Manchester City Fights for Survival, Needs Arsenal Slip-Up. Guardiola: It's Up to Them

The home side secured their triumph with two goals late in the first half. Antoine Semenyo opened the scoring in the 32nd minute after a Phil Foden backheel, and Omar Marmoush doubled the lead eight minutes later. In the 84th minute, Savinho added a third goal, assisted by Rayan Cherki. City dominated possession and shots, while Palace struggled to make an impact, losing the shot count 6-15.

Pep Guardiola's squad managed the match despite several changes to the lineup. Erling Haaland, Jeremy Doku, and Cherki, who now boasts twelve Premier League assists this season, all started on the bench. Joško Gvardiol returned to the starting eleven after a four-month absence due to a fractured shinbone.

The Croatian defender played 58 minutes and admitted after the match that his return to the lineup came as a surprise. “I found out two or three hours before kick-off. You have to be ready. I’m happy to be back and to get some minutes,” he told Sky Sports.

Foden was the central figure of the match, making his first league start since March 4th. His involvement in the opening goal marked his 100th direct goal contribution in the Premier League. He is only the sixth City player in history to achieve this feat, joining Sergio Agüero, Kevin De Bruyne, Erling Haaland, David Silva, and Raheem Sterling.

Furthermore, he also assisted the second goal, bringing his tally to 68 goals and 33 assists in 223 top-flight appearances. “It’s not a bad list, and I’m genuinely happy to be on it. Those players are City legends, and I think Erling already belongs among them,” he told the club's website.

Guardiola particularly praised Foden's creativity against a deep-lying opponent. “In these types of games, you need quality, a spark, talent, and something that isn’t on the tactical boards,” said the City manager. Sky Sports noted that City won their second consecutive league match 3-0, keeping their title defense hopes alive, although no team in the English top flight has ever overturned a five-point deficit at the top in May to win the title.

Crystal Palace remained in 15th place. Manager Oliver Glasner acknowledged the opponent's superiority: “We have to accept that City were much better. If you want to get a point or more at the Etihad, you have to deliver a top performance.”

Following the victory, City still relies on Arsenal dropping points. The Gunners face Burnley and then Crystal Palace, while Guardiola's men will play Bournemouth and Aston Villa. However, before that, they have the FA Cup final against Chelsea on Saturday.

The City coach once again emphasized that the title race is in Arsenal's hands. If the Gunners defeat relegated Burnley on Monday, City must beat Bournemouth the following day. “It depends on Arsenal; we try to stay in the race every game, we try to survive,” Guardiola told the BBC. “If they win two games, there will be nothing to talk about, it will be clear. All we can do is get points in case something else happens. The last two games will be tough.”