CRYSTAL Palace were desperately unlucky not take away a point from the Etihad Stadium this afternoon after falling to a narrow 1-0 defeat to Manchester City.
The Eagles were extremely impressive against the Premier League big-spenders, defending superbly throughout.
But they were undone against the run of play in the second half thanks to Edin Dzeko, who found the back of the net following good play from Jesus Navas.
The Palace fans – what more can you say about them? Once again, they were terrific in the away end and sung for the whole of 90 minutes – and they deserved to see their side score.
But there are lots of positives for boss Tony Pulis ahead of the New Year's Day game at home to Norwich City.
Edin Dzeko nearly gave the hosts the lead with two chances in the opening five minutes; first failing to get on the end of cross before firing a low shot from inside the box just wide.
It was all City in the opening stages and they went close again when David Silva fired a low shot just wide with Julian Speroni scrambling across.
However, Palace responded when Yannick Bolasie darted down the left before cutting inside and drilling a low shot just past Joe Hart's right post.
City continued to dominate and pin Palace back, and James Milner was next to have a pop at goal with a first time effort which went narrowly over.
They continued to up the pressure when skipper Vincent Kompany struck from outside the box, before Milner saw his goal-bound shot deflected just past the post for a corner.
Bolasie then found space on the left again before firing in a dangerous ball for Jerome, but the striker couldn't quite reach it.
Jonathan Parr also sent in a low ball from the left for the striker a minute later, but Hart got down bravely to gather.
However, that was the end of Jerome's afternoon after what appeared to be an ankle injury following his collision with the England goalkeeper, and Marouane Chamakh came on to replace.
City continued to apply pressure but Palace were holding out well and defending superbly.
Silva fired a shot from a tight angle way wide after good work on the byline, while Adrian Mariappa took a high boot to the face from Deryck Boyata after defending a high ball in the box.
Fernandinho was next to have a go at goal, chesting the ball up on the edge of the box before volleying narrowly over, while Palace won their first corner after 45 minutes which Mariappa was close to connecting with at the far post.
Julian Speroni, commanding for the Eagles, then pulled off a world class save to deny Fernandinho, pulling off a stunning save over the bar from Fernandinho.
Palace were defending brilliantly and deserved to go into the break goalless despite City's dominance in possession.
Jason Puncheon nearly shocked the natives early in the second period when he cut in from the right after beating a couple of players and drilled a shot towards goal, only for Hart to palm away.
And from the resulting corner, Chamakh headed narrowly over at the near post.
But then the hosts threw on Samir Nasri and Alvaro Negredo in a bid to draw first blood – but still Palace defended for their lives.
Then all of sudden, Palace were the ones in control. Puncheon cut in from the left and curled a shot inches past the post with Hart beaten.
Barry Bannan was then unlucky not to pick up a pass following a one-two as the Eagles won a couple of corners in quick succession.
But against the run of play, City opened the scoring thanks to Dzeko. A ball was played over to Navas on the right and the Spaniard cut the ball back to the striker to fire home.
It was very, very unlucky for Pulis' men after an impressive defensive display.
Jonny Williams and Boxing Day hero Dwight Gayle came on in a bid to get something from the match, but City kept hold of the ball well.
Puncheon had a shot which hit Gayle on the back of the leg as the Eagles looked for an equaliser, but that proved to be the last chance as the Eagles were unlucky not to take away a point.
There are a number of positives to take away, indeed. Furthermore, Joe Hart was named the official man of the match.
It kind of tells a story, don't you think?
Palace: Speroni, Mariappa, Gabbidon, Delaney, Parr, Bolasie (Williams 76), Puncheon, Ward, Jedinak, Jerome (Chamakh 35), Bannan (Gayle 81).
Subs Not Used: Price, Moxey, Campana, Phillips.
Attendance: 47,107
By Croydon Advertiser Sports Reporter Mark Ritson
