Match Report: Crystal Palace 2-1 Manchester City: Murray & Puncheon leave City title defence hopes stained!

Goals from Glenn Murray and Jason Puncheon all but ended Manchester City's title
defence as Manuel Pellegrini's side fell to a 2-1 defeat at Crystal Palace.
Despite dominating large swathes of the game, City were stunned by Murray's
first-half opener before Puncheon doubled the lead just after half time with a
superb free-kick.
Yaya Toure gave his side hope when a fantastic left-footed half volley flew past
Julian Speroni but it wasn't enough to galvanise City into a comeback.


Manchester City’s title hopes are dead. On a
night of wonderful attacking football, Crystal
Palace brutally laid to rest any remaining hope
that City may have had of reclaiming the trophy
they so fortunately won last season.
Manuel Pellegrini’s men turned in an abject
performance, their rigid 4-4-2 formation
contributing to a display of dour, sideways
passing. Palace had a game plan, stuck to it,
and came out deserved winners - despite the
controversy surrounding their opening goal.
A number of City players simply weren’t good
enough, and Vincent Kompany was the main
culprit. He is the leader of this team and yet his
decline is emblematic of a wider problem at the
club - they have simply refused to adapt and
move with the times.
Jose Mourinho will have afforded himself a wry
smile as the full-time whistle was blown.
Palace may have the three points, but the real
winners here play at Stamford Bridge, while City
now face a battle for second place.
Photo Credit: Goal