City, the runaway Premier League leader, needed the late intervention of goalkeeper Ederson’s trailing leg to keep out Luka Milivojevic’s penalty kick and secure a 0-0 draw against a plucky Palace. LONDON—After a record run of 18 successive wins in the Premier League, only a penalty save in stoppage time enabled Manchester City to escape its first defeat of the season Sunday at 17th-place Crystal Palace. “I admire the physicality of the Premier League, but the referees have to protect the players,” Guardiola said. Despite failing to score for the first time in 21 league games, City remains well ahead of the pack. In the 2003-04 season, Arsenal became the only club to get through an entire 38-game Premier League campaign without a defeat.

Source: thestar December 31, 2017 22:30 UTC