Manchester City were left to rue their misses chances as Sergio Aguero came up short for the fifth week in succession at Selhurst Park. Meanwhile, Glenn Murray’s form under the stewardship of Eagles boss Alan Pardew is becoming ever-more difficult to pass up.
City’s title dream shattered by brilliant Palace
Manchester City’s hopes of securing back-to-back Premier League titles have all but disappeared following a 2-1 defeat to Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park. Despite enjoying the lion’s share of possession (74%) and dominating with regards to attempts on goal (22 to Palace’s five), the visitors’ erratic shooting means that Julian Speroni was only forced to attempt one more save (four) than Joe Hart (three).
Sergio Aguero, once again, was conspicuous in his impotency: the Argentine managed nine shots at West Bromwich Albion last Gameweek but could only fashion three attempts on goal against Alan Pardew’s outfit, with just one of these efforts testing Speroni. Coming off the back of blanks in each of the past five Gameweeks, Aguero’s tally of three goals in 11 outings since returning from injury makes a mockery of his 12.6 price tag and his lack of form is of real concern as the Sky Blues prepare to lock horns with a United defence that’s conceded a mere two goals in their previous five outings. Nonetheless, Aguero’s 25% ownership will be loath to cash in on the dormant big-hitter for fear of him delivering strong attacking returns in three favourable home ties (WHU, AVL, QPR) in the four matches following the Manchester derby.
Yaye Toure’s first goal in five starts proved insufficient to inspire a City comeback. The Ivory Coast international offered a far greater goal threat than in previous matches, though, attempting double the amount of shots (eight) than any other midfielder in the league during Gameweek 31. Moreover, Toure more than doubled his tally of shots from his previous four starts. Despite the above-mentioned run of agreeable home fixtures, potential investors will likely need to see more from the 10.7-priced midfielder with funds at a premium ahead of a tantalising double Gameweek 34 for Chelsea.
David Silva, meanwhile, failed to register a goal or an assist but proved as influential as ever in City’s build-up play. The Spanish created the third most chances (four) of any midfielder, with fellow wide man Jesus Navas ranked second with six.
Elsewhere in the City camp, manager Manuel Pellegrini enacted five changes from the XI that cruised past a ten-man Baggies side last time out, drafting in Edin Dzeko, Bacary Sagna, Martin Demichelis, Yaya Toure and Fernandinho for Pablo Zabaleta, Eliaquim Mangala, Frank Lampard, Fernando and Wilfried Bony.
Bony missed out against the Eagles by virtue of an ankle knock sustained in training, rendering him a doubt for the Red Devils clash this Sunday. In his absence, Edin Dzeko was unable to stake a serious claim for a run of starts alongside lead striker Aguero, failing to register a single attempt on goal and winning just two aerial duels throughout his 65-minute stint.
Nine points adrift of Chelsea at the summit following three losses in their last five matches, City’s title aspirations have been relegated to a pipe dream. That being said, their rivalry with United and the peripheral threat of slipping out of the Champions League berths should still motivate Pellegrini’s men in the concluding stages of this campaign, with those upcoming Etihad encounters boosting their chances of clinching second spot at least.
Murray takes flight as Eagles seal historic win
Glenn Murray bagged a goal and assist for the second week running as Palace ran out 2-1 victors over the champions. The ex-Brighton forward has been a revelation since being re-instated by Pardew, notching five goals and two assists in five appearances – including a 12-minute cameo against Arsenal in Gameweek 26. What’s more, netting against the Gunners and City has shown he’s no flat-track bully and is capable of causing problems against the league’s more robust rearguards.
Murray’s recent form is inevitably set to trigger a substantial increase on the 5.1-priced striker’s 0.1% ownership. Palace’s next trio of fixtures (sun, WBA, HUL) should afford the resurgent frontman with ample opportunity to further build upon his five-goal haul this term as the London club search for their fourth win on the trot. Subsequent match-ups against Chelsea, United and Liverpool betweeen Gameweek 35 and 37 present a sterner test of his credentials, however.
Jason Puncheon’s expertly placed free kick marked his first attacking returns since a hat-trick of assists against West Ham four matches ago. Having shed 52,000 owners in the intervening Gameweeks, Puncheon could well invite new investment in light of Palace’s enticing short-term schedule as Pardew’s side look to continue their momentum and clinch a place in the top half of the table.
