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Manchester City boss reacts after shock defeat to Crystal Palace

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has stressed that his team are still in the Premier League title race and they will fight to the end to retain their English crown. The Citizens came into the weekend’s game with a one-point deficit over leaders Liverpool and that gap extended to four after a shock defeat at the hands of Crystal Palace.

Speaking after the game, Guardiola highlighted that the Citizens were the better side to begin the proceedings but they were pegged back by a moment of brilliance from Andros Townsend before conceding a reckless penalty which ultimately proved the downfall in a 3-2 defeat. He said: “We started quite well and created chances. We scored a fantastic goal and after they passed the halfway line they scored. The third goal...we cannot concede the penalty we conceded. We have to try and avoid it. Football is like this. Three shots on goal and three goals.It's complicated but we fight until the last second. We are in December and we will try and recover and try and win games again.”

“Palace’s previous encounter versus the Citizens finished in a 0-0 draw at Selhurst Park“ but they should have won the game after Luka Milivojevic squandered a wonderful chance to convert from the penalty spot. However, when the same situation arose at the Etihad Stadium, the Serbian managed to convert the spot kick “which offered the Eagles“ a 3-1 advantage which they managed to hold onto until Kevin de Bruyne’s consolation strike.

With the defeat, the Citizens are no longer dependent on the outcome of their reverse fixture versus Liverpool and they may require further assistance from some of their rival clubs to cease the title charge of Jurgen Klopp’s side. Guardiola’s team face Leicester City and Southampton on the road before the league clash versus Liverpool at the Etihad.

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