Manchester City vs Crystal Palace: Roy Hodgson's side hand champions major title blow

Re-live the action from the Etihad Stadium

Manchester City: A look back at 2018

Champions Manchester City will trail Premier League leaders Liverpool by four points on Christmas Day after a shock 3-2 loss to Crystal Palace.

Andros Townsend scored one of the goals of the season as Roy Hodgson's inspired Palace came from behind to condemn City to their first league defeat at the Etihad Stadium since April.

Townsend struck with a 30-yard volley after Jeffrey Schlupp had cancelled out Ilkay Gundogan's opener on a rain-soaked afternoon.

A penalty from Luka Milivojevic sealed victory although Kevin De Bruyne's cross-cum-shot gave City, who also hit the post through Leroy Sane, late hope.

The defeat was City's second in three league games and handed the title initiative to Liverpool, whom they face on 3 January. Re-live the action in the blog below:

[22 December 2018 11:28 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

Good afternoon everyone.

A day jammed full of festive football lays ahead. Eight games to fill you up on the final Saturday before Christmas, including Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's first game as interim manager of Manchester United.

But we start at the Emirates Stadium, for a lunchtime clash between Arsenal and Burnley - a game which has become rather important for the hosts...

[22 December 2018 11:31 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

Indeed, Unai Emery's men have been brought back down to earth after their long unbeaten run came to an end last weekend. First, Southampton shocked them in the league and then Arsenal tumbled out of the Carabao Cup in tame fashion, a 2-0 defeat to their closest rivals here on Wednesday. 

So what team has Unai Emery picked as his side look to get back to winning ways?

[22 December 2018 11:33 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

TEAM NEWS

The big story from Emery's starting lineup is the return of Mesut Ozil, left out in midweek for "tactical reasons."

Arsenal remain without a slew of defensive options, but the return of Sead Kolasinac is a welcome one. Mohamed Elneny also earns a start in midfield.

[22 December 2018 11:39 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

TEAM NEWS

Sean Dacha's Burnley battled hard against Tottenham last week and looked to have earned at least a point. But Christian Erisksen's late winner meant Dyche's side left Wembley empty-handed, and Southampton's win against Arsenal leave Burnley in the bottom three.

Nevertheless, Dyche has kept faith in the three-at-the-back formation introduced last time out, making two changes: Aaron Lennon has had a knee operation this week after suffering injury against his former club, while Robbie Brady also misses out with a knock. Chris Wood and Jeff Hendrick come in.

[22 December 2018 11:43 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

So a return for Mesut Ozil, though doubts remain over his role in Unai Emery's Arsenal. His exclusion in the week was another signal that his future is not entirely secure at the club.

However, as Ed Malyon contemplates, there may not be a natural fit for Ozil elsewhere in Europe: 

[22 December 2018 11:49 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

Walk like an Egyptian...

Mohamed Elneny makes his first Premier League appearance of the season for Arsenal.

[22 December 2018 11:59 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

Ali glee...

A potential debutant on the Burnley bench today in young left-back Ali Koiki, who impressed as a trialist at Grimsby in the summer. He was spotted by Burnley playing in Croydon after a stint in Crystal Palace's academy. A debut at the Emirates today would be a rather nice Christmas present for the teenager.

[22 December 2018 12:01 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

[22 December 2018 12:11 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

A festive flair to some of the supporters' sartorial choices today. Still, it is Arsenal red and white...

[22 December 2018 12:22 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

​Ten minutes until kick off at the Emirates Stadium.

Will Arsenal rebound with a win, or can Burnley find a huge away victory?