• CRYSTAL PALACE: Vicente Guaita 7 – Spilled a tame shot from Kevin De Bruyne in the first half, which on another day would have been punished. He recovered well in the second period, pulling off a number of sharp reflex stops to secure the clean sheet. AFP
    CRYSTAL PALACE: Vicente Guaita 7 – Spilled a tame shot from Kevin De Bruyne in the first half, which on another day would have been punished. He recovered well in the second period, pulling off a number of sharp reflex stops to secure the clean sheet. AFP
  • Nathaniel Clyne 5 – Looked especially vulnerable up against the ever-dangerous Jack Grealish. Was barely able to get out of his own half after being pinned back by waves of City attacks. AP Photo
    Nathaniel Clyne 5 – Looked especially vulnerable up against the ever-dangerous Jack Grealish. Was barely able to get out of his own half after being pinned back by waves of City attacks. AP Photo
  • Joachim Andersen 7 – Very impressive aerially, with the defender also managing to charge down and block a number of City efforts at goal. His distribution was the only thing that let him down. EPA
    Joachim Andersen 7 – Very impressive aerially, with the defender also managing to charge down and block a number of City efforts at goal. His distribution was the only thing that let him down. EPA
  • Marc Guehi 7 – Stayed positionally disciplined, tracking Phil Foden especially well throughout. The young Englishman played a vital role in keeping the hosts in the game. EPA
    Marc Guehi 7 – Stayed positionally disciplined, tracking Phil Foden especially well throughout. The young Englishman played a vital role in keeping the hosts in the game. EPA
  • Tyrick Mitchell 7 – Marking Riyad Mahrez was always going to be a tough ask for the full-back, but he worked tremendously hard to deny the Algerian space on the right. Was responsible for several astute – and vital – interceptions. EPA
    Tyrick Mitchell 7 – Marking Riyad Mahrez was always going to be a tough ask for the full-back, but he worked tremendously hard to deny the Algerian space on the right. Was responsible for several astute – and vital – interceptions. EPA
  • Cheikhou Kouyate 7 – Slightly wasteful in possession, although his defensive efforts – often in the form of last-ditch blocks – should be noted. He was also booked late in the first half. Getty Images
    Cheikhou Kouyate 7 – Slightly wasteful in possession, although his defensive efforts – often in the form of last-ditch blocks – should be noted. He was also booked late in the first half. Getty Images
  • Jeffrey Schlupp 6 – Underwhelmed in the slightly unfamiliar position of defensive midfield. The 29-year-old tended to drift in and out of the game, often going long periods without touching the ball. EPA
    Jeffrey Schlupp 6 – Underwhelmed in the slightly unfamiliar position of defensive midfield. The 29-year-old tended to drift in and out of the game, often going long periods without touching the ball. EPA
  • Conor Gallagher 7 – Not as influential as he can be, but his pressing of the City defenders did lead to a handful of dangerous Palace counter attacks – and one late wayward shot. Tireless work rate, but to little avail. Getty Images
    Conor Gallagher 7 – Not as influential as he can be, but his pressing of the City defenders did lead to a handful of dangerous Palace counter attacks – and one late wayward shot. Tireless work rate, but to little avail. Getty Images
  • Michael Olise 7 – Skilful as ever in the final third, although the former Reading man’s end product was a little wasteful at times. Seemed to run out of steam as the game wore on. EPA
    Michael Olise 7 – Skilful as ever in the final third, although the former Reading man’s end product was a little wasteful at times. Seemed to run out of steam as the game wore on. EPA
  • Wilfried Zaha 6 – Couldn’t score against City for the second time this season, enduring a frustrating evening overall. The Ivorian’s second half switch to Centre-forward didn’t improve matters, as he was often left isolated. EPA
    Wilfried Zaha 6 – Couldn’t score against City for the second time this season, enduring a frustrating evening overall. The Ivorian’s second half switch to Centre-forward didn’t improve matters, as he was often left isolated. EPA
  • Jean-Philippe Mateta 7 – Very lively in the first half, causing the City backline numerous problems with his physicality and direct running. The Frenchman was replaced mid-way through the second half as Palace were forced to sit in and soak up pressure. Getty Images
    Jean-Philippe Mateta 7 – Very lively in the first half, causing the City backline numerous problems with his physicality and direct running. The Frenchman was replaced mid-way through the second half as Palace were forced to sit in and soak up pressure. Getty Images
  • SUB: Odsonne Edouard 7 – Injected some real pace in the closing stages, almost working a shooting opportunity after pressing Stones into a mistake. Getty Images
    SUB: Odsonne Edouard 7 – Injected some real pace in the closing stages, almost working a shooting opportunity after pressing Stones into a mistake. Getty Images
  • SUB: Jordan Ayew 6 – Didn’t have too many touches of the ball as City pressed for a late winner, but the Ghanaian’s work rate and eagerness to provide an attacking outlet was notable. Reuters
    SUB: Jordan Ayew 6 – Didn’t have too many touches of the ball as City pressed for a late winner, but the Ghanaian’s work rate and eagerness to provide an attacking outlet was notable. Reuters
  • MAN CITY RATINGS: Ederson 6 – Seldom had a save to make, despite the home side working some decent shooting opportunities. His distribution was exemplary, as ever. AFP
    MAN CITY RATINGS: Ederson 6 – Seldom had a save to make, despite the home side working some decent shooting opportunities. His distribution was exemplary, as ever. AFP
  • Kyle Walker 7 – Dealt superbly well with Zaha, who was starved of possession. The 31-year-old’s link-up play with Mahrez down the right proved to be a constant thorn in Palace’s side. Getty Images
    Kyle Walker 7 – Dealt superbly well with Zaha, who was starved of possession. The 31-year-old’s link-up play with Mahrez down the right proved to be a constant thorn in Palace’s side. Getty Images
  • John Stones 7 – Looked shaky early on, especially when in one v one situations against the likes of Mateta and Olise. That aside, his reading of the game made a real difference when he was forced to step out from the back. EPA
    John Stones 7 – Looked shaky early on, especially when in one v one situations against the likes of Mateta and Olise. That aside, his reading of the game made a real difference when he was forced to step out from the back. EPA
  • Aymeric Laporte 6 – Made several unforced errors, which would have been punished against a more clinical opposition. The Frenchman certainly lacked composure, even wasting a late headed chance at goal. AFP
    Aymeric Laporte 6 – Made several unforced errors, which would have been punished against a more clinical opposition. The Frenchman certainly lacked composure, even wasting a late headed chance at goal. AFP
  • Joao Cancelo 8 – Rattled the post in the first half after unleashing a fizzing long-range shot. Another fine display from one of the best attacking full-backs in world football right now. Getty Images
    Joao Cancelo 8 – Rattled the post in the first half after unleashing a fizzing long-range shot. Another fine display from one of the best attacking full-backs in world football right now. Getty Images
  • Kevin de Bruyne 9 – In a league of his own at times, running the show with some truly stunning passes and flashes of skill. The Belgian is back to his very best, which could make all the difference for City in the Premier League title race. Getty Images
    Kevin de Bruyne 9 – In a league of his own at times, running the show with some truly stunning passes and flashes of skill. The Belgian is back to his very best, which could make all the difference for City in the Premier League title race. Getty Images
  • Rodri 6 – Unconvincing in the first half, after being denied time and space by the likes of Gallagher, who never stopped running. The Spaniard did look far more assured as the game went on, however. EPA
    Rodri 6 – Unconvincing in the first half, after being denied time and space by the likes of Gallagher, who never stopped running. The Spaniard did look far more assured as the game went on, however. EPA
  • Bernardo Silva 6 – Missed two absolute sitters from no more than six yards out, failing to test Guaita on either occasion. He cut a frustrated figure at times, despite consistently getting into dangerous areas. EPA
    Bernardo Silva 6 – Missed two absolute sitters from no more than six yards out, failing to test Guaita on either occasion. He cut a frustrated figure at times, despite consistently getting into dangerous areas. EPA
  • Jack Grealish 7 – A menace on the left for the away side, flashing several threatening crosses across the Palace box. The England international picked up a yellow card in the second half. AFP
    Jack Grealish 7 – A menace on the left for the away side, flashing several threatening crosses across the Palace box. The England international picked up a yellow card in the second half. AFP
  • Riyad Mahrez 7 – Razor sharp in and around the penalty area, but much like some of his teammates, the Algerian was uncharacteristically wasteful when it came to end product. EPA
    Riyad Mahrez 7 – Razor sharp in and around the penalty area, but much like some of his teammates, the Algerian was uncharacteristically wasteful when it came to end product. EPA
  • Phil Foden 6 – Very quiet in the first half, with Palace’s two Centre-backs tracking him superbly well. Starting in the ‘false nine’ position, Foden found more joy by dropping deeper for the final 20 minutes or so. EPA
    Phil Foden 6 – Very quiet in the first half, with Palace’s two Centre-backs tracking him superbly well. Starting in the ‘false nine’ position, Foden found more joy by dropping deeper for the final 20 minutes or so. EPA

Crystal Palace vs Man City player ratings: Olise 7, Zaha 6; De Bruyne 9, Cancelo 8


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Pep Guardiola refused to panic after Manchester City wasted a host of chances in a damaging 0-0 draw at Crystal Palace on Monday that severely dented their bid to retain the Premier League title.

Guardiola's side had 18 shots but left Selhurst Park ruing a series of misses on a significant night in the title race.

Bernardo Silva and Aymeric Laporte were guilty of the most glaring miscues, with Palace keeper Vicente Guaita keeping the leaders at bay with several saves.

With second-placed Liverpool having won at Brighton on Saturday, City are now just four points clear of Jurgen Klopp's team.

Liverpool can close to within one point of City if they win their game in hand at fourth-placed Arsenal on Wednesday.

But Guardiola showed no signs of losing his cool as he insisted he was happy with City's performance and their position in the title battle.

"We played a good game and created a lot of chances but couldn't convert. Sometimes it happens," he said.

"I would prefer to have won, of course, but the way we played was amazing in a difficult stadium with the grass not perfect.

"There are many games still to play. We have to win a lot but the way we played, no regrets about the team."

Given Liverpool's red-hot form, the stalemate in south London could tip the balance of power towards Merseyside.

Liverpool have been so relentless that City need to be perfect to hold them off, and this draw, together with the recent defeat against Tottenham, have left them vulnerable to the Reds' sustained assault.

"Luck doesn't exist in football. We have to score goals and we didn't do it," Guardiola said.

Updated: March 15, 2022, 3:31 AM