Champions Man City drop 3 consecutive points in as many games, as manager Pepe Guardiola side capitulates to pressure
By Ed Emeanua
An hair puller at the Etihad
Champions Manchester City continues to struggle in their Premier League defence as the Citizens are forced to a third stalemate in as many matches.
City even squandered a 2-0 advantage at home on Saturday, allowing Crystal Palace to claw back from imminent defeat to a 2-2 draw right there at the Lion’s den.
In an action and drama packed weekend at various Premier League venues, the pair of Manchester City and Luton Town led at half-time in a low-scoring 45 minutes of Saturday’s Premier League plays.
Jack Grealish powered City ahead at the Etihad against Crystal Palace just as Elijah Adebayo’s swift headed goal gave visiting Luton the lead at Bournemouth.
Elsewhere, Chelsea are held at bay in a scoreless action packed encounter at Stamford Bridge by stubborn Sheffield United while the event at Newcastle has produced no goal against visiting Fulham.
However, Raul Jimenez has seen red having been ejected from the visitors’ lineup at St. James’s Park, while Newcastle will now add both Fabian Schar and Joelinton to their growing injury list as both were taken off injured in the opening period.
Half-time scores:
Bournemouth 0-1 Luton
Chelsea 0-0 Sheffield United
Manchester City 1-0 Crystal Palace
Newcastle 0-0 Fulham
Chelsea finally broke the deadlock in the 54th minute when Raheem Sterling places the ball low across the six-yard line for Cole Palmer to score.
Elsewhere, Julian Alvarez believed he’s netted but the flag raised. His free-kick from the right scuttles straight in but Rodri was already offside and VAR showed he made a move for the ball.
A total Ping-Pong in the Luton area finally sees the ball ultimately fall for in-form Dominic Solanke who buries it in the net. It is now Bournemouth 1-1 Luton Town on 54th minute at Vitality Stadium.
Santa has come to town for an early Christmas
Jack Grealish locates Phil Foden on the edge of the area in the 55th minute, who in turn, lifts it in for Rico Lewis to blaze it home. Man City goes two up at the Etihad.
Bruno Guimaraes scores a sublime goal for Newcastle having taken superb touches on the edge of the box before the ball bounces through to Lewis Miley, who plants it in the bottom corner. Newcastle 1-0 Fulham on 57th minute.
The players at Vitality Stadium have been ordered down the tunnel as in a 55th minute stoppage as the match has been suspended. as a result of a player medical incident involving Tom Lockyer.
Chelsea is now 2-0 up at Stamford Bridge and the Blues are now in full control.
So too have Newcastle. A Lovely ball sends Anthony Gordo through from which he evades the touch of Callum Wilson but allows Miguel Almiron a simple tap in to score. Newcastle 2-0 Fulham on 76 minutes.
Some drama at the Etihad. Jeffrey Schlupp pounces on to a shredded ball forward, produces some crisp touches, before allowing Jean-Philippe Mateta to stroke it into an empty net. Man City 2-1 Crystal Palace on 75th minute.
Bruno Guimaraes’ brilliance produces the ball from the right, which is headed to Bernd Leno by Dan Burn, and the save falls back to him to scramble it into the net on the 82nd minute. Newcastle 3-0 Fulham.
More drama at the Etihad. On 90+3 minutes, Phil Foden attempts to clear the ball as Jean-Philippe Mateta threatens, but brings him down, leaving referee Paul Tierney no choice than to award a penalty!
It is now fulltime at Stamford Bridge. Cole Palmer and Nicolas Jackson’s goals have buoyed Chelsea back to winning ways.
Ederson dives to his left to clutch at thin air, just as Michael Olise slots his penalty kick into the right corner. It is now two all at the Etihad. Who could have thought this could be a possibility?
FULL-TIME Man City 2-2 Crystal Palace.
FULL-TIME Newcastle 3-0 Fulham.
