Arsenal vs Manchester City title race after Palace win

Pep Guardiola’s message after Manchester City's 3-0 win over Crystal Palace was plain enough. Arsenal still control the Premier League title race, even if City have kept it alive with two matches left.

The win took City within two points of Arsenal in the live title-race scenario described by the match report, and City now have a marginally better goal difference. That matters because it keeps pressure on the leaders, but it does not change who still has the cleaner path to the trophy.

Why Guardiola is still backing Arsenal to decide it

Pep Guardiola told BBC Match of the Day: "Depends on them [Arsenal]. If they win two games - nothing to do, nothing to talk. All we can be is in there just in case. The last two games are tough."

That is the right framing. City can only keep winning and hope Arsenal wobble, while Arsenal still have the league points in hand and the title in their own control. The brief is clear on that split, and Guardiola did not try to sell it any other way.

Foden's return gave City a much-needed lift

Phil Foden's first Premier League start in more than two months produced two assists, including a backheel, as City beat Crystal Palace 3-0 at the Etihad Stadium. He was also the standout performer in the match, earning a 9/10 rating after 82 minutes.

That is the more encouraging piece for City. Foden has made 31 Premier League appearances this season, and this was the kind of sharp, creative display City have needed at the business end. Guardiola praised the side's patience, and Foden backed that up with the kind of final-third quality that can still swing tight title races.

Foden said: "It's a team game at the end of the day, if you want to win titles and trophies it's about a full squad and everyone playing their part. The aim is to keep pushing and keep them on their toes. We've seen a lot of things can happen on the final day. I've experienced it many times when the game doesn't go your way. We just have to keep pushing and doing our part."

City now need their own results first, but they also need help. Arsenal host Burnley next Monday, then Manchester City travel to Bournemouth 24 hours later, so the next round of fixtures will shape whether the race reaches the final day. If it does, Arsenal go to Crystal Palace and City host Aston Villa.