By Chris Sampson
- Last gasp Palace hold Red Devils
- City strike back to overcome Spurs
- City close gap on Arsenal to five points, United go third
UK -This week saw the two Manchester clubs catch up on matches postponed following the death of Queen Elizabeth II.
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Crystal Palace 1 Manchester United 1
Michael Olise’s amazing stoppage-time free-kick rescued a 1-1 draw for Crystal Palace against Manchester United. The Red Devils appeared to be heading for a sixth consecutive Premier League win thanks to Bruno Fernandes’ first half goal. However, in the 91st minute Olise salvaged a point in dramatic style, his curling effort crashing in off the underside of the bar.
David de Gea had kept Palace at bay before that, the United goalkeeper making outstanding saves from Odsonne Edouard and Marc Guehi, but he couldn’t do anything about Olise’s stunning effort as Erik ten Hag’s side spurned the opportunity to close the gap to Arsenal to six points.
United’s frustration was increased by a booking for Casemiro, his fifth of the season, which means he will be suspended for Sunday’s crucial showdown with Arsenal.
The draw lifts Ten Hag’s side into third above Newcastle United and maintains their unbeaten run. However, with Arsenal eight points ahead, it is a blow to their title ambitions.
The result will be a major boost to 12th-placed Palace. Patrick Vieira’s side had lost five of their previous six games in all competitions.
Manchester City 4 Tottenham Hotspur 2
Manchester City closed the gap on Premier League leaders Arsenal to five points as they overpowered Tottenham. However, City had to come from two goals down after Spurs scored twice in the closing stages of the first half.
Dejan Kulusevski gave Spurs the lead seconds before the break, after a poor clearance by Ederson led to Rodrigo Bentancur dispossessing Rodri. Then Emerson Royal headed a second after the City keeper pushed out Harry Kane’s shot.
It had been a frustrating night for Pep Guardiola’s side, however they started the second half at a ferocious pace. And, with Riyad Mahrez in outstanding form, they turned the game around with three goals in 12 minutes.
Julian Alvarez steered home from close range after Hugo Lloris failed to deal with Mahrez’s cross in the 51st minute. Mahrez then set up Erling Haaland who headed in from close range two minutes later to level the scores.
Antonio Conte’s team rallied and almost regained the lead when Ivan Perisic’s shot was deflected onto the woodwork by Rico Lewis before Mahrez completed City’s comeback, winning the ball before going on to beat Lloris at the near post.
Mahrez capped a great personal performance when he sped clear in added time to lift the ball over Lloris to seal the win.
City are five points off the top, while Spurs remain in fifth, two points ahead of Fulham, but five points adrift of Newcastle United in fourth.
The Premier League resumes at the weekend, with the next round of matches taking place between Saturday January 21 to Monday January 23.
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