Pep Guardiola told which three players can arrest slump in Man City form

Danny Murphy believes Manchester City's poor form could be a short-term blip with the return of Erling Haaland, Kevin De Bruyne and John Stones key to finding their groove again.

City threw away a two-goal lead and utter domination to draw 2-2 at home to Crystal Palace on Saturday. Goals either side of half-time from Jack Grealish and Rico Lewis were cancelled out by Jean-Phillipe Mateta and an added-time Michael Olise penalty.

Pep Guardiola's side have now gone three consecutive Premier League home games without a win for the first time since 2016 and are on their lowest points tally after 17 games under the Catalan. But while Murphy hopes they continue to struggle for the sake of an exciting title race, he expects key returnees to make the difference.

ALSO READ: City player ratings vs Palace as Grealish shines but Blues made to pay

ALSO READ: City keep making the same mistake

"Possibly," Murphy told Match of the Day when asked if City's issues are just a temporary blip. "I hope for the sake of everyone else trying to compete with them that it's not, but I think it is. You've got Kevin De Bruyne to come back, Haaland to come back and Stones getting fit again."

Stones came off the bench for the final exchanges on Saturday after starting and playing 86 minutes in the 3-2 Champions League win at Crvena zvezda. But Guardiola is having to be cautious with the defender who has suffered with several fitness issues this season.

Haaland has now missed City's last three matches with what Guardiola has described as a 'stress' injury in his foot. The Norwegian flew out to Jeddah with his teammates overnight and will hope to be available for the Club World Cup, either during the week or next weekend.

De Bruyne has been absent