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As it happenedended1545499459

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
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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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GOAL! Arsenal 1-0 Burnley (Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, 14 minutes)

A lovely goal!

Mesut Ozil combines with Ainsley Maitland-Niles and Alexandre Lacazette on the right, moving away from the edge of the area and cutting inside.

Ozil deliciously curls the most perfect of passes for the onrushing Sead Kolasinac, taking out the entire Burnley defence in the process.

Kolasinac pulls the ball back for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang who had found space on the penalty spot and the Gabonese striker cleverly found the bottom right-hand corner with an outside-of-the foot finish.

1-0 Arsenal.

Harry Latham-Coyle22 December 2018 12:44
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17 minutes

A Burnley foul on the left leaves Mesut Ozil standing over a free kick.

Ozil somewhat surprisingly tries to knock the ball down the line for Kolasinac, but the Bosnian's touch is too heavy and it is a goal kick.

A waste.

Harry Latham-Coyle22 December 2018 12:47
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20 minutes

Arsenal have settled into their rhythm since taking the lead.

Mesut Ozil is in a very free role behind Alexandre Lacazette and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and is starting to cause the Burnley defence real bother, dragging them out of position and finding clever passes.

Joe Hart is behind an Ainsley Maitland-Niles drive.

Harry Latham-Coyle22 December 2018 12:51
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1-0.

Harry Latham-Coyle22 December 2018 12:52
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24 minutes

Having seen Bernd Leno's problems in the air last week, it is unsurprising that Burnley are attempting as many crosses into the box as possible. 

So far they have lacked the desired quality, but you sense it could be a fruitful path for Sean Dyche's physical side to continue to explore as they look to get back on level terms. 

Harry Latham-Coyle22 December 2018 12:55
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27 minutes

A Burnley corner offers them opportunity to do just that, but Leno is decisive and firm in the punch to clear.

Harry Latham-Coyle22 December 2018 12:58
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29 minutes

Ainsley Maitland-Niles has considerable pace and ability with the ball at his feet and has already made several dangerous runs forward from right back.

On this occasion he beats Ben Mee all-too-simply but James Tarkowski is alert to step across and step in.

Harry Latham-Coyle22 December 2018 13:00
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30 minutes

Alexandre Lacazette opts for the rabona from a crossing position on the right, and is unable to find an Arsenal head.

Burnley have the chance to counter-attack but Jack Cork is simply too slow, Sead Kolasinac hunting him down and using the shoulder legally to win the ball and leave Cork sprawled several yards away.

Harry Latham-Coyle22 December 2018 13:02
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​Jack Cork has been surprisingly forward-minded for Burnley, though he has had little impact in more advanced areas so far.

Harry Latham-Coyle22 December 2018 13:03
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35 minutes

A little festive fracas is sparked as Ashley Barnes and Sokratis clash off the pitch, with the Austrian striker alleging that the Greek centre-half perhaps used his elbow. Barnes then puts Sokratis in a headlock (a rather tight one, too) and in charge the rest of the players.

A booking for Barnes.

Harry Latham-Coyle22 December 2018 13:06

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