Another setback leaves City with a mountain to climb in the title race
Man City are closer to the top of the Premier League than they were at the start of the day, but their 2-2 draw against Crystal Palace was another blow to their ambitions of achieving five crowns in a row. This was a demonstration of the vulnerabilities that took them off track.
Important players are missing. Those playing have had a heavy workload. And it all comes down to a City side that looks so vulnerable without possession. Crystal Palace scored twice but could easily have had two or three more if he had better finishing, otherwise Ruben Dias wouldn't have timed his blocks as well as he did.
Oliver Glasner highlighted the large gaps either side of Ilkay Gundogan and the defense behind him is thrown into turmoil when the opposition finds these spaces.
Up front, City remain a threat. The partnership between Kevin De Bruyne and Erling Haaland has looked dangerous every time they worked together. But after some good saves from Dean Henderson and the post denying Gundogan, they could have scored more themselves.
But it's possession issues that are holding City back at the moment. There is no easy solution, with big games coming up soon against Juventus and at home against Manchester United. Liverpool – with their game in hand – and Arsenal and Chelsea will be optimistic about extending their lead over the defending champions in the coming weeks.Peter Smith
Hughes shines as Crystal Palace take the match to City
Those who follow Crystal Palace have long known that Will Hughes, when he plays, is the beating heart of the midfield.
This was evident against Man City when, every time he was on the ball, there was a resounding 'Hughes' around Selhurst Park. It sounds like a boo, but it's the exact opposite. The same thing happens in most of the games he plays.
Hughes was a thorn in the side of Man City's midfield. Interrupting play, putting pressure on the opponent, regaining possession of the ball. He also got assists for both goals with pure quality passes, but also had the most shots and created the most chances among his teammates (both three).
While the weather outside was terrible, Hughes and Crystal Palace were delightful. Overall, it was perhaps their best performance at Selhurst Park this season.
Hughes' starts may have been limited by the introduction of Adam Wharton in January, who himself has been fantastic since joining the club. But in his absence, Hughes takes his chance. Charlotte Marsh
The strange, crazy case of Brentford
If Brentford were better at defending, or even better at playing away from home, who knows where they would be in the Premier League?
With forty goals in top matches at the Gtech Community Stadium, many call Thomas Frank's team the 'Entertainers' of the Premier League. That's fitting this week, as the same title was given to a famous Newcastle team three decades ago.
Perhaps 'The Crazy Gang' – a label given to another London club of the era – is more appropriate when it comes to Brentford. Although they may be so efficient at times, they are an odd group.
Either they fall behind and come back – as they did in the three home wins before – or they start very quickly, sometimes scoring in the first minute, and try to throw it away. On Saturday they took the lead again in the first half and threw away both leads within four minutes.
The players are also fascinating. Mark Fleken has made the most saves of any Premier League goalkeeper this season, but also has as many assists as Phil Foden. He is the ninth goalscorer to score more than one goal in the Premier League after just 18 months at the club.
Bryan Mbeumo and Yoane Wissa have the two best conversion rates in the Premier League this season, while Nathan Collins has more blocks than any other player but is now making goal contributions in consecutive home games.
Apart from goals you have no idea what's coming when you play against Brentford in the Gtech. That's why they're dangerous – and why they're now banging on the door to Europe. Sam Blitz
Howe must find answers for struggling Newcastle
“We have work to do.”
Newcastle boss Eddie Howe was under no illusions that his side needed to show improvement and quickly after a fourth straight league game without a win.
“There's a good team in there, but we haven't shown that. We haven't been good enough in the last four games,” Howe added.
Newcastle showed the quality they possess in the 3-3 draw against Liverpool in midweek. They went up against the league leaders in an exciting match, but they could not match that performance against Brentford.
Howe's side have now lost three of their last six away games in the Premier League, while they are winless in four games in all competitions, but suffered longer spells under Howe in January 2022 (6 games) and March 2023 (5 games). such series.
If returning to Europe is the ambition, Howe must find answers quickly or Newcastle, who are still in the bottom half of the table, will be left behind.Oliver Yew
Duran proves he's not just a super-sub
Aston Villa boss Unai Emery now has a headache with striker selection.
Jhon Duran got his first league start of the season against Southampton and took full advantage by scoring a clinical winner.
The 20-year-old was a handful for the Southampton defense. His goal showed his bullish power as he shrugged off Nathan Wood and then showed composure and finesse to convert into his one-on-one chance.
Duran was taken off the pitch in the 58th minute for Ollie Watkins, but there was no angry reaction from the Colombian this time after his sling in October when he was substituted in Villa's 2-0 Champions League win over Bologna.
Watkins was dangerous but wasteful when he came on against Southampton. He had four shots and eight touches in the opposition penalty area – the most of any Villa player – but failed to convert.
The England international is likely to be reinstated for Tuesday's Champions League match against RB Leipzig, but Duran is breathing down his neck as he tries to shake off his 'super-sub' label.
It now stands at nine goals for Duran in all competitions, with this latest goal his sixth winner this season.
Duran is making a difference and he hopes he can be rewarded with more starts. Declan Olley
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