Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1065920
30 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 23 DECEMBER 2018 SPORTS PREMIER LEAGUE A wonder strike from Andros Townsend was the highlight of a memorable victory for Crystal Palace as champions Manchester City lost a home game for just the second time in 41 league games. Ilkay Gundogan's header looked to be just the start for a dominant Man City at the Etihad, but the expected landslide didn't come as Jef- frey Schlupp levelled before Townsend scored possibly the goal of the season just two minutes later. Luka Milivojevic then put Palace into dreamland with a third from the penalty spot on 51 minutes to really set alarm bells ringing among City fans. Substitute Kevin De Bruyne pulled one back five minutes from time but Pep Guar- diola's side couldn't find an equaliser as they remained four points behind Liverpool in the Premier League table. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang goals pave way for Arsenal win Crystal Palace beat Manchester City PIERREEMERICK Aubameyang (pictured) scored twice as Arsenal hung on to maintain pressure on the top four and leave Burnley in the Premier League bottom three at Christ- mas. Mesut Ozil - making a first start in six league matches - produced a sublime de- fence-splitting pass to Sead Kolasinac for Ar- senal's opener, with the defender picking out Aubameyang for his 11th league goal of the season. Remarkably, after 18 top-flight games, Ar- senal led at the interval for the first time this season and it took the Gunners fewer than three second-half minutes to double the ad- vantage, Aubameyang's powerful finish com- pleting a quick counter-attack. Burnley kept to their task though and Ash- ley Barnes brought the Clarets back into the contest on 63 minutes with a low finish after the home side failed to clear. The home fans grew increasingly nervous as Burnley pushed for an equaliser but Alex Iwobi scored from close range in stoppage- time to ensure the Gunners moved level with fourth-placed Chelsea ahead of the Blues' match against Leicester. Luka Milivojevic celebrates scoring for Crystal Palace at Manchester City