Player Ratings: Palace vs. Manchester City
Dean Henderson – 7
No chance with either of Manchester City’s goals, but this was a reminder of his pedigree. Denied Anderson sharply early on, then stood up well to efforts from Semenyo and Cherki. Kept Palace alive for longer than they deserved.
Jaydee Convot – 6
Rarely flustered and did little wrong individually, yet still walked off having been picked apart by Cherki. The one-v-one duel was only going one way once City cranked up the tempo.
Chris Richards – 6
Threw himself into the contest with Haaland and never hid, but the Norwegian bullied his way through key moments. Should have changed the story with a free header in the first half, only to waste it.
Takehiro Tomiyasu – 6
Exactly what Palace thought they were buying: calm, reliable, no drama. Used his experience to plug gaps and organise, but even his nous couldn’t stem the late tide.
Anan Khalaili – 6
Ran, chased, pressed. The effort was there, the spark less so. Got into promising areas but the final ball and finish deserted him when Palace needed more incision.
Daichi Kamada – 5
Covered ground and always showed for the ball, yet never really grabbed hold of midfield. City’s rhythm pushed him deeper and deeper, and his influence faded with every passing attack.
Adam Wharton – 7
The standout in red and blue. Passed with authority, saw angles others missed and dictated Palace’s better spells. Sprayed the ball around with real class, but like the rest of the midfield, was eventually swamped by City’s waves of pressure.
Tyrick Mitchell – 6
Snapped into tackles and used his pace well defensively, but his big moment came at the other end. Found space for a first-half header and couldn’t take it; an equaliser there might have changed everything.
Eddie Nketiah – 5
Started brightly, stinging Donnarumma’s palms and buzzing across the front line. After the break, the edge dulled. Spurned a huge chance early in the second half and drifted out of the game.
Yeremy Pino – 6
Frustrating, then electric, then frustrating again. That’s the package. Carried a constant threat when he drove at defenders and produced a wicked free-kick that went in off Donnarumma for the own goal. Flashes of quality, not enough sustained damage.
Jorgen Strand Larsen – 5
Worked the channels and never stopped offering himself, but Dias relished the physical battle and came out on top. Had one clear sight of goal in the first half and failed to take it. On nights like this, that ruthlessness is the difference.
Subs
- Guessand (on 63, Strand Larsen)
- Gozo (on 68, Pino)
- McNeil (on 68, Nketiah)
- Disasi (on 74, Tomiyasu)
- Mingueza (on 74, Khalaili)
The bench brought fresh legs, not a fresh storyline, as City’s control tightened and Palace’s resistance finally gave way.
