City breeze past Palace to keep hot on Arsenal's heels

0:06This is the Sky Sports Premier League podcast. Thanks for joining us. A big game in the Premier League title race took centre stage on Wednesday evening as Manchester City faced Crystal Palace. Here's how the game finished.

0:29Another reminder for Arsenal, Manchester City are still very much in this title race and intent on pushing them all away. There will be no home presentation of the trophy for Arsenal on Monday. If they are to win it and finish the job, they will be crowned at the Palace, whom Manchester City have beaten tonight with a goal from Antoine Semenyo against a club that rejected him as a teenager, a second from Omar Mahmouche and a finish as well from Savinho in the second half that put City two points behind Arsenal and now ahead of them on the vital goal difference, if that turns out to be a factor.

1:15Phil Foden has done himself a power of good as well. Two key assists for the breakthrough goals in that first half. And now perhaps one or two of these Manchester City players, Mark Gahey in particular, you would think would be phoning old friends and hoping that Palace can perhaps do them a favor on the final day because it's finished here Manchester City 3 Crystal Palace 0. Micah, Arsenal are two points clear of Manchester City there are two games left to go Arsenal face Burnley on Monday Manchester City are at Bournemouth on Tuesday and then it's down to the final day of the season. It's exciting, eh?

2:03It's very exciting. Look, if you talk about stats, if you talk about the odds and all that, all in Arsenal's favour here. But it's not over yet. I told you, twists and turns. There was a good professional performance from Man City today. They did what they needed to do. Obviously, Bournemouth probably got a bit more tricky. They're fighting for Champions League. But they did the job today and that was the most important. The first 30 minutes weren't great, looked a bit sloppy, looked a bit slow. When I got the goal, I was in total control and did the job on the day. Jamie, it could be one potentially at Bournemouth if Manchester City drop any points if Arsenal have beaten Burnley on the Monday night.

2:43It could be one at Crystal Palace when Arsenal have to go there on the last day of the season. It could be one at the Etihad if Manchester City can stage another incredible late season turnaround. Anything can still happen, but I think that was a big result for City. They had to keep Arsenal honest. They just had to make sure they did their jobs. Michael's absolutely right. First half an hour was a little bit tricky. And then once Phil Foden started to grow into the game, two fantastic, well, certainly one fantastic assist. And a big result for Pep. He'll be delighted. They've got the cup final of the weekend.

3:12They can enjoy the build-up to that, get themselves ready, try and win another trophy. Then they've got a really tough fixture. So, yeah, Donny Ola's last game as Bournemouth manager on Tuesday. Tuesday. So, yeah, games are coming thick and fast, but that's what you have to have when you're an elite side, elite club. That's what you're trying to achieve. So, yeah, lots of great games for them to look forward to. And lots of great games for you to look forward to as well because you'll be able to see it live on Sky Sports. Monday night football, Arsenal at home to Burnley. 6.30 for all the build-up.

3:46The game itself will kick off at 8 o 'clock and you can watch it on Sky Sports Premier League. If Arsenal win that one, City have to win at Bournemouth on Tuesday night. 7 o 'clock for the build-up, 8 o 'clock kick-off there. That's going to be on Sky Sports' main event. That could be the game if City drop points in which Arsenal seal their first Premier League title in 22 years. Or Manchester City could build on the win they've had today against Crystal Palace and take it right down to the final day. Again, you will be able to see all the action live on Sky Sports.

4:48and to hear from some of the world's star players. Can Scotty complete the career Grand Slam on what will be his 30th birthday? Can a freed up Rory surpass Sir Nick Fowdo and become officially the most successful European golfer of all time? And what about Tommy Fleetwood perhaps lifting the claret jug just a stone's throw from where he grew up at Royal Birkdale? And can Charlie Hull inspire Europe to claim back the Solheim Cup in the Netherlands? that's the Sky Sports Golf Podcast listen and give us a follow wherever you get your podcasts find us through your Sky TV or watch us on YouTube

5:30Welcome back to the Sky Sports Premier League Podcast let's get back to the studio for more reaction to today's game

5:40A 3-0 victory for Manchester City that keeps the pressure on Arsenal at the top of the league and cuts the gap to two points. Semenyu, Marmouche and Savinho with his first Premier League goal since December 2024 in 35 Premier League games. He finally scores a goal for Manchester City and it could potentially prove an important one. For Crystal Palace, already safe. The eight points clear of the relegation places and they have a Europa Conference League final to come three days after the end of the season. But at the top is where it is still all to be decided. and it is still all on the line. Manchester City are two points behind Arsenal and look at that 3-0 win puts them one goal ahead in terms of goal difference and that is how tight it is at the top of the table, how tight it could be come the final day of the season.

6:33This is what we've got to look forward to. Remember Manchester City have got an FA Cup final in the middle of all of this. Then Arsenal will play Burnley on the Monday night. They're at home for that game. You can watch that on Monday Night Football. Then we're at Bournemouth for Bournemouth against Manchester City. If Arsenal beat Burnley, City cannot drop points or Arsenal will be crowned champions in City's game at Bournemouth. If City do win that one, then it goes to the final day of the season. Crystal Palace away for Arsenal, Aston Villa at home for Manchester City. And regardless of what happens in this Premier League title race, Arsenal know they will have a Champions League final waiting for them on the 30th of May against Paris Saint-Germain.

7:19But, Micah, they can't think about that just yet. All eyes on the title race. Does today's result change anything, do you think? Not particularly, no. I think if he asked us before, which he did, Man City, I think it was going to be a comfortable result. You know, when you look at the fixtures there, it was always the... Everton one was always going to be tough because of David Moyes and how he sets up his teams. It's a very good team. But Bournemouth and what they're fighting for this season, potentially Champions League, and the way they play. When they go on the counter-attack, they really go with pace and power.

7:51So I'm looking at that game thinking they could cause Man City problems. On the flip side of that, because they do play on the stretch, Man City could actually counter them as well. So that'd be an interesting game. For Arsenal, they've just got to do what they've been doing all season. We mentioned moments in the game. Some would say they got the rub of the green against West Ham. But I think the thing is with Arsenal, we're constantly saying, have they got the leaders to take them over the line? And I think they've shown up until this point, they have because they've stayed in. Maybe some of the results they've not played as well as they like to play.

8:27But in terms of staying in the game and being in a position where they're favourites now, no one can say they're bottling it anymore. I said a couple of weeks, Arsenal are not bottling it. It's just the fact that they wasn't playing well. They got a good game against Fulham. It sort of turned their fortunes and then against West Ham. They played well here as well, didn't they? They were unlucky. They were unlucky here, yeah. I think they were taking a lot from that performance because since then they've done everything. No, but I think with that performance, yes, there was bits that you can take from it, but ultimately they lost the game.

8:56And you know what it's like as a footballer. Confidence is so key. And maybe the Arsenal of last season, maybe the confidence would have drained from them a little bit, but it doesn't think it has this season. Because they did ride out that difficult period. You said going out of the domestic competitions, losing against Manchester City here as well. Regardless of how they played, they still had to overcome that hurdle and they still had to come through what looked like it was going to be a decisive moment in their season, but actually has proved to be something that spurred them on. Yeah, absolutely.

9:27If you look at the Carabao Cup game as well, I think that was one where they got a little bit of a lesson, didn't they, from City. but the next time they played and they definitely took something from it and you could see even afterwards there was murmurings out at the dressing room they took it as a positive of how well they played here and since then they've had obviously the weekend whatever way you look at it I think it's a foul and they've got the right result could have gone the other way but it hasn't and now I just feel the opportunity they've got Burnley at home on a Monday night football the atmosphere is going to be red hot I think they've got the players the capability of playing it's a side that's already been relegated then you're playing Crystal Palace that have a cup final, a big European cup final, a few days after that last day of the season.

10:06So things have not fallen in their favour. They deserve this. They deserve to get that to this point. And they've had to work so hard. And you can only imagine the emotion every time he's probably watching the game tonight, Mikel Arteta, seeing how they're playing, looking at the team beforehand, thinking, OK, we might have a chance here. But they are a relentless city. They keep making you, keeping you honest, if you like. And they have done that so well. But I just feel right now, after Saturday, after Sunday, being in that game, I just think this is awesome this season. Pep Guardiola did everything he could to keep his squad fresh.

10:36He made big changes for this game, six of them in the starting 11, including the inclusion of Phil Foden and the return from injury of Josko Guardiola. Both of them with Patrick Davison. Guys, well played. Phil, not for the first time. The heartbeat of a City win. What did it mean to help the team like that? After a spell where you've had to be a bit patient. Yeah, massively important at this stage of of season you know summer fresh lads coming in obviously Josco as well first game back in a long time so yeah we was all excited to play and ready and yeah like I said it's a massive game and it was a must win game so I'm really happy.

11:14Josco great to see you back I have to say it was a bit of a surprise to see your name in the starting line up just because someone coming back from an injury like that they normally get eased in a bit more surprised yourself or was this always the game you were targeting? Yeah I know what I mean to be fair I was surprised as well. I didn't expect my name in the starting 11. When did you find out? Like two hours, three hours before the kick-off. At the end of the day, you need to be ready. I'm happy to be back, happy to be in the starting 11. We all know that we only got three games left until the end of the season.

11:52Happy to be back and to get some minutes. Mentally, what was that like? Finding out you were going to play not too long until kick-off. How do you get yourself, I guess a couple of months ago, that would be par for the course, you're used to it, you're doing it every week, but after a little bit of time out, there must have been some butterflies and some nerves. I would say it's normal, but I'm getting older and I'm more experienced than a couple of years ago, so I took it as a man and all you try to do is just to play as simple as you can and that's all, more or less. OK Phil talk us through assist number one because we know scanning is a massive part of one of your best qualities how many times are you having to check your shoulder to build a picture so you can do that with obviously not being able to see where the player is Yeah I checked a few times before receiving the ball and I've seen Ant make a good movement and it's one of them sometimes it doesn't come off but sometimes the risk is worth trying and yeah very delighted that it came off and we're scored from it Sometimes it doesn't come off, but it must have felt great that it did.

12:56Yeah, obviously buzzing to contribute to a goal and help the lads get three points, which is the most important. Josko, it's a magic moment. Did you feel at that time like the team and the stadium needed it? I don't know if that kind of West Ham Arsenal game on Sunday kind of knocked the stuffing out of everyone, but just for half an hour till Phil's moment, it kind of felt like it just needed something. And obviously this guy delivered it. Yeah, of course, we know his quality. we know how good he is in small spaces and for me nice to hear isn't it yeah I know it's difficult to talk about yourself but you know he's really good and I enjoy to play with him so to be fair I didn't expect but we know that he's capable of doing these things and as you said that's exactly something we needed great assist well done brother great pass for the second goal as well so yeah the second goal assist two did you mean it it's one of them I thought the defender was coming a lot closer so I've tried to just help it on to Omer so yes I did yeah but obviously it was a bit scruffy and do you believe in your scope I do I don't believe I thought obviously the centre back was coming across I didn't realise I had a little bit more time obviously his great pass as well yeah made the goal I would say yeah and you need I mean this is a bit of a hazy memory for me, but you nearly created one for Josco as well, there was a header right?

14:23Yeah, a cross and close weren't it Josco? My header? Yeah it was close but it would be too unreal to score a goal in my first game since my injury so yeah maybe in the next one. Question kind of for both of you for different reasons, how tough has it been? What in general? Yeah just I mean I guess the perception is that it's been maybe a challenging season at times for you you had a massive purple patch around the end of 2025 but how have you found it yeah i would say i had a good half a season first half of the season and then dropped off a bit and then i struggled to find my way in the team and you know it happens with great players around your quality players you know um when they're more right than you they're gonna play so yeah i've had to wait and be patient um trying to train hard as I can and when you get your moment today you just have to make the most of it.

15:17It's a team game at the end of the day. If you want to win titles and trophies, it's all about a full squad and everyone has to play their part. Josko, for you, working your way back to fitness? Yeah, it hasn't been easy but after I got injured I just told myself I'm going to accept as a new challenge. So I'm glad to be back. Feeling good, actually. I wouldn't say that I'm at my 100%. I have my best, but it's normal. I need games, I need minutes together. Last question to you then, Phil, because you're a veteran of winning Premier League titles. How do you see this race now? And how are you looking at it?

15:57Is it just the case of keeping them honest, taking them to the final day where anything can happen? Yeah, that's it. I'm just keep pushing and keeping them on the toes. and yeah, we've seen a lot of things going to happen on the final day. I've experienced it many times when the game doesn't go your way. So yeah, we just have to keep pushing and doing our part. Superb today. Josko, do you mind handing this over? Yes. Thank you, my mate. Thank you. Well played. Very relaxed Manchester City players, Josko Guardiola and Phil Foden there, as they would be after a 3-0 victory, but only a couple of games to go in this title race.

16:34Phil Foden mentioned the 2012 season. It feels like we're talking about this a lot more as the season goes on. I think probably because they have that late game against Arsenal late in the season, as the title-winning side of 2012 did against Manchester United, who were their title rivals. And the fact that this one could go down to the final game of the season, could be decided on goal difference. It could come down to all these tiny margins. That's why it feels like there are those same parallels. Yeah, I think it will go down to the last game of the season. I just remember that season where QPR at home, as everyone knows, the famous Aguero goal.

17:11But everyone talks about nerves and confidence and all that sort of thing. And I just remember being in the dressing room before the game and I could feel the tension. You know, normally you have leaders in the dressing room where you look to them and if they're cool, it makes you feel better. At times, in the dressing room, it wasn't like that. There was a nervy feeling. And that's why when we talk about, can Man City catch Arsenal? So were you more like Arsenal in that situation? We'd never won it before. We'd never won it before. And it was up against Sir Alex Ferguson, the great Man United team.

17:48And before the game, I remember looking to Mariah and Vincent Kompany. And he's normally just in the zone. But he was fidgeting. He was fidgeting. I was thinking, is he nervous? And then the game played out. But before that, I had the whole thing of, am I starting? Because I started more than Zabaleta in the season, in terms of right back. I got an injury and then Zabaleta played and Mancini was very superstitious and didn't want to change it. And I was thinking, when he's writing the names on the board, he's mad because you're looking, when he does it, to go down. And I figured, wait for the Richards, he used the second name.

18:24but he went Zabaleta so I'm raging before the game I'm thinking QPR I want to be playing the biggest game in the history for years and then I was sulking I was sulking on the bench thinking I want to be that and not even that the way the game went in terms of Mancini when it got to 60-70 minutes it would always go to 5 at the back but that game didn't pan out that way it was we scored QPR scored then they scored again so he's going to put attacking players not defending so I'm on the bench It's just sulking. And then I was thinking about me. I thought, it's not about me. It's about the team. Look at the effort for the whole season.

19:00It took me a while. I know. It did take me a while. Then Dzeko scored. And then you start to believe them. And you're thinking, who's the top player who can do something for you? And it could only be someone like Sergio Aguero. And that moment still, you know, I get nervous. I get shivers when I'm talking about it because I never believe I would win a Premier League. winning the FA Cup the season before was enough for me I come through the academy I missed out on the youth cup got to the final lost against Liverpool but then to win an FA Cup that was enough for my career to win a Premier League it was the best feeling ever and that's why for Arsenal it's the similarities are he's like fine games here isn't he he's opened I feel like you should be in the dressing room this should be yeah you'd be in the dressing room pre-match are you okay no I'm still not okay I've just got over it now But Arsenal on one side are going through that.

19:55And there'll be things that they've had along the season where it gets you up, it gets you down. But even with the experienced players that we had, there was always nerves. And that's why if it goes down to last game of the season, anything can happen. It's the same in every sport, isn't it? You see even the greats, once pressure comes on them, do strange things. I remember thinking about Rory McIlroy, who wanted the Masters so badly. and the first time and he's hit a shot on 13 that was just so uncharacteristic of him but that's what pressure does and it's the same with the Premier League you know Arsenal want it the manager wants it desperation and they feel like they climbed the mountain on the Sunday so anything can still happen but I'm sticking with it I just think Arsenal have come this far now but I love the speech and I love the mind games and I hear you Mike and you're building it up beautifully to the end of the season but the other thing was in that lovely beautiful story All I said was, is it like 2012?

20:51He's called back memories, Cal. But the amazing thing was, he started Zabaleta, and do you know what he did in that game? He scored as well. Oh, just to have salt in the woods. He just said the manager got it right. It's why Mike is celebrating in high-vis. Well, let's get back to Phil Foden. So get back to Phil Foden. And Phil Foden, yeah. There's still two more games to go in this season. Manchester City have made sure that they can take this at least, you know, a couple of games further. This, Kelly, is the assist of the season. This from Phil Foden is incredible. Michael, you loved this, didn't you?

21:27Go on, Michael. You wanted to see it, but you wanted a big game from Phil Foden. No, the reason why, and I said before, before we started on the show, is I want him to do so well because he comes through the academy. It means more. So to produce this from the academy, his vision, and then to execute that pass, it's just mesmerising to me. And I know he's not had the best of seasons, but in a World Cup when he needs something special he can produce that and he's not played the best for England at all but when I see him, like the season he had a couple of seasons ago where it was player of the year and he's just got that magic and I just wish he could have showed it more this season Similarly for Semenyo as well because that was his first goal in six games he was asked about this assist and said he did mean it he was just helping it on because he knew where the defender was Well, it was an amazing pass from Guardiola to start, but then just, like you said, it was a little bit scruffy.

22:20I was happy for Mamosh as well. No Harlan, obviously, today had to step in his shoes. And he played well. I talked about his movement. He's moving, being in the right place at the right time. But then, again, you know what? I don't know if he did mean that, to be honest. But he's still an assist. He's still an assist. But he only had three Premier League assists before today, so you can understand why he's going to take every single one in that situation. and it will go down obviously as an assist and that's back-to-back goals for Marmouche which is the first time he's done that for Mass City look how close he keeps that ball to his foot it's like it's Velcro to it so so good and he just waits for the perfect time for Savino look he just hurdles that challenge there and then he's off and it's close to his foot and his head's up all the time not looking at the ball he waits he waits and just slides that ball through perfectly that is so so good this guy has been an absolute revelation this season.

23:14He's a joy. It was a cameo. I'm not sure how long he came on for, 20 minutes, but some of the things he did were worth the entrance fee for City fans because we were both waxing lyrical over it. He is just a wonderful footballer to watch. But just going back to Fodum and Bernardo Silva today, we're in a day and age in football where people talk about data and they talk about physicality and they talk about power. Those two midfield players, it's the smallest, it must be the smallest central midfield partnership in the last 10 years, surely. And you've played with the great David Silva. But I love the fact that they didn't out-muscle Crystal Palace, but they out-thought them with their brain, with their intelligence, and the way they moved the ball to each other.

23:56They intercepted passes. They had no right, those two, to compete in a central midfield area. Normally, you say, we're trying to pick the team before the game, and I'm thinking, well, surely he's got a bit of physicality in there, the way the game is now. Maybe he goes with, and we were thinking, eight nor he's a bit more attacking or a bit more aggressive. bring him inside or Nunes comes into midfield but to go with those two it was just a joy because it gave me a little bit of hope because sometimes a small man in terms of football but the big brain can win it's not all about how far you can run and how high you can jump and how many tackles you can win I thought those two were magnificent today but how hard is that to do what them two did without the physical strength yeah but they don't have to outpower they just outthink them they've got the brain they've got the football intelligence and the ball comes into them they're lending it to each other they knew They'd wait for the pass.

24:42They'd suck people in and then they'd play around them. They didn't accept passes. They won headers. They've got a massive... I've always looked at Bernardo Silva and I asked you a question, where does he rank in the Man City greats? You know, because they've got a pamphlet of amazing players since... I talk about this latest era, since Vincent Kompany, if you like. He has to be up there. I don't know where he is in the top 10 or number one, but it's a really difficult call, isn't it? I don't want to disappoint anyone. You know, I'll be getting texts later on. But he's in probably the top 10. Let's not forget Yaya, David Silva, Aguero.

25:12Kevin De Bruyne. Kevin De Bruyne. The list goes on and on. Even the likes of... It is heart and desire. You need your Bernardo Silvers, don't you? I think what's the best about Bernardo Silva, you can put him anywhere. You can put him right back, left back, centre half, centre mid, up front, and his performance levels don't drop. And I think that's because he's so quick with his thoughts and what he wants to do. Technique as well. You know he's got technique. And he's just been an unbelievable servant to the club. I'm sad to see him leave. It feels like everyone's leaving every year. Yeah. Phil Foden at the club.

25:48And potentially, you put the case for him going to America, going to the US, Canada, Mexico for the World Cup this summer. Do you think that that's something that Thomas Huckel will look seriously at doing, given the fact that there is a freshness to him, you know, more than a lot of the number 10s haven't played that much football this season? I think just because it's a 26-man squad, if I'm not mistaken, it used to be 23. And I know some of them players are not going to play, but there's certain games where you're going to be up against teams who play a low block. And I feel as though he's the one who can unlock a door.

26:28And I know he likes Morgan Rodgers. Fantastic. He does it in a different way, more dribbling, more intense with his pressing. But in terms of the passing, the football brain, the IQ, I would be taking him. And I know he's not performed that well for England. You know, you want more. Sometimes he's played false nines, not quite worked for him. But just something who can bring something different. When you've got a big squad and you're thinking, well, what can he give me? He can give you that pass. How many people can deliver that assist, Michael? Not many. Not many. Exactly my point. You know, Cherky can do it.

27:01They've got Benningham playing in that position as well. and he's one of the best in Europe at doing those sort of things. Maybe a little bit different in terms of the way he wants to run into the box, but he can score goals in a different way. Do you think he gets in? I don't think he gets in. I hope and pray does get in. I mean, if he's formed towards the end of the season. But the problem is, he's probably not going to start, Jamie, because Shirky has been so fantastic this season. But if I was picking a squad, he would 100 % be in. Great. We didn't even mention the finish. What a great finish as well.