Manchester City vs Crystal Palace: Roy Hodgson's side hand champions major title blow
Re-live the action from the Etihad Stadium
Champions Manchester City will trail Premier League leaders Liverpool by four points on Christmas Day after a shock 3-2 loss to Crystal Palace.
Andros Townsend scored one of the goals of the season as Roy Hodgson's inspired Palace came from behind to condemn City to their first league defeat at the Etihad Stadium since April.
Townsend struck with a 30-yard volley after Jeffrey Schlupp had cancelled out Ilkay Gundogan's opener on a rain-soaked afternoon.
A penalty from Luka Milivojevic sealed victory although Kevin De Bruyne's cross-cum-shot gave City, who also hit the post through Leroy Sane, late hope.
The defeat was City's second in three league games and handed the title initiative to Liverpool, whom they face on 3 January. Re-live the action in the blog below:
Five goals, three points - a very happy Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. Manchester United good, Cardiff poor, and it finishes 5-1.

Promising signs for Solskjaer's Manchester United, though Cardiff were pretty dire. Would Manchester United have taken them apart so comprehensively with Jose Mourinho still at the helm? I think they may still have done...
Nevertheless, a welcome return to Cardiff for the new Manchester United manager.

That's all from us here tonight after an action-packed day of footballing action. Manchester City and Chelsea faltered at home, Arsenal got back to winning ways at lunchtime and Manchester United kick-started a new era in impressive fashion this evening.
For reaction, fallout, analysis and more from all of today's games, stay with The Independent.
I've been Harry Latham-Coyle - thank you for joining me.


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