Manchester City dropped more points in the Premier League yesterday – but there was a first goal in the competition for Rico Lewis.
City could only draw 2-2 at the Etihad Stadium with the Eagles, with City somehow throwing it away despite a dominant display for three-quarters of the game.
City looked set to take three points after Jack Grealish and Rico Lewis had scored for the hosts. But sloppy defending allowed Palace to come away with a point.
Jean-Philippe Mateta equalised, with Michael Olise converting an injury-time penalty.
It was a hugely disappointing result, but Ian Holloway did praise Rico Lewis after the game…
Ian Holloway lauds ‘absolutely brilliant’ Rico Lewis for Manchester City
The end result was bitterly disappointing considering City’s control of the game.
But there were still positives to take, and one was the performance of Lewis in midfield.
After shining in the Champions League against Red Star Belgrade, Lewis was back in the starting XI against the Eagles, and completing a really good week for the club’s academy, after Micah Hamilton and Oscar Bobb both scored against Red Star.
Lewis came in for praise from Ian Holloway, who was on punditry duty for City’s Matchday Live show. He said: “Absolutely brilliant, honestly. To see him slot in that midfield role and be so comfortable and also balance it out and understand that he can drop back in when Rodri runs forward… I think the kid’s really got it. He’s got a fantastic football brain, he’s at the right place.”
Lewis’ goal for City on Saturday was his second for the club, after he scored against Sevilla in the Champions League last season at the Etihad.
What a talent
It was brilliant to see Lewis score his first goal in the Premier League yesterday and such a shame that it ultimately did not count towards three points for City.
Lewis’ overall performance yesterday was really good again. He was busy in midfield, which was great to see considering he was involved in midweek.
City are struggling as a collective at the moment but Lewis can hold his head fairly high, because his personal performances during this tricky period have been pretty good.
Hopefully, he can continue making the most of his chances, which you feel will be coming a bit more often for the £25,000-a-week star.
