“He let his team down”- Alan Shearer blasts Crystal Palace star after nightmare performance at the Etihad stadium

“He let his team down”- Alan Shearer blasts Crystal Palace star after nightmare performance at the Etihad stadium

Alan Shearer has slammed a Crystal Palace player following what he described as a “nightmare display” during the club’s heavy defeat at the Etihad Stadium against Manchester City.

The Premier League legend did not hold back in his post-match assessment, criticising the player’s positioning, defensive awareness and overall contribution during a difficult evening for Oliver Glasner’s side. Palace struggled throughout large parts of the game as City dominated possession, created chance after chance and exposed defensive weaknesses repeatedly.

Speaking after the match, Shearer suggested the player “let the team down” in a performance that lacked composure and concentration against one of the league’s strongest attacking sides. The former England captain pointed out that mistakes at the Etihad are usually punished instantly — and that proved to be the case once again.

Crystal Palace came into the match hoping to frustrate Pep Guardiola’s side and potentially steal points on the counterattack, but City’s relentless pressure made life extremely difficult from the opening whistle. Palace’s defensive line was repeatedly dragged out of shape, with City’s movement and quick passing causing constant problems.

Shearer particularly highlighted the player’s inability to track runners and deal with one-on-one situations, insisting that top-level Premier League matches demand much higher standards defensively. He argued that individual lapses in concentration ultimately damaged Palace’s chances of staying competitive in the contest.

The pundit also praised Manchester City’s ruthless quality, noting how quickly they capitalised on every error. According to Shearer, City’s intensity and movement turned Palace’s mistakes into goals and completely shifted the momentum of the match.

Despite the criticism, Shearer acknowledged that playing away at the Etihad Stadium remains one of the toughest tasks in English football. However, he maintained that Palace players still have to show discipline, organisation and resilience regardless of the opposition.

The defeat leaves Palace with plenty to reflect on as they look to bounce back in their next Premier League fixture, while Manchester City continue pushing strongly in their pursuit of silverware this season.