Ice-cool Haaland on the spot for City
Manchester City needed a second-half penalty from striker Erling Haaland to break the resistance of a dogged Crystal Palace and secure a 1-0 win at Selhurst Park in the Premier League on Saturday. The win moved City to 61 points after 27 games, two behind leaders Arsenal, who play Fulham on Sunday, and 12 ahead of third-placed Manchester United. The visitors made a swift start, with midfielder Rodri clipping a powerful third-minute volley straight at keeper Vicente Guaita and Jack Grealish pulling a shot just wide, but with the home side packing their defence, City had a hard time breaking them down. In a sign of frustration, Haaland smashed a shot from a very tight angle goalwards just before the half-hour mark and then blasted the rebound wide as his side dominated possession. The second half was equally deadlocked until City's breakthrough finally came when captain Ilkay Gundogan was upended in the box following a clumsy late challenge by Michael Olise. Haaland smashed home the spot kick low to the keeper's left in the 78th minute for his 34th goal of the season in all competitions and, with Palace failing to register a shot on target for the third Premier League game in a row, City held on to win comfortably. Earlier, Tottenham Hotspur then took full advantage of Liverpool's slip-up at Bournemouth as they lifted the gloom of a dismal 10 days to beat Nottingham Forest 3-1 at home thanks to Harry Kane's double. Tottenham, who exited the FA Cup and Champions League and lost to Wolverhampton Wanderers in the league in their last three games, cemented themselves in fourth place with 48 points from 27 games with Liverpool on 42 from a game less. Chelsea's resurgence continued as they made it three consecutive wins in all competitions with a 3-1 victory at Leicester City who have now lost four league games in a row to leave manager Brendan Rodgers under pressure. Everton eased their relegation fears as they became the first side to beat Brentford in the league since October – Dwight McNeil's goal after 35 seconds sealing the points. Leeds United twice came from a goal down to draw 2-2 at home to in-form Brighton and Hove Albion, although they ended the day back in the bottom three. (Reuters)