Manchester City

No one expected Crystal Palace to have any chance of getting anything out of a trip to the Etihad on Saturday. Roy Hodgson probably didn’t even plan for a point against the defending Premier League champs. But then the Andros Townsend goal vs Man City broke Pep Guardiola’s side.

Townsend unleashed a vicious volley from 30 yards in the 35th minute to send the Eagles on their way to a remarkable 3-2 victory over Manchester City on Saturday. 

Everything appeared to be business as usual when Ilkay Gündogan put City in front in the 27th minute with a nice header.

The Champions League Round of 16 draw results are in, and although we have to wait until mid-February to get started, some things are too tasty to be left on the back-burner for that long. Here’s a look at all eight matchups, and an incredibly scientific ranking of which ties get us all hot and bothered.

Champions League Round of 16 Draw Results 2019, Ranked

Spectacular. The round of 16 draw

During yesterday’s Premier League match between Chelsea and Manchester City at Stamford Bridge, a Blues supporter could be seen allegedly directing racist abuse at City forward Raheem Sterling.

Chelsea defeated Manchester City 2-0 on Saturday at Stamford Bridge, handing the Citizens their first Premier League Loss in seven months. But one idiot fan may have marred the entire victory with a vile display of racism.

N’Golo Kanté and David Luiz both scored for the Blues, who jumped back into third in the Premier League table with the win. Chelsea dulled the City attack like no other team has been able to do in England this year. Even late in the match when goalie Kepa Arrizabalaga gave the ball away, the Spaniard redeemed himself moments later with a save on Gabriel Jesus.

Sunday wasn’t Raheem Sterling’s greatest individual display as an attacker, but the 23-year-old again demonstrated why he’s such a vital part of Pep Guardiola’s side — and completely unmatched in his skill set within the England national team — by retaining possession in difficult areas and constantly pulling Manchester United’s well-organized, pressing defensive unit this way and that with his array of clever flicks, dribbles and one-touch passing. 

Manchester City achieved what Juventus could not on Sunday, burying Manchester United when another Jose Mourinho smash and grab threatened. Sumptuous goals from David Silva and Sergio Aguero had given City a 2-0 lead, but a needless foul by Ederson on Romelu Lukaku allowed Anthony Martial to halve the deficit in the 58th minute.

Manchester City returned to the top of the Premier League table with an emphatic 6-1 win over Southampton on Sunday, including a three-goal barrage in the match’s opening 18 minutes. Raheem Sterling scored a brace, Sergio Aguero reached the landmark of 150 EPL goals, David Silva laced a fine volley and Leroy Sane forced a Wesley Hoedt own goal before getting on the scoresheet himself to complete the rout.  

Given the tightness at the top, it’s also worth noting that City took its goal differential to +28 with the scoreline — by far the best in the division.

Having watched Minnesota United on the turf field at TCF Bank Stadium in Minneapolis for the last two years — often complete with the white football field markings and the giant University of Minnesota “M” at the center — I could only laugh at those with any vested interest in a crucial Premier League encounter between Tottenham and Manchester City today.