Crystal Palace manager Alan Pardew issues warning to Manchester City
Saturday 4 April 2015 23:12, UK
Alan Pardew has warned Manchester City that Crystal Palace are ready to beat a side from the Premier League's top four.
Palace host City - who slipped to fourth in the division as a result of Manchester United’s 3-1 win over Aston Villa - on Monday night and bid for a fourth win in five league matches.
The game will provide a measure of the progress Palace have made under Pardew and similar stern tests are to come, with the south London club still to play four of the league’s top five teams.
"One of the important games this season was against Arsenal when we tried to compete with them toe to toe and gave a very good account of ourselves against a top team," Pardew said.
"We have done very well against the teams that are in and around us and played well in those games.
"Against the top teams - Southampton, Liverpool, Arsenal - we have been really close without toppling any of them.
"So that is the next step for me and we have a great opportunity because we also have Man United as well as City at home and Chelsea and Liverpool away.
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"One of those games I would like to think we can win."
Palace were well beaten at the Etihad Stadium, going down 3-0 in December, but Pardew is optimistic his players can give a better account of themselves against the reigning champions this weekend.
"We will go on Monday night expecting to take the game to Man City," Pardew added.
"I don't expect to beat them but I do expect us to push Man City and if we get ourselves in front this team could see it out.
"If we get to 15 minutes to go and are still leading, this team is one of the few that could see Man City off."
Watch Crystal Palace v Manchester City live on Sky Sports 1 at 8pm on Easter Monday.
