Manchester City moved within two points of Premier League leaders Arsenal following a late penalty by Erling Haaland to hand his side a narrow 1-0 win over Crystal Palace on Saturday.

Pep Guardiola’s squad had difficulty breaking down Palace until Haaland scored from the penalty spot with 12 minutes remaining at a drenched Selhurst Park.

Haaland’s 34th goal in all competitions since joining City from Borussia Dortmund last year was enough to secure City’s fifth league victory in their last six games.

Having maintained pressure on Arsenal, the defending champions will hope Mikel Arteta’s squad slips up on Sunday when they travel to Fulham for their game in hand.

“Of course Arsenal is on an incredible run. Still we are there,” Guardiola said.

“Here in the typical winter game, a difficult one, we were there all the time and then we won it.”

The hard-fought victory was necessary to prevent Arsenal from gaining ground in the title race despite City’s less-than-stellar performance.

“My experience is that every time we come here it has been very tough. We always struggle because we want to score more goals,” Guardiola said.

“They will waste time so we have to push to do it. Everything pleased me. It is not easy, they defend six players in the box and Erling had two men marking him. It was a question of patience.”

Haaland and co. will now focus on Tuesday’s second leg of their Champions League round of 16 match against Leipzig in Manchester, with the tie currently tied 1-1.

Palace are currently on the longest winless streak in the Premier League, having failed to earn maximum points in any of their 10 games in 2023, a dreadful sequence that has left them only four points above the relegation zone.

Guardiola left Kevin De Bruyne and Kyle Walker on the bench, Walker’s exile occurring just days after police opened an investigation into allegations that the England defender exposed himself indecently in a bar.

Rodri’s powerful volley was parried by Palace goalkeeper Vicente Guaita, signaling City’s strong start.

Jeffrey Schlupp blocked Ruben Dias’s attempt to put away the rebound, and moments later, Jack Grealish shot just wide.

Manuel Akanji was forced to race back to block Wilfried Zaha’s shot after Phil Foden carelessly surrendered possession, nearly exposing City.