We cannot say nobody warned us. Pep Guardiola had claimed earlier this month that Manchester City were enjoying a “fake lead” at the top; the reality now is that their cushion will be cut to a single point if Liverpool win at Arsenal on Wednesday and, while that is far from a sure thing, a title race might just have broken out.
It is game on and, should City blow it, they may look back on this as the occasion things turned. They had a rare off night against an intelligent, punchy Crystal Palace and only created chances consistently during a purple patch in the first half. Blinking at this particular point could cost them, but anyone wanting a genuine contest over the season’s remainder will now feel enriched.
