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 1-2 Man City
59 mins: De Bruyne attempts to whip a shot in with his right foot but doesn’t get the curl on the ball to bring it inside of the far post and the effort sails wide.
City have gained more control on the left side after replacing Gvardiol at half-time.
Crystal Palace 1-2 Man City
56 mins: Haaland is slipped the ball in the box and goes around the goalkeeper. He’s forced wide and sends the ball back to Julian Alvarez who shoots first time.
Joachim Andersen is sprawled on the ground after an attempt to take the ball off Haaland but Alvarez’s shot hits him and deflects out for a corner.
The corner ball is sent out to Jack Grealish. He takes a touch and smokes his effort over the crossbar.
Crystal Palace 1-2 Man City
53 mins: Palace haven’t settled into the second half yet. City’s goal was just what they didn’t want to happen but now they’ll need to respond.
City are looking to control possession, dominate the midfield battle and get runners in the channels.
Crystal Palace 1-2 Man City
50 mins: As it stands only goal difference is keeping Man City behind Liverpool in the table. Pep Guardiola will want his team to add another couple now that they’re in front.
The next goal will be important, if Palace can score it then they’ll be able to fight until the end of the game. If not, City could dominate and run away with things as they did against Aston Villa.
GOAL! Crystal Palace 1-2 Man City (Lewis, 47’)⚽️
47 mins: Manuel Akanji drives the ball forward and slips a pass out to Jack Grealish on the left wing. He chips the ball into the box where Joachim Andersen looks to nod it on.
He only manages to turn the ball to Rico Lewis who controls it then slots his effort into the bottom corner!
Second half! Crystal Palace 1-1 Man City
Pep Guardiola is bringing Manuel Akanji on for Josko Gvardiol at the start of the second half. As it stands City will move two points behind Liverpool who face Man Utd tomorrow.
The visitors get the match back underway.
HT Crystal Palace 1-1 Man City
Manchester City’s 76% possession only yielded nine chances for them in the opening 45 minutes though five of those were on target and Dean Henderson was called into action.
In comparison, Palace’s three attempts only had one on target which Mateta slotted home early on.
HT Crystal Palace 1-1 Man City
Only Cole Palmer (17) and Darwin Núñez (15) have been involved in more goals in all competitions in 2024 (among Premier League players) than Kevin De Bruyne (14 - 3 goals, 11 assists).
HT Crystal Palace 1-1 Man City
Half-time! Crystal Palace 1-1 Man City
45+3 mins: Well that half flew by.
Jean-Philippe Mateta’s opener was scored inside four minutes before a wonderfully strike from Kevin De Bruyne brought the equaliser.
Both City and Palace have had chances to score again with this match moving at a rapid tempo. It’s anyone’s game in the second half.
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