Crystal Palace – Manchester City: Hard-Working Palace Earn Their Point (2-2)

Manchester City went behind early in this match, as their defense continues to look fragile in open play and from set-pieces. They dominated the ball with a reasonable 3-4-3 diamond attacking idea, but Crystal Palace’s organized defending kept them limited for much of the game, ultimately earning the home side a point.

Tactical analysis and match report by Josh Manley.

Crystal Palace struggled somewhat at the start of Oliver Glasner’s first full season at the club, after having finished the league campaign strongly last season. Manchester City meanwhile have had an unprecedented run of bad form under Pep Guardiola, but were able to get back to winning ways at home to Nottingham Forest last time out.

Palace lined up in a 3-4-3 shape for this game, with a back three of Trevoh Chalobah, Maxence Lacroix, and Marc Guéhi. Daniel Muñoz and Tyrick Mitchell were the wing-backs, with Will Hughes and Jefferson Lerma partnering in central midfield. Ismaïla Sarr and Eberechi Eze then supported Jean-Philippe Mateta up front.

City started in a 4-2-3-1 shape, with Kyle Walker, Rúben Dias, Joško Gvardiol, and Rico Lewis as the back four. Bernardo Silva and İlkay Gündoğan were the double-pivot with Kevin De Bruyne in the number ten role. Savinho and Matheus Nunes were the wingers either side of Erling Haaland.

Palace lead early

City were finally able to keep a clean sheet last time out, but any hopes . . .