Man City ‘have to survive’, says Guardiola… as boss predicts results will be ‘difficult all season’

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola said he was happy with a point and claimed no Premier League side is currently weaker at set-pieces than his team after the visitors twice equalised in a 2-2 draw at fifth-bottom Crystal Palace.

Erling Haaland headed City level during the first period after Daniel Munoz’s opener, and Rico Lewis – who was dismissed four minutes from time – spared the reigning champions a seventh defeat in nine games by replying to Maxence Lacroix’s second-half goal.

“Really good, I’m so proud, and I like everything from my team”

Pep Guardiola reflects on Manchester City’s 2-2 draw at Crystal Palace 🤝 pic.twitter.com/yC8VeDarve

— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) December 7, 2024

“The season that starts difficult will be difficult all season,” said Guardiola, whose side have one win in nine games and are eight points behind Liverpool after playing a match more than the leaders.

“We have to survive; it’s a season to survive, to try to take points, to win games. What [the players] have done in these circumstances is really, really good.

“We had seven potential starters injured, a lot of players with minutes and the physicality is there from Crystal Palace. But we were there and did everything to try to win. I’m really proud and pleased for the players.”

“It’s not good enough” 😤

Bernardo Silva acknowledges Manchester City’s injury issues but insists the team can’t feel sorry for themselves and must keep fighting after their 2-2 draw at Crystal Palace 💪 pic.twitter.com/bjGdSTagyV

— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) December 7, 2024

Palace vs Man City

England defender Kyle Walker appeared to bear culpability for both Palace goals, playing Munoz onside to slot in the first and allowing Lacroix to head in Will Hughes’ corner.

City playmaker Kevin De Bruyne started a second consecutive game after more than a season of fitness struggles, while Gundogan praised Haaland, Lewis, Bernardo Silva and Ilkay Gundogan, as well as Palace manager Oliver Glasner.

“Football is a game of mistakes and good things,” said Guardiola. “We made two fantastic goals and every single team is stronger than us right now at set-pieces.

“I’m really pleased with many things I saw. I’m so pleased for [Palace]; Glasner is doing an incredible job. He’s a top professional and a lovely person.”

“I’m a bit disappointed, I feel it could have been more” 😒

Oliver Glasner believes his Crystal Palace side could have secured all three points against Manchester City 🦅 pic.twitter.com/S5yTupqQDO

— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) December 7, 2024

Haaland ‘always a threat’

Guardiola said City are “so lucky” to have Haaland, who joined Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah as the joint-Premier League top scorer this season with his 13th top-flight goal of the campaign and first in three league games.

“We are lucky that we have Rico, Bernardo, Gundo,” Guardiola added. “All of these players have been playing all this season without resting. [Haaland’s] sense of goal threat is always there.

“The connection, the talent in the final third [from] Kevin is so special. We missed him a lot last season and this season.”

After scoring Man City’s equaliser, Rico Lewis has now been sent off for a second yellow card following a challenge on Trevoh Chalobah!#CRYMCI pic.twitter.com/Xx5NROFnht

— Premier League (@premierleague) December 7, 2024

Man City injuries, suspensions

City were without defenders Manuel Akanji, John Stones and Nathan Ake and midfielders Phil Foden, Oscar Bobb and Mateo Kovacic through injuries.

Ballon d’Or winner Rodri is out for the season with a knee injury and Lewis will now serve a one-game suspension, having seen red for two yellow cards.

Ederson is Guardiola’s regular first-choice goalkeeper but the out-of-form Brazil international started a third consecutive game on the bench, with Stefan Ortega again preferred as City extended their wait for a clean sheet to nine matches.