STATS: Manchester City vs Crystal Palace

Manchester City came from behind to win 2-1 against Liverpool on Boxing Day in what could be a vital result in the race for the Premier League title. Vincent Kompany and Alvaro Negredo were on the score sheet to move City within a point of Arsenal at the top of the Premier League.

Negredo’s goal was his 9th of the season, coming from 33 shots at goal with an average of 4.125 shots per goal. Impressive stats, although midfield team mate Yaya Toure is top of the shooting charts in the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index converting a goal every 2.89 shots.

Yaya Toure has also continued his outstanding passing game this season, completing more passes in the opposition half than any other player with 715

Manchester City’s strength this season has come from having goal threats all over the pitch. That’s typified by Aleksandar Kolarov, who with 19 shots at goal this season has hit more than any other defender in the Premier League.

Meanwhile fellow full back Pablo Zabaleta has won more tackles than any other Premier League defender with 61, and he comes up against Palace’s own tough tackling full back Joel Ward today. Ward is second among the Premier League defenders for tackles won, behind Zabaleta, with 60.

Crystal Palace moved out of the relegation zone with a 1-0 victory over Aston Villa on Boxing Day continued their revival under Tony Pulis. Palace have now won three of their last six Barclays Premier League game.

Dwight Gayle, Palace’s £6.5 million summer signing scored his third goal of the Premier League season to secure the win deep into injury time.

Manchester City will need to be careful of Crystal Palace’s efficient goal scoring. Chamakh and Gayle have seven goals between them from just 22 shots, a conversion rating on a par with any Premier League strikers.

Underpinning the efficiency of Crystal Palace’s strikeforce have been the superb defensive performances of captain Mile Jedinak, who has won more tackles than any other player in the Premier League with 65. Jedinak has also made more clearances than any other midfielder with 68 and the most interceptions with 66 (18 more than the next highest ranked player)

Chamakh has also put in a defensive shift up front, winning more tackles than any other striker in the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index with 28 and the most clearances with 29