Leaders Man City drop points at Palace to open door for Liverpool

LONDON : Leaders Manchester City were held to a 0-0 draw at Crystal Palace on Monday as the Premier League title race took yet another dramatic twist.

With nearest challengers Liverpool having cut the gap to three points with their victory at Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday, the champions dominated in the first half at Selhurst Park, but could not find a breakthrough.

The post was rattled in the first half by Joao Cancelo and again after the break by Kevin De Bruyne as City continued to be frustrated.

Pep Guardiola's men threw everything at Palace late on, but could not find a winner as they dropped two valuable points in their quest to make it four league titles in the last five seasons.

The stalemate means Liverpool can close to within one point of City if they win their game in hand against Arsenal on Wednesday, raising expectations the title race will go right to the wire.

Palace stretched their unbeaten run to five games in all competitions to stay 11th.

(Reporting by Peter Hall; Editing by Christian Radnedge)