Crystal Palace vs Man City: Latest Score, Lineups & Match Updates

Crystal Palace 0-3 Man City (Full Time)

Manchester City hold a slender 1-0 lead early in the second half of today’s high-stakes Premier League encounter at Selhurst Park. In a match critical for the title race, Pep Guardiola’s side has broken the deadlock through a trademark Erling Haaland header, dampening the spirits of a Crystal Palace side that has been flying high in 5th place this season. With Arsenal sitting five points clear at the summit before kick-off, the pressure in this Crystal Palace vs Man City fixture is palpable, as the champions look to close the gap to just two points with a game in hand.

Palace, managed by Oliver Glasner, entered the game confident after their historic FA Cup triumph earlier in 2025, but they currently struggle to break down a City defence marshaled by Ruben Dias and Josko Gvardiol.

Live Updates: Haaland Breaks the Deadlock

The breakthrough came just before the interval, silencing the raucous home crowd.

GOAL! Crystal Palace 0-1 Man City: Erling Haaland rises highest to power home a header, capitalising on a precise cross from Phil Foden. It was a moment of supreme quality in a tight first half.
55th Minute: The atmosphere is tense. Whistles and jeers ring out from the Holmesdale End as City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma takes his time over a goal kick, slowing the tempo.
Tactical Battle: Palace are pushing for an equalizer, with Daichi Kamada and Adam Wharton trying to seize control of the midfield, but City’s new-look engine room featuring Nico González and Nico O’Reilly is holding firm.

This Crystal Palace vs Man City clash has lived up to its billing as a tactical chess match, with Glasner matching Guardiola’s intensity stride for stride.

Crystal Palace vs Man City Lineups & Tactical Analysis

Both managers have deployed strong XIs, though injuries have forced significant reshuffles, particularly for the visitors.

Manchester City Confirmed XI (4-1-4-1)

GK: Gianluigi Donnarumma
DEF: Matheus Nunes, Ruben Dias, Josko Gvardiol, Nico O’Reilly
MID: Nico González, Bernardo Silva (C), Tijjani Reijnders, Phil Foden, Rayan Cherki
FWD: Erling Haaland
Substitutes: Trafford, Ake, Marmoush, Ait-Nouri, Savinho, Khusanov, Bobb, Mukasa, Lewis.

Crystal Palace Confirmed XI (3-4-2-1)

GK: Dean Henderson
DEF: Chris Richards, Maxence Lacroix, Marc Guehi
MID: Nathaniel Clyne, Adam Wharton, Daichi Kamada, Tyrick Mitchell
FWD: Ismaila Sarr, Yéremi Pino, Jean-Philippe Mateta
Substitutes: Turner, Chalobah, Doucoure, Hughes, Lerma, Franca, Eze, Nketiah.

Guardiola’s decision to start Nico O’Reilly in a defensive role has raised eyebrows, but the youngster has looked assured. Meanwhile, Palace’s attack features the pace of Yéremi Pino and Ismaila Sarr, a duo capable of hurting City on the counter-attack in this Crystal Palace vs Man City showdown.

Team News & Injury Updates

Injuries have played a major role in shaping today’s Crystal Palace vs Man City team sheets.

Manchester City: The champions are without their midfield anchor Rodri, who remains sidelined with no set return date. Mateo Kovacic is also out until next year following heel surgery, and John Stones misses out with a thigh injury. Jeremy Doku did not travel with the squad, handing a start to Rayan Cherki.
Crystal Palace: Striker Jean-Philippe Mateta and winger Ismaila Sarr were major doubts heading into the weekend but passed late fitness tests to start. Their availability is a massive boost for Glasner, who needs his best attackers to disrupt City’s rhythm.

Historical Context: The Shadow of the 2025 FA Cup

This fixture carries extra weight due to recent history. Crystal Palace stunned the football world by defeating Manchester City in the 2025 FA Cup Final, a result that denied Guardiola another domestic double. That victory has instilled a new belief in the Eagles, who no longer fear the champions.

Palace’s Form: Sitting 5th with 26 points, Palace are chasing Champions League football.
City’s Chasing Pack: City (2nd, 31 points) cannot afford to drop points if they want to catch Arsenal (1st, 36 points).

Expert analysis suggests that while City dominate possession, Palace’s ability to absorb pressure and strike via set-pieces—a tactic that served them well at Wembley—remains their best route to a result in today’s Crystal Palace vs Man City game.