Sawt Falasteen - 'Outstanding' Haaland stars in win over Palace to fire Man City title charge

Pep Guardiola's second-placed side moved within two points of Arsenal after a hard-fought success at Selhurst Park.

Norway striker Haaland opened the scoring late in the first half and England forward Phil Foden netted after the break.

Haaland bagged his 23rd goal this season to complete City's fifth successive win in all competitions.

Arsenal's dramatic late win over bottom of the table Wolves on Saturday had put pressure on City to respond. Guardiola's men were up to the task, overcoming a spluttering display in large part because of the quality of their finishing.

"Erling is a forward to score the goals but in the second half he keeps the ball. He was able to contain situations. He helped us be together. In the second half he was outstanding," Guardiola said.

After coming from behind to win 2-1 at Real Madrid in their glamour Champions League clash in midweek, a trip to freezing south London to face their FA Cup final conquerors was a testing trip for far different reasons.

City were facing Palace for the first time since their shock FA Cup final defeat against the Eagles at Wembley in May.

Glasner out-witted Guardiola with a tactical masterclass in the final.

But City avenged that loss to keep the title race bubbling ahead of the hectic Christmas period.

"It is a really tough place to come. When you lose the ball they attack incredibly well but we were patient. We were lucky when they hit the post but really pleased for the performance and victory to grow our mentality," Guardiola said.

"In the first half we were too much in a rush. We talked about the spaces we should attack but we were not patient enough. After we played with the tempo we should."

- Gritty City -

Yeremy Pino should have exploited City's defensive frailty when Adam Wharton's sublime pass sent him sprinting clear of the visitors' creaky offside trap, but his shot smashed off the crossbar with just Gianluigi Donnarumma to beat.

With Palace set up to neutralise City's attacks, Guardiola's men struggled to find any rhythm for long periods and Pino threatened again with a low shot that forced Donnarumma into action.

It took City half an hour to muster their first shot on target as Foden's free-kick was parried by Dean Henderson.

Haaland had barely had a kick before he put City ahead in typically predatory fashion in the 41st minute.

Matheus Nunes curled a pin-point cross towards the far post and Haaland peeled away from Chris Richards to thump a superb header past Henderson from six yards.

Donnarumma preserved City's lead, diving at Jean-Philippe Mateta's feet and then saving the France striker's close-range effort.

Palace had won four of their previous six league games, losing only once, and they were inches away from a second half equaliser when Wharton robbed Nico Gonzalez and lashed against the post from the edge of the area.

Without Belgian winger Jeremy Doku due to a leg injury, City were nowhere near the best and Guardiola's frustration boiled over as he argued with Glasner on the touchline.

But Foden eased Guardiola's angst with his sixth league goal in his last four games in the 69th minute.

Rayan Cherki sparked the goal with a dynamic run towards the Palace area before Foden arrowed a low drive past Henderson from 18 yards.

Haaland wrapped up City's gritty win in the 89th minute, calmly sending Henderson the wrong way from the penalty spot after the Palace keeper had fouled Savinho.

M.AlAhmad--SF-PST