LONDON: Manchester City eased doubts over their ability to sustain a Premier League title challenge by beating Crystal Palace comfortably on Saturday but Tottenham face another inquisition after narrowly avoiding defeat to bottom club Watford.
Pep Guardiola’s men travelled to London eight points behind runaway leaders Liverpool after two defeats in four league games but bossed possession and rarely looked troubled. Earlier, Tottenham came within minutes of another damaging defeat while Chelsea and Leicester both won to underline their top-four credentials.
City beat in-form Palace 2-0 with first-half goals from Gabriel Jesus and David Silva but a combination of some wayward finishing and an inspired performance from Palace goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey prevented a rout.
Guardiola praised his makeshift defence but demanded more of a killer touch from his side, who had 21 shots.
“Unfortunately, we could not convert the chances we had but it was an important three points after the international break,” he told Sky Sports.
“Hopefully we can start from here and continue our good performance. Their ‘keeper made a lot of saves but hopefully we can be more clinical.”
Earlier, Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino saw his side labour to a 1-1 draw at home to Watford, following a 3-0 thrashing at Brighton and a humiliating 7-2 defeat at home to Bayern Munich.
Spurs, who reached the Champions League final in June, have now won just three of their opening 12 games in all competitions and appear unable to find their spark. – AFP
