The race for the title is open as Silva, De Bruyne and Mahrez all close painfully close

WE HAVE taken off.

If there was any doubt about the chances of a bloody title race, they were blown to pieces in the depths of South London.

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And now, unbelievable, when you consider the gap at one stage, the title is in Liverpool’s hands.

No need to worry about goal difference.

Just win their remaining games, including a trip to the Etihad on April 10, and Jurgen Klopp’s side will lead Manchester City to the title.

Despite Liverpool’s good form, no one can say they are certain to see this coming.

But a month after the defeat at home to Spurs, Man City had a little more wobble before an extremely hard-working Palace team.

Obviously there’s a lot to play with. Man City’s squad is still slightly better than Liverpool’s.

But … how can Pep Guardiola regret this result.

For the most part, Guardiola stood in his technical area, looking rather composed.

If he’s panicking, then he’s doing a great job of hiding it.

Similarly, even though his side failed to capitalize on their chances, Guardiola still refused to make any substitutions, an oddity.

Possibly, he hoped that, as usual, one of City’s most talented players would bring victory for them but that didn’t happen.

Bernardo Silva, Kevin de Bruyne, Riyad Mahrez, Aymeric Laporte and Joao Cancelo all have chances.

Many of them. Including a great goal in stoppage time.

Now, Liverpool have to do their bit against Arsenal on Wednesday.

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City wasted too many chances, even in the first half, and you just think that in the end something will come out and they’ll win 3-0.

Guardiola’s side also made silly mistakes from the beginning with Laptore and Kyle Walker but they were able to fix it.

As the errors continued, Palace goalkeeper Vicente Guaita hit Kevin de Bruyne’s shot towards Bernardo Silva but he was not as sharp as usual and his first touch was too heavy. and go out to make a tee-up.

Predictably, City increased the numbers, albeit finishing third. They created enough opportunities but not clinical enough.

After Phil Foden shot the ball wide of the post in a corner, Cancelo’s long shot hit the post and was deflected as Laporte’s first shot went straight into the Holmesdale Road stands.

Riyad Mahrez, with 13 goals in City’s previous 14 appearances, hit a shot straight into Guaita in an area he expected to score.

Mahrez then made another wild finish, certainly to his high standards, just before the break.

Maybe Guardiola wasn’t happy with what he saw but City came out early in the second half, a pretty good minute in front of referee Martin Atkinson and Palace, who didn’t create too much.

But right in the second half, they were given one of those rare opportunities that you need to take advantage of against Man City.

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Cheikhou Kouyate had some corner kicks and didn’t realize he was in a good position but headed off the post.

Jack Grealish, who was enduring a quiet game on the left, showed real determination and speed to catch up to Conor Gallagher, who took the break lead at home.

However, Grealish caught up with his man, fouled his man, and was booked by Atkinson.

The England international then sarcastically welcomed the decision, which is always a dangerous game but Grealish ignored it.

However, Grealish redeemed with a moment of class, creating a move that resulted in De Bruyne’s shot into the far corner from a tight angle and Mahrez’s track was toppled by Guaita.

Then, somehow, Silva, from just two meters, managed to cross Grealish’s goal when he couldn’t score.

As City’s frustrations grew, Rodri began to scuffle as he motioned Kouyate to the floor as he writhed in pain after being left out of contact.

Substitute Odsonne Edouard caused some panic in the visitors’ defence but caught the ball between his feet when he threatened to score a late goal.

Laporte missed a good chance at the top of five additional games when he hit a messy header from De Bruyne’s free-kick.

Finally, Man City statistics show possession of the ball at 74%, with 18 shots and four on target.

However, it is important to have no goal – and a point.

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