Manchester City vs Crystal Palace: Roy Hodgson's side hand champions major title blow
Re-live the action from the Etihad Stadium
Your support helps us to tell the story
My recent work focusing on Latino voters in Arizona has shown me how crucial independent journalism is in giving voice to underrepresented communities.
Your support is what allows us to tell these stories, bringing attention to the issues that are often overlooked. Without your contributions, these voices might not be heard.
Every dollar you give helps us continue to shine a light on these critical issues in the run up to the election and beyond
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:
37 minutes
More injury woes for Unai Emery.
Nacho Monreal is grimacing as he is replaced, and Arsenal lose yet another centre-back option.
Stephan Lichtsteiner comes on, and there'll be a reshuffle.
A back-three - Lichtsteiner, Sokratis, Granit Xhaka - is the new defensive system.
40 minutes
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang can't thread a pass through to Alexandre Lacazette as Kevin Long slides back well.
It is again Ashley Barnes and Sokratis in close proximity as Burnley break, with the latter hauling down the former. Barnes seems on the verge of a violent reaction and potential second yellow as Sokratis clings on, but just about keeps his cool.
The Greek is cautioned. Those two will have to be careful.
42 minutes
Ben Mee will take the free kick...
Atrocious. His chipped pass down the middle floats into Bernd Leno's hands with no Burnley player even within ten yards of the German goalkeeper.
44 minutes
Arsenal have lost their fluency as this game has become increasingly scrappy.
Ben Mee nearly offers them a chance, throwing caution to the wind in foolish fashion as he charges forward, but Kevin Long covers well to intervene on Alexandre Lacazette.
45 minutes
Two additional minutes signalled at the end of the first half.
Not the best half of football, and one that worsened as it continued, but Arsenal do have a 1-0 lead thanks to a lovely team goal from Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
Arsenal lead a Premier League game at half-time for the first time this season, but they've had to scrap for it.
Both teams started with a flurry of chances, and Burnley won't be too worried to be a goal behind. They'll always threaten from balls into the box, and have looked relatively stout defensively, barring a few individual errors.
The second half kicks off at the Emirates Stadium.
46 minutes
A long ball down the Burnley right is well won by a fast-arriving Bernd Leno on the edge of his box.
Chris Wood's attempt to win the ball finds only Leno's midriff, and the striker is somewhat harshly booked as Leno receives treatment.
GOAL! Arsenal 2-0 Burnley (Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, 48 minutes)
Two for Aubameyang!
A flowing counter-attack begins when Jack Cork fails to get his shot away on the edge of the Arsenal box.
Sead Kolasinac is again the man in space thundering down the line and the Bosnian is well found by Matteo Guendouzi.
Kolasinac looks inside where Alexandre Lacazette is also left alone by the scrambling Burnley defence, and the Frenchman in turn finds Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang peeling away to the right.
Aubameyang lashes home past Joe Hart with the benefit of the slightest of touches off Ben Mee to double Arsenal's lead.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments