo goes off.

Gundogan with a magnificence!!!

Ilkay Gundogan dispossesses Andros Townsend from a nook, units himself up on the sting of the world and curls a magnificence into the highest nook from 20 yards.

A second of sheer high quality.

Change of personnel on the wings

Sterling needs a penalty

Raheem Sterling tries to drive into the world and seems to be caught by Mitchell, however stays on his ft and would not get the choice regardless of dropping posession.

Replays present there wasn’t sufficient contact for a penalty.

Rodri to come back on quickly?

He was doing a little extra intense work at half time than the opposite substitutes.

Again underway

Off we go once more.

Metropolis should be extra vocal

Lee Mason gave the impression to be awarding free-kicks and corners on the premise of whichever participant or crew shouts for them so Metropolis ought to in all probability ensure they’re vocal within the second half.

Half time scores

Ederson 7

Walker 5

Stones 8

Dias 7

Zinchenko 6

Fernandinho 7

Gundogan 5

De Bruyne 7

Bernardo 6

Sterling 7

Jesus 5

To this point, so good

It isn’t been the perfect recreation to look at, but it surely’s all going to plan up to now for Metropolis.

The one second of high quality separates the edges, with John Stones rising highest to attain his first Premier League purpose for Metropolis and provides them the lead.

One minute added

Metropolis ought to see this out and go once more after the break.

Metropolis should rise to Pep problem

That is the place Metropolis stepped off the gasoline towards Brighton and have been left with a nervy second half as their opposition grew in confidence. Right here, you possibly can see Crystal Palace fairly completely satisfied to maintain the rating at 1-0 they usually’ll strive their luck on the break and at set items.

Guardiola mentioned pre-match that video games not too long ago throughout the Premier League have been tight, hinting that he needs Metropolis to ensure of their lead after they get the probabilities. His programme notes additionally instructed his gamers to take extra management of conditions like these, so they should reply.

Noisy guests

The shouting from the Palace bench has been incessant and it has not quietened for the reason that Metropolis purpose.

Each time the ball will get into the Palace third the noise is deafening – Palace’s gamers can’t say they weren’t warned if something goes fallacious.

Watch Stones’ purpose

Come for the header. Keep for the cross.

A landmark purpose

That was Stones’ first Premier League purpose for Metropolis, Sky inform us.

The help for Kevin De Bruyne additionally takes him as much as joint tenth within the all time record of Premier League assisters. He now has 100 assists for Metropolis in all competitions, too.