Jack Grealish can achieve Premier League first with Man City

Grealish gunning for three

Remember the old Jack Grealish, the one who used to play with abandon and score goals for fun at Aston Villa before Manchester City coached all the fun out of him? Those who do will be surprised to read that he has never scored in three consecutive Premier League games. Pep Guardiola[1] is keen for Grealish[2] to add goals to all the other qualities he has, and the England international bagged what should have been a winner against Tottenham and then what turned out to be the winner against Luton.

Against Crystal Palace, Grealish can hit a new personal best with three in a row. He will need to shake off the injury that forced him off at half-time in the Champions League in midweek after some rough treatment in Belgrade, although the indications are that he will be available. And should he make it, Jeremy Doku's absence[3] increases his chances of starting to give him the opportunity to extend his scoring streak.

ALSO READ: Erling Haaland stuns young fan with unexpected gesture[4] ALSO READ: Every word from Pep Guardiola ahead of Palace[5]

Bogey team for City

Palace make it more difficult for City than Guardiola would like, with the manager even more frustrated at why City are worse against them at the Etihad than they are at Selhurst Park. Defeat just before Christmas five years ago with that Andros Townsend wonder goal prompted a furious reaction from the City boss.

Palace have only lost on two of their last five visits, while the last 10 league goals City have scored in meetings at either ground have all come in the second half; last year an Erling Haaland hat-trick turned a 0-2 into 4-2. It may look a routine game on paper, but there is plenty of history between these teams to suggest the injury-hit Eagles could have another surprise in them.

Keeping focus

Guardiola and his players will have their eyes on winning the Club World Cup next week to add to the trophy cabinet, but the manager has made it clear that his side cannot afford to lose focus in the Premier League. Last week's win at Luton means it is one victory from five games in the league and while it looks like fewer points may be needed to win the title this year City can't afford any complacency thinking like that.

Chance for kids?

Micah Hamilton and Oscar Bobb were the stars on Wednesday, showing that they could have bright futures at the Etihad.

Guardiola made nine changes for that match and there will be similar again as the manager reverts back to a stronger team.

However, Hamilton and Bobb have proven that they can perform when called upon so may get the chance to make more matchday squads.

Once you are there, there is always a possibility that you could get more minutes.

References

1. ^ Guardiola (www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk)
2. ^ Grealish (www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk)
3. ^ Jeremy Doku's absence (www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk)
4. ^ Erling Haaland stuns young fan with unexpected gesture (Erling%20Haaland%20stuns%20young%20Man%20City%20fan%20with%20unexpected%20gesture)
5. ^ Every word from Pep Guardiola ahead of Palace (www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk)