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As it happenedended1545499459

Manchester City vs Crystal Palace: Roy Hodgson's side hand champions major title blow

Re-live the action from the Etihad Stadium

Harry Latham-Coyle
Saturday 22 December 2018 12:15 EST
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Manchester City: A look back at 2018

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Head shot of Eric Garcia

Eric Garcia

Washington Bureau Chief

Champions Manchester City will trail Premier League leaders Liverpool by four points on Christmas Day after a shock 3-2 loss to Crystal Palace.

Andros Townsend scored one of the goals of the season as Roy Hodgson's inspired Palace came from behind to condemn City to their first league defeat at the Etihad Stadium since April.

Townsend struck with a 30-yard volley after Jeffrey Schlupp had cancelled out Ilkay Gundogan's opener on a rain-soaked afternoon.

A penalty from Luka Milivojevic sealed victory although Kevin De Bruyne's cross-cum-shot gave City, who also hit the post through Leroy Sane, late hope.

The defeat was City's second in three league games and handed the title initiative to Liverpool, whom they face on 3 January. Re-live the action in the blog below:

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Around the six grounds, the second-halves are beginning to get underway.

Harry Latham-Coyle22 December 2018 16:02
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Newcastle 0-0 Fulham, 46 minutes

One man who will be particularly keen for a goal today is Aleksandar Mitrovic, back at Newcastle with Fulham.

Mitrovic is played in behind by Callum Chambers but can't beat Martin Dubravka with an effort that may have been an attempted cross. 

0-0 at St James' Park.

Harry Latham-Coyle22 December 2018 16:07
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GOAL! Chelsea 0-1 Leicester (Jamie Vardy, 51 minutes)

Back in the team, back with a goal.

Jamie Vardy and James Maddison combine and the former makes no mistake with a good finish past Kepa Arrizabalaga.

Harry Latham-Coyle22 December 2018 16:08
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PENALTY TO CRYSTAL PALACE! 

Kyle Walker is adjudged to have caught Max Meyer with his sliding challenge and Andre Marriner points to the spot...

Harry Latham-Coyle22 December 2018 16:10
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GOAL! Manchester City 1-3 Crystal Palace (Luka Milivojevic, 52 minutes)

My word.

Ederson guess the right way but Luka Milivojevic's penalty is plenty firm enough to beat him.

Manchester City are heading towards a first home defeat of the season...

Harry Latham-Coyle22 December 2018 16:10
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West Ham 0-1 Watford, 52 minutes

Off the woodwork!

Robert Snodgrass curls in a corner that Michail Antonio gets his head to. Antonio is rather adept in that facet and it is a nicely directed header that seems set for the back of the net, but just fades into the heart of the post and rebounds away.

West Ham close to a leveller, but it remains 1-0 to the visitors.

Harry Latham-Coyle22 December 2018 16:12
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Huddersfield 0-2 Southampton, 55 minutes

How's that not gone in?

Alex McCarthy doesn't know a huge amount about it, but he's just made a tremendous save.

Zanka's header from close range hits the Southampton goalkeeper and then cannons off the post.

Harry Latham-Coyle22 December 2018 16:14
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GOAL! Huddersfield 1-2 Southampton (Philip Billing, 58 minutes)

There's Huddersfield's goal!

Alex McCarthy should do far better with Philip Billing's swerving strike from distance, but the goalkeeper fails to keep out the Dane's effort.

Hope for Huddersfield.

Harry Latham-Coyle22 December 2018 16:16
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Chelsea 0-1 Leicester, 61 minutes

Few would have foreseen both Chelsea and Manchester City to be trailing at this stage, but both find themselves behind.

Maurizio Sarri makes a double change - Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Olivier Giroud come on for Mateo Kovacic and Willian. Can they turn things around for Sarri's side?

Harry Latham-Coyle22 December 2018 16:21
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West Ham 0-1 Watford, 67 minutes

Huge chance for West Ham!

Felipe Anderson shimmies and shakes his way past the Watford defence and squares to Javier Hernandez, but the Mexican makes a meal of his attempted finish, completely failing to make contact with the ball.

Harry Latham-Coyle22 December 2018 16:27

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