First Half: Goal! 1-0, City take the lead through Fernandinho who slides a shot past the keeper at the near post after latching onto Aguero's through ball. Aguero has a long range blast parried before Fernandinho fires a shot over the bar. Aguero blasts a long range shot over the bar. Borinin fires a low shot from an acute angle wide across goal. Nasri fires a shot from long range over the bar.
Half Time: 1-0.
Second Half: Negredo heads over the bar. Jovetic has a low shot from long range saved at the far side. Colback has a low effort parried behind at the near side. Goal! 1-1, Sunderland equalise through Wickham who volleys Giaccherini's cross in from close range. Jovetic fires a shot from long range wide. Dzeko strikes a shot wide of the near post. Goal! 1-2, Sunderland come from behind to take the lead as Giaccherini plays in Wickham who fires past Hart at the near side. Dzeko fires a shot wide of the near post. Goal! 2-2, City equalise through Nasri who scores with a low shot that is parried into the far side of the net. Nasri puts a good chance over the bar.
Full Time: 2-2.
Man City 3rd, 70>71pts
Sunderland 20th. 25>26pts
My Opinion
My man of the match was Wickham. Man City scrape point at Etihad. It was clear to see that City were still suffering from their defeat to Liverpool on Sunday as they looked out of sorts tonight against a battling Sunderland side. They started the game well, taking a very early lead but paid the price for spurning chances and failing to build on their lead. Aguero, Negredo and Jovetic were all denied goals before they were pegged back and fell behind. Nasri managed to salvage a late equaliser but missed a really good chance to win the match right at the death. That draw means that City have their title hopes dented and they really need Liverpool to slip up if they are to win the premier league.
Sunderland were caught out early on but managed to keep themselves in the game at 1-0 down. Incredibly, a Wickham double in the space of ten minutes gave their hopes of survival a massive push as they went ahead. From that position they probably should have held on for the three points but City really threw the kitchen sink at them before eventually scoring an equaliser to make it 2-2. Poyet would most likely have taken a point if it was offered to him before the game but in the situation they are in, three would have been just what the doctor ordered. That result could be exactly what Sunderland needed to boost their confidence going into their next few games.
Everton 2 v 3 Crystal Palace Puncheon (23), Dann (49), Naismith (61), Jerome (73), Mirallas (86)
First Half: Barry heads over the bar. McGeady fires a long range shot over the far top corner. Goal! 0-1, Palace take the lead through Puncheon who scores with a low shot into the far bottom corner. Mirallas fires over the bar from an acute angle. Bolasie strikes a low shot from long range against the near post. Lukaku has a low shot parried past the near post. Bolasie fires a long range shot over the near side.
Half Time: 0-1.
Second Half: Ledley has a shot parried past the near post. Goal! 0-2, Palace double their lead through Dann who who heads in a Bolasie corner into the far side. McGeady fires a long range shot wide of the far post. Goal! 1-2, Everton half the deficit as Baines heads the ball back across goal to Naismith who taps in from close range. Mirallas puts an effort over the bar. Osman has a shot tipped against the top of the bar. Goal! 1-3, Palace restore their two goal lead through Jerome who scores with a low curling shot into the far bottom corner. Barkley has a low shot across goal pushed past the far post. Goal! 2-3, Everton go back to within one goal as Mirallas guides the ball over the keeper before tapping in after latching onto Barkley's through ball.
Full Time: 2-3.
Everton 4>5th, 66pts
Palace 12>11th, 37>40pts
My Opinion
My man of the match was Bolasie. Palace stun Everton at Goodison Park. That was a terrible result for Everton who's hopes of a champions league place took a massive blow tonight. They have fallen one point behind Arsenal but with the games left to play for either team, Arsenal have the much easier run in and I think it's all over now for Everton this year. They created plenty of chances going forward but it was in defence where their problems lay. Going 2-0 down was a huge shock to their system and it left them with too much to do. They scored twice but the game had gone. Disappointment for Everton who move down one place into 5th after that defeat.
Palace were mightily impressive and thoroughly deserved to take all three points. It was a massive performance from everyone and credit must go to Pulis who has turned this club around. That victory ensures their safety in the league and it looks like they could end up in mid-table by the end of the season. Nobody would have thought that was going to happen earlier on in the season. Bolasie was a constant threat with his pace and power whilst Jerome took his goal nicely. With that win, Palace move up one place into 11th.
Best Goal: Wickham, Puncheon, Jerome. Winner: Wickham
League Leaders
1. Liverpool P34 - 77pts
2. Chelsea P34 - 75pts
3. Man City P33 - 71pts
4. Arsenal P34 - 67pts
5. Everton P34 - 66pts
Relegation Battle
16. West Brom P33 - 33pts
17. Norwich P34 - 32pts
18. Fulham P34 - 30pts
19. Cardiff P34 - 29pts
20. Sunderland P33 - 26pts
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