Paul Merson believes Man City are out of Premier League title race after draw at Crystal Palace

Manchester City’s Draw with Crystal Palace Raises More Questions than Answers

Manchester City’s 2-2 draw with Crystal Palace at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday afternoon was a concerning display from the defending Premier League champions. Despite coming back from 1-0 down twice, Pep Guardiola’s side showcased familiar flaws that have plagued them throughout the season.

The game got off to a shocking start, with Manchester City conceding a goal after just four minutes, only for Rico Lewis to equalize with a low shot that evaded the Palace goalkeeper. However, Lewis’s second half goal was followed by a red card for his second bookable offense, leaving City down to 10 men.

While the performance on the pitch was underwhelming, the real concern lies in the team’s overall form and quality. The draw leaves Manchester City eighth in the Premier League table, a distant 13 points adrift of leaders Arsenal, with just 12 games left to play.

A False Dawn?

The win against Nottingham Forest last weekend had sparked hopes of a turnaround, but this draw suggests that it was just a brief respite. Manchester City’s inability to create chances, even with Kevin De Bruyne and Ilkay Gundogan on the pitch, was a perfect example of their current struggles.

As commentator Merc noted, "I don’t see them [Manchester City] going on a 12-game run. They haven’t got the players here to do it." The lack of cohesion and discipline in the team was evident, with Walker’s poor performance and Silva’s struggles in a City shirt particularly disappointing.

The Numbers Don’t Lie

Manchester City’s 21 goals conceded is the most in the Premier League this season, a statistic that highlights their defensive frailties. Their inconsistency has been a hallmark of this campaign, and it’s difficult to see them mounting a serious title challenge.

This draw has likely extinguished any hopes of a title push, and instead, Manchester City will focus on securing a top-four finish and attempting to overcome their Champions League failings. As commentator Merc concluded, "They haven’t got the players here to go on that run, and they haven’t got the right mentality to do it either."

The performance against Crystal Palace was a concerning display that raises more questions than answers about Manchester City’s ability to perform at the highest level. The numbers do not lie, and it’s clear that this team is a far cry from the dominant force it once was.

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