Has Manchester City's search for the 'perfect goal' ended their title hopes?

07 April 2015 09:54

At Selhurst Park it seems that Manchester City were finally dealt a final blow to their title hopes this season. This time they were once again guilty of the same type of performance that saw them lose away to Burnley last time out. Like the Arsenal of old it seems as if City are being punished for consistently trying to score the perfect goal, or as Channel 4’s The IT Crowd popularly mentioned of trying to pass the ball into the back of the net.

This sentiment has become increasingly identifiable this season and now significantly means that The Citizens will be looking to stave off other top four contenders rather than fight for the defense of their title for the rest of the season, with an astonishing seven games to play.

Although City looked the more dangerous for large periods of the game against Crystal Palace they never really looked threatening until the final 15 minutes where they were taking shots, from outside the box, that were presented to them by the tired Palace defenders. Too seldom have we seen Yaya Toure score his trademark curlers from beyond 18 yards this season and I am beginning to see more and more that this might have less so to do with Toure’s form as much as with Manuel Pellegrini’s playing philosophy. Pellegrini’s decision to start the very one-dimensional Jesus Navas in place of either James Milner or Samir Nasri is a large part of that. Arsene Wenger rode through the storm with Arsenal when he was similarly criticized. Whether or not Pellegrini survives will remain to be seen.

Source: DSG