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As it happenedended1545504018

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

Re-live the action from the Etihad Stadium

Harry Latham-Coyle
Saturday 22 December 2018 17:15 GMT
Comments
Manchester City: A look back at 2018

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Head shot of Eric Garcia

Eric Garcia

Washington Bureau Chief

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:

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44 minutes

That isn't great from Paul Pogba - he rushes a half-volley on the edge of the Cardiff area and slices towards the corner flag.

Harry Latham-Coyle22 December 2018 18:15
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45 minutes

Three added minutes at the end of the first half.

Harry Latham-Coyle22 December 2018 18:17
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45 + 2 minutes

Manchester United's close passing has been impressive so far, and they again work the tight spaces nicely though Jesse Lingard misplaces his square pass with two players waiting on the right.

Harry Latham-Coyle22 December 2018 18:18
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​Three goals for Manchester United and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will be very pleased with what he has seen so far.

Harry Latham-Coyle22 December 2018 18:19
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A promising start for the new-look Manchester United coaching staff. 

Harry Latham-Coyle22 December 2018 18:22
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Sliding their way to victory - Manchester United's players have performed with greater freedom in the first half.

Harry Latham-Coyle22 December 2018 18:25
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Resumption at the Cardiff City Stadium.

Harry Latham-Coyle22 December 2018 18:34
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46 minutes

No half-time changes from either team.

Harry Latham-Coyle22 December 2018 18:35
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48 minutes

Cardiff are pressing well to open the second half, but a perfect bisecting pass through to the midfield from David De Gea allows Manchester United to break the shackles.

The crowd's spirits have been dampened and the noise is coming from the away end in these early second half stages.

Harry Latham-Coyle22 December 2018 18:38
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50 minutes

Superb defending from Sol Bamba, matching Marcus Rashford stride-for-stride, winning the ball and beating Anthony Martial to the follow-up, too.

Cardiff give the ball away again, however, and Rashford's low cross is deflected behind.

Harry Latham-Coyle22 December 2018 18:40

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