Stop the clock. After 18 successive Premier League victories, Manchester City have failed to win, held to a goalless draw at Crystal Palace.
They are still top, with 59 points, comfortably clear of the rest and still unbeaten in the Premier League but they came mighty close to defeat as goalkeeper Ederson saved a last-minute penalty from Luka Milivojevic.
Palace thought they were about to achieve a famous triumph when Wilfried Zaha was adjudged to have been fouled by Raheem Sterling.
Zaha smiled and clenched his fists to celebrate the decision and the Selhurst Park crowd roared. Milivojevic stepped forward but Ederson kept out his spot-kick, saving with his legs as the Serb aimed down the centre of the goal.
City set off on a fluent counter-attack but the momentum ended with both Kevin de Bruyne and Jason Puncheon carried off injured.
Roy Hodgson and Pep Guardiola sat together chatting as their players received treatment. To lose De Bruyne for an extended time would have repercussions on City's march on four fronts beyond this game.
Crystal Palace can take enormous credit to go with another precious point towards their survival campaign.
Roy Hodgson's arrival has been transformational. They were organised and committed and repelled everything City could throw their way.
Wayne Hennessey, back in goal for the first time in a month, made some splendid saves while James Tomkins and Martin Kelly, who came on in the first-half for Scott Dann, were pillars of strength in central defence.
Everyone contributed as everyone must to stop this free-spirited City team. Palace were the first to stop them scoring in the Premier League since Manchester United in April.
This will provide a warm glow for Hodgson as the 70-year-old toasts the New Year and prepares to face Southampton on Tuesday.
As the Palace boss promised, his team did not set out to sit back and defend, although, ultimately, that is what they had to do.
Wilfried Zaha was deployed in a slightly deeper and wider role to reinforce the midfield, rather than up front in support of Christian Benteke, but they produced a positive opening period, with elements of threat.
A mix-up between Eliaquim Mangala and goalkeeper Ederson gave Benteke a brief glimpse of goal from an angle.
Mangala recovered in time to make a block at the expense of a corner and Ederson produced a flying save to turn a deflected volley from Patrick van Aanholt wide.
The game's healthy tempo was halted by two injuries midway through the first-half.
Palace captain Dann suffered what appeared to be a serious injury while fouling Kevin de Bruyne to ensure the Belgian did not reach the penalty area on the counter-attack.
Dann was booked and carried off with his right leg in a brace, taken straight to an ambulance without calling at the dressing room.
Gabriel Jesus was next to leave having earlier required treatment after twisting awkwardly under a challenge from Andros Townsend.
Jesus continued and forced a save from Wayne Hennessey before limping off to be replaced by Sergio Aguero who almost scored with his first effort.
Aguero's shot from distance clipped Jairo Riedewald on the heel and looped over goalkeeper Hennessey before striking a post.
City were firmly in control by this stage, with Palace's front-three doing their best to scavenge something from what little possession they could acquire.
Wilfried Zaha was dangerous but City's ability to win the ball in advanced areas limited his influence.
Daily Mail
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