Few gave Crystal Palace a chance to pick up anything at Manchester City on the weekend, but they came back to London with a point they thoroughly deserved.
Fernandinho’s stoppage time own goal, brought on by a wicked Wilfried Zaha cross, drew the sides level after a late Segio Aguero brace that had seemingly turned the tie around after Cenk Tosun’s first half opener.
Pep Guardiola’s side unsurprisingly dominated proceedings at The Etihad.
With 75% possession, 25 shots to Palace’s five, theoretically the Eagles had no right to a point.
But, similar to last season’s heroics when they unforgettably won 3-2, it was the defensive effort that was the foundation of the unlikely result at the current Champions.
Martin Kelly and Jairo Reidewald weren’t near the starting XI at the start of the season, but with injuries to Patrick van Aanholt, Jeffrey Schlupp and Joel Ward, both have impressed.
As surprising and impressive as they’ve been however, it’s the centre back pairing which set the tone for Palace at City.
James Tomkins took the armband in Luka Milivojevic’s absence and looked every inch the leader.
Alongside him was another man who’s no stranger to wearing an armband in Gary Cahill, having led Chelsea in his final season with Blues.
It was the blossoming partnership of the two which rightly had both Roy Hodgson and Pep Guardiola feeling why the points were shared.
And many of the Palace faithful are in agreement.
I’m gonna put it out their, I actually think palace best signing in last 7 years has been tomkins what a player what a man 👏🏻👏🏻 £10million? Bargain hunting at its best #cpfc
— bigz (@bigz__17) January 19, 2020
Cahill and Tomkins 💯 👏🏻 without a doubt the best centre half pairing we have. 🧱 💪🏻 #CPFC 🦅
— Danny Algar (@GIV_Us_a_Kissyy) January 18, 2020
What a great result , so many injuries and to put in that kind of performance against the champions. Happy for Tosun to score , Cahill & Tomkins superb #cpfc
— 🥁 Daniel 🥁 (@DanCpfcFan) January 18, 2020
Tosun's link up play with Ayew and Zaha was fantastic. Tomkins and Cahill were amazing. The two JM's were awesome too. Big point! #cpfc
— Jack (@ItsJackLaws) January 18, 2020
Another solid performance. The partnership between him & Cahill must make some clubs envious #CPFC #Youknowitstrue 🔴🔵
— Jason James morey (@morey28) January 19, 2020
Cahill is literally solid for palace . I wonder if Lampard was in charge when they Chelsea let him go , if he would of ? #CFC #CPFC
— Max Tillson (@MaxTillson) January 18, 2020
Riedewald inexperience cost us today ~ but a fair result in the end ~ Tosun and Cahill were excellent ~ fantastic point and lots of character #CPFC
— Gary Spencer (@garyspencerr) January 18, 2020
Tomkins and Cahill the most underrated centre half partnership in the prem absolute rocks, leaders and put their bodies in front of everything class!
— Adam Daubeney (@AdamDaubeney) January 19, 2020
If dann or sakho. Go in the summer sorry I'd have the money. Cahill and tomkins are great together. Then hopefully buy some younger better options
— Ben Hopkins (@benh199225) January 18, 2020
Cahill and Tomkins ❤💙❤💙
— Suzanne CPFC (@Suzb04) January 18, 2020
Cahill and Tomkins are England national team quality don’t @ me, not having these frauds like Mings and Stones in the squad
— Jay Rodrigues (@RodriguesJayJay) January 18, 2020
Love Gary Cahill and he and Tomkins are now one of the very best central defensive pairings in the Premier League ❤️💙👌
— neil ogilvie (@neiog) January 18, 2020
Gary Cahill and James Tomkins, absolutely outstanding again
— Joe🦅 (@joe_cpfc_01) January 18, 2020
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