1) Will Palace face City backlash?
Ten months ago Patrick Vieira’s men carried out a classic smash-and-grab win over Manchester City, the manager instructing Wilfried Zaha to be fed quick balls over the home high line helmed by Rúben Dias and Aymeric Laporte, with the forward’s teammates to rush forward in support. It was executed to perfection. Dias and Laporte, hardly the quickest or best on the turn, were hassled by Zaha, who scored the opener and caused the latter to be sent off in the first half. Then, after the break, Zaha’s slick footwork led to Conor Gallagher’s second for Palace. Can they do it again? Sure. Especially after Newcastle gave Pep Guardiola’s champions a hounding in last Sunday’s 3-3 thriller to suggest they are not quite at their finest. But City ooze class and have a habit of responding to a setback in box-office fashion. Post-Palace last October they lost only once again in the league – the following February. JJ
