In a stunning turn of events at Etihad Stadium in Manchester, Crystal Palace dealt a significant blow to Manchester City’s pursuit of a fourth consecutive Premier League title with a late, dramatic 2-2 draw, sealed by Michael Olise’s stoppage-time penalty.

Manchester City appeared to be in control with a 2-0 lead as Jack Grealish continued his impressive form with a goal—his third in as many league matches—and Rico Lewis notched his first-ever goal in the Premier League.

However, in the 76th minute, a lapse in concentration from Kyle Walker allowed Marc Guehi to deliver a precise pass down the City right flank. Jeffrey Schlupp capitalized on the opportunity, delivering a cross for Jean-Philippe Mateta, who slid in to convert, showcasing his ability to score crucial penalties as he did against Liverpool the previous weekend.

The frantic pace of the match continued, and with an air of déjà vu for City, who had recently suffered last-minute setbacks against Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur, their failure to put the game to rest came back to haunt them. In a tense moment, Phil Foden committed a panicked foul on Mateta, leading to Olise confidently converting the subsequent penalty.

Despite City’s dominance and a seemingly comfortable lead, the match’s unforeseeable conclusion left fans in awe. The initially validated goal by Grealish, following a thorough VAR check, added to the rollercoaster of emotions in a contest that ultimately slipped away from the reigning Premier League champions.