Crystal Palace 0-2 Manchester City - 5 Talking Points as Manchester City return to winning ways | Premier League 2019/20

Crystal Palace v Manchester City - Premier League
Crystal Palace v Manchester City - Premier League

#2 Manchester City's unfamiliar centre-half pairing get the job done

Crystal Palace v Manchester City - Premier League
Crystal Palace v Manchester City - Premier League

With Nicolas Otamendi unavailable and John Stones only fit enough for the bench, Guardiola had no choice but to deploy Fernandinho and Rodri in the heart of the defence.

Despite their unfamiliarity with the position, the pair of defensive midfielders overcame their initial struggles and got the job done for their team.

Fernandinho was guilty of being sloppy at times in the first-half but the veteran Brazilian grew in stature as the game progressed. Meanwhile, Rodri was composed throughout the game and slotted in seamlessly in place of Otamendi, before being moved to his preferred defensive midfield position late in the second half.

Aymeric Laporte has been ruled out for the foreseeable future with an Achilles injury and with Otamendi and Stones struggling with injuries and poor form, it wouldn't be surprising if Guardiola resorts to a similar set up at some point this season.

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