Crystal Palace v Man City LIVE: Premier League result and reaction as Kevin De Bruyne stars in win
Crystal Palace 2-4 Man City: De Bruyne scored twice as Rico Lewis and Erling Haaland also struck to swerve a banana skin in the title race
Manchester City struck first blood in the title race this weekend with a comprehensive 4-2 victory over Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park.
Heading into the gameweek in third place, City could not afford to drop points and suffered a shock as Jean-Philippe Mateta slotted home a wonderful finish to send Palace ahead inside four minutes.
Kevin De Bruyne, restored to City’s starting XI, decided to lead the response. He nipped in from the left wing and rocketed an equaliser into the back of net before half-time.
After the break, Rico Lewis put City ahead for the first time before De Bruyne set up Erling Haaland and added a fourth – his second – to make the visitors comfortable.
Odsonne Edouard came off the bench for Crystal Palace to poke home a late volley but by then the damage was done. Oliver Glasner will be pleased with the fight his team showed but Man City were too good to be stopped on the day.
Relive all the updates from Selhurst Park below:
Crystal Palace vs Man City
Eberechi Eze’s five goals in eight home games this term is the highest figure by an Englishman for Palace since Andrew Johnson netted 11 in 2004-05.
Crystal Palace vs Man City
Erling Haaland has failed to score in four consecutive Premier League away games, his longest such run since joining City.
Crystal Palace vs Man City
Oliver Glasner’s side have won three of their last five Premier League home matches, having taken just one victory in their opening nine such fixtures this season.
The Eagles have scored 34 Premier League goals this season - only Everton, Burnley and Sheffield United have worse records.
Crystal Palace vs Man City
Phil Foden has scored nine Premier League goals in 2024, more than any other player. He starts on the bench today.
Crystal Palace vs Man City
Man City’s three league defeats this season have come on the road against Arsenal, Aston Villa and Wolves but they are unbeaten in 15 top-flight matches, winning 11 of them.
Crystal Palace vs Man City
Crystal Palace have earned just one victory in their last eight top-flight games (three draws, four defeats).
December’s draw with City is the only point the Londoners have accrued in seven league matches this season against teams currently in the top five of the table.
Crystal Palace vs Man City
Crystal Palace have failed to score in their last four Premier League home matches against Pep Guardiola’s side. Will the return of Michael Olise to the matchday squad change that today?
Crystal Palace vs Man City
Manchester City are unbeaten at Selhurst Park in their last eight league visits with six wins and two draws. The 2-2 draw at the Etihad Stadium earlier this season was the third time in five meetings Palace have avoided defeat against City.
Foden hitting good levels this season
“Before Crystal Palace all the season [he] had been good,” Pep Guardiola said about Phil Foden’s performances this season, “Not just that - when we talk about that he has learned the lesson.
“So, in the 18-yard box always is dangerous with a top opponent. We saw it last night with Chelsea and [Manchester] United. There you have to be careful, as much Phil learned and everyone - learn the lesson, it’s not a problem. It happens, it’s football and life.
“People do good things and mistakes is part of that but we learn for the future to not do it again.
“I think Phil since then has been good. After [the Palace game] we travelled to Saudi Arabia and he played two really good games in the semi-final and final.
“But before always I think Phil is at a good, good level this season.”
Crystal Palace vs Man City team changes
Oliver Glasner names an unchanged Crystal Palace side from the one that suffered defeated to Bournemouth on Tuesday but the big news is that Michael Olise returns to the squad after missing seven games.
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola makes four changes from Wednesday’s win over Aston Villa. Manuel Akanji, Jeremy Doku, Bernardo Silva and Phil Foden drop to the bench with John Stones, Kevin De Bruyne, Erling Haaland and Oscar Bobb coming into the side.
Ederson starts on the bench.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments