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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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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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Two goals for David Brooks; three points for Bournemouth against Brighton.

Harry Latham-Coyle22 December 2018 16:52
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Full-time at the London Stadium, and West Ham's winning run is at an end as Watford earn a strong away victory.

Harry Latham-Coyle22 December 2018 16:53
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A clean sheet for Fulham at last! But no goals for Claudio Ranieir's side as they draw with Newcastle.

Harry Latham-Coyle22 December 2018 16:53
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And that's that at the Etihad! A shock away victory for Crystal Palace, coming from behind to beat Manchester City 3-2!

Harry Latham-Coyle22 December 2018 16:54
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Ralph Hasenhuttl's Southampton score three once again, and it is another impressive victory for his side at Huddersfield.

Harry Latham-Coyle22 December 2018 16:55
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FULL-TIME SCORES

Bournemouth 2-0 Brighton

Chelsea 0-1 Leicester

Huddersfield 1-3 Southampton

Manchester City 2-3 Crystal Palace

Newcastle 0-0 Fulham

West Ham 0-2 Watford

Harry Latham-Coyle22 December 2018 16:58
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What a win for Crystal Palace, the most unlikely of triumphs at the home of the defending champions. I'm sure plenty of Liverpool fans are enjoying that result, too.

Claude Puel was reportedly set for the sack before the game, but Leicester's win at Stamford Bridge will surely keep him at the club for a while longer yet.

And finally a clean sheet for Fulham, though it sounds like their visit to St James' Park was nothing to write home about. A great afternoon of Premier League action, but there is still one more game to come on this day of festive football...

Harry Latham-Coyle22 December 2018 17:04
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Yes, attentions now turn to Wales, to the Cardiff City Stadium where Manchester United are set to play for the first time since sacking Jose Mourinho this week.

And their interim manager knows their opponents quite well...

Harry Latham-Coyle22 December 2018 17:09
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Ole Ole Ole...

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer takes the reins at Manchester United for the first time this evening, and his only previous managerial experience in England came with their opponents tonight.

Solskjaer arrived at Cardiff City almost five years ago in January 2014 with the club in strife, and won his first game in charge in the FA Cup. However, he and the club struggled from there, eventually being relegated after finishing bottom of the Premier League. 

A lacklustre start to the subsequent Championship campaign saw Solskjaer sacked, but the Norwegian now returns to English football facing an altogether different challenge.

Harry Latham-Coyle22 December 2018 17:14
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TEAM NEWS

So what team has Solskjaer picked in his first game as manager of Manchester United?

Well, it is good news for fans of Paul Pogba, with the Frenchman one of four returnees to the starting lineup. Luke Shaw, Phil Jones and Anthony Martial are the others...

Harry Latham-Coyle22 December 2018 17:15

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