Manchester City’s long winning run of 18 Premier League games finally came to an end on Sunday at Sellhurst Park but were lucky to avoid defeat in a goalless draw against Crystal Palace in a bad-tempered match that saw referee John Moss issuing nine yellow cards.
Luka Milivojevic missed a stoppage time penalty that could have inflicted on Pep Gaurdiola’s men their first league defeat of the season. Keeper Ederson helped preserve a Premier League unbeaten streak that stretches back to April.
In any case, with the draw, City have failed in their bid to match the record of 19 straight wins in Europe’s top five leagues set by Bayern Munich, then managed by Guardiola, in 2013/14.
But the draw was not valueless, it helped the citizens open a 14 points lead at top with 59 points from 21 games – ahead of second placed Chelsea with 45 points.
However, a source of concern for City and their fans was the sight of Kevin De Bruyne being stretchered off the field after Jason Puncheon’s hard tackle towards the end of a hard match. They lost Gabriel Jesus in the 23rd minute to injury.
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