Crystal Palace 0-2 Manchester City: 5 talking points as Sergio Aguero puts Sky Blues on the brink of title | Premier League 2020-21

Manchester City could be champions tomorrow if Liverpool beat Manchester United!
Manchester City could be champions tomorrow if Liverpool beat Manchester United!

Manchester City have one hand on the Premier League trophy after seeing off Crystal Palace in a routine victory on Saturday.

Quickfire goals from Sergio Aguero and Ferran Torres in the second-half broke the home side's resolve and the Sky Blues could be champions as early as tomorrow should Liverpool beat Manchester United.

A cagey opening half saw a much-weakened Manchester City struggle to break down the Eagles, whose backline were well organised, with the team also posing a threat on the break.

However, the visitors came back strong from the interval, with Aguero and Torres scoring within two minutes of each other before the hour mark to essentially kill the contest.

Pep Guardiola and co. will be intently watching tomorrow's Northwest derby at Old Trafford, but will have the decisive Champions League clash with Paris Saint-Germain at the back of their minds as well.

Here are the major talking points:


#1 Sergio Aguero ending on a high?

Aguero scored at Selhurst Park for the very first time - and it could be a title-clincher!
Aguero scored at Selhurst Park for the very first time - and it could be a title-clincher!

Not to jump the guns here, but that goal was prime Sergio Aguero, and if that's a sign of things to come from him in this home stretch, then he's certainly bowing out on a high.

The 32-year-old tore the net with an exquisite half-volley from a tight angle inside the area that left Vicente Guaita with no chance.

Despite playing only 10 games this season, his audacity to make an effort like that and the unerring accuracy with which he succeeded were both vintage Sergio Aguero.

It was only his second goal of the season but one that has potentially helped secure Manchester City the league.


#2 Palace frustrate City in first-half with low block

Manchester City striker Gabriel Jesus failed to get a single shot on target
Manchester City striker Gabriel Jesus failed to get a single shot on target

Crystal Palace have ruffled Manchester City's feathers in the past and were on course to repeat the feat again tonight when they kept the champions in-waiting at bay during a resolute opening half.

Content to sit back and hit them on the break, the Eagles defended in two blocks of four, sometimes with even five at the back, cutting off the supply lines to Aguero and Jesus, who were left to feed off the scraps.

When the latter even had the ball in the net, he was flagged offside, leaving the Sky Blues without a shot on target in a toothless first period.

#3 City's fast restart catches Palace offguard

Ferran Torres scored just 80 seconds after Aguero fired Manchester City in front
Ferran Torres scored just 80 seconds after Aguero fired Manchester City in front

Pep Guardiola certainly wasn't happy with what he saw in the first-half and must've instructed his side to come out all guns blazing after the break. So that's exactly what Manchester City did and caught Palace offguard.

The visitors moved the ball around more quickly than before and one such move saw Benjamin Mendy release Aguero from the left and the departing Argentine smashed home a sublime half-volley.

Palace were all over the place, and before they could even get their act together, Manchester City hit them again as the hosts failed to clear their lines and Ferran Torres latched onto a loose ball to effectively end the tie as a contest.


#4 Palace's erratic performance sums up their season

Roy Hogdson's side have failed to deliver on the promise they've shown in some big games
Roy Hogdson's side have failed to deliver on the promise they've shown in some big games

Crystal Palace put up a promising display in the first-half but lost steam after the break, falling to Manchester City's fast pace and were never able to recover. It perfectly summed up their erratic campaign, which could've been so much more, but alas.

Encouraging results against Manchester United (3-1), Leeds United (4-1), West Brom (5-1) were followed by disappointing performances immediately keeping them from being further up the charts than the 14th position they currently occupy.

It's true that the London outfit haven't even accomplished a mid-table finish since the 2014/15 season, let alone broken into the top10. But given the decent amount of talent in the squad, which is also led by an experienced coach, they could have done better this time.


#5 Could the tables be turned tomorrow?

Manchester City will be unassailable if Manchester United lose tomorrow
Manchester City will be unassailable if Manchester United lose tomorrow

In June last year, Liverpool became Premier League champions after Manchester City lost to Chelsea. Tomorrow could be the reverse - should the Reds defeat Manchester United, then City will be confirmed league winners.

However, everyone knows about their struggles at Old Trafford, with them having not won there since March 2014 when Luis Suarez and Steven Gerrard combined to secure a 3-0 victory.

Another disappointing result for the Reds tomorrow wouldn't be detrimental to City's hopes as they still have a very healthy lead at the top and mathematically need just three more points to become champions, but Liverpool's win would ensure a perfect anti-climax.

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Edited by S Chowdhury