Premier League Title Race Tightens As City Push For Final-day Glory And Arsenal Hold Lead

Manchester City keep the Premier League title race alive after beating Crystal Palace 3-0 in their game in hand, closing the gap to Arsenal to two points with two fixtures left and also improving goal difference, which may prove crucial if the race remains tight on the final day.

Arsenal can move back five points clear by defeating Burnley on Monday, which would leave City needing victory against Bournemouth on Tuesday, with that match delayed because of Saturday’s FA Cup final against Chelsea, to ensure the championship is decided across the final round of league games.

Phil Foden underlined the squad’s mindset, stressing that City intend to maintain pressure on Arsenal until the last kick, and that experience of tense finishes will matter. "It's a team game at the end of the day, if you want to win titles and trophies, it's about a full squad and everyone playing their part," Foden told Sky Sports. "The aim is to keep pushing and keep them on their toes. We've seen a lot of things can happen on the final day. I've experienced it many times when the game doesn't go your way. We just have to keep pushing and doing our part."

The match at Etihad Stadium featured a heavily rotated City line-up, yet Antoine Semenyo, Omar Marmoush and Savinho all found the net, showing City’s depth and also adding three more goals to their difference column, which could be decisive if City and Arsenal finish level on points after 38 matches.

This result marked the ninth occasion this season that City have won a Premier League game 3-0, making that scoreline their most regular winning margin and the most frequent across any club in the division, while the success also stretched City’s unbeaten league sequence to 14 matches, with 10 victories and four draws in that spell.

The only side currently enjoying a longer undefeated league streak are Bournemouth, who stand on 16 games without loss and are City’s next opponents, adding extra interest to Tuesday’s meeting given both the title picture and the statistical runs involved.

Premier League creativity from Phil Foden for Manchester City

Foden delivered two assists against Palace, including a no-look backheel that set up Semenyo’s opener, and this was the first time since December 2023, when City faced Sheffield United, that Foden had registered two assists in a single Premier League match for the club.

Describing that backheel, Foden explained the level of risk involved in the move. "I checked a few times before receiving the ball, and I saw Ant [Semenyo] make a good movement. It is one of those; sometimes it doesn't come off," he added. "Sometimes a risk is worth taking, and I'm very delighted it came offand we scored from it. Buzzing to contribute to a goal and help the lads get three points, which is the most important."

Manchester City Premier League win and Crystal Palace struggles

Pep Guardiola highlighted how Foden influenced a match where control and quality mattered most, telling BBC Match of the Day: "These types of games, the quality makes the difference. And Phil is full of it in his body. I am beyond happy and satisfied. Phil, we know his qualities. I appreciate him a lot. Incredible runner and fighter. In the final third, an incredible spark. I was really pleased with that."

The defeat continued a difficult Premier League spell for Crystal Palace, who have collected only four wins across their last 21 league fixtures, drawing six and losing 11 in a sequence that began with another 3-0 home loss to City in December, and Palace now sit 15th after failing to win any of the past five games while also preparing for a Conference League final in the coming weeks.

Head coach Oliver Glasner accepted that Palace fell short of the level needed away at City, stating to Sky Sports: "If you want to get a point or even more, you need a top performance at the Etihad. We didn't have a top performance. Some parts were okay, some parts were not good enough. We didn't stick to the plan, particularly in the first half. Instead, we lost the ball because we were not quick enough, and we did not have the solution before we had the ball. We couldn't take advantage of their mistakes. If you make too many mistakes at the back, then you have no chance against City. We tried, everybody tried, but again it is not so easy against a team like City. In the end, City deserved the win. Again, it is four days until the next game, and we will do the same."

City now turn attention to Bournemouth and the FA Cup final against Chelsea, knowing that two more strong league performances, combined with any slip from Arsenal, could deliver another Premier League title, while Palace look to stabilise league form and regroup before that Conference League final and the remaining domestic fixtures.