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

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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:

Premier League: Crystal Palace v Man City

• Kevin De Bruyne provides timely reminder of his quality as Man City win builds pressure on title rivals
• Manchester City defeat Crystal Palace 4-2 away from home in the Premier League
• 86’ GOAL! - Edouard pulls a goal back for Palace (CRY 2-4 MCI)
• 70’ GOAL! - De Bruyne makes it four for City (CRY 1-4 MCI)
• 66’ GOAL! - Haaland turns in De Bruyne’s squared pass (CRY 1-3 MCI)
• 47’ GOAL! - Lewis sends City ahead (CRY 1-2 MCI)
• 37’ CROSSBAR! - Ayew hits the woodwork after taking the ball off Rodri (CRY 1-1 MCI)
• 13’ GOAL! - De Bruyne smokes in the equaliser (CRY 1-1 MCI)
• 11’ SAVE! - Henderson denies Rodri with leaping stop (CRY 1-0 MCI)
• 4’ GOAL! - Mateta finishes off fine counter attack (CRY 1-0 MCI)

[6 April 2024 12:49 · Mike Jones]

Crystal Palace 1-1 Man City

16 mins: That was a special shot from De Bruyne who looks to have the bit between his teeth today. He’s been all over the pitch already slotting in balls, creating chances and now firing in the equaliser.

Can Palace respond?

[6 April 2024 12:46 · Mike Jones]

GOAL! Crystal Palace 1-1 Man City (De Bruyne, 13’)⚽️

13 mins: Oh my god!

What a strike this is. City have been pushing and pushing for the goal. It’s come from a world class shot from Kevin De Bruyne. Jack Grealish takes the ball down the left wing and slips a pass into the penalty area for De Bruyne.

The midfielder checks to the right and rattles a swerving and powerful effort into the far top corner. Dean Henderson had no chance of stopping that.

[6 April 2024 12:43 · Mike Jones]

Crystal Palace 1-0 Man City

11 mins: City are pushing forward and penning Palace into their own final third. Oscar Bobb weaves into the right side of the box and slips the ball to Julian Alvarez. He shoots but the effort is blocked.

Save!

The ball deflects to Rodri who stretches and pings a shot towards the bottom corner. It’s bobbling and spinning away from Dean Henderson but the goalkeeper leaps to his left and tips the ball wide of the post!

Big moment.

[6 April 2024 12:39 · Mike Jones]

Crystal Palace 1-0 Man City

8 mins: Chance!

Palace overload City in midfield with Adam Wharton regaining possession. Palace fly forward and have a four-on-two advantage though Wharton’s pass out to the left is shocking and he gives the ball away.

That was an opportunity for Palace.

[6 April 2024 12:38 · Mike Jones]

Crystal Palace 1-0 Man City

7 mins: Manchester City won’t panic, even with the title race being as close as it currently is. The added pressure may make the visitors more aware of the fact they now need to score though.

Kevin De Bruyne floats a couple of balls into the box but Palace deal with them easily enough.

[6 April 2024 12:36 · Mike Jones]

GOAL! Crystal Palace 1-0 Man City (Mateta, 4’)⚽️

4 mins: Clinical!

Crystal Palace are giving the ball after a poor pass from John Stones. Two quick passes, one from Adam Wharton sends Jean-Philippe Mateta into space to the right of the centre-backs.

The forward counter attacks and drives into the box. He glances up and slots his shot across goal where the ball strikes the inside of the far post and finishes in the back of the net!

Huge shock early in this match.

[6 April 2024 12:33 · Mike Jones]

Crystal Palace 0-0 Man City

3 mins: Oscar Bobb nicks back possession in the middle of the pitch and slips the ball to Rodri. He threads a pass into the right side of the box for Kevin De Bruyne who’s earlier cross is defelcted out for a corner.

De Bruyne’s delivery sees the ball swung over towards Erling Haaland but Joachim Andersen leaps above him and heads the ball clear.

[6 April 2024 12:32 · Mike Jones]

Kick off! Crystal Palace 0-0 Man City

The Eagles get the ball rolling for this early kick off and float the ball over to the right side of the pitch. Man City gain possession and slot is back to Ruben Dias as Palace drop back into a solid defensive shape.

[6 April 2024 12:26 · Mike Jones]

Crystal Palace vs Man City

Here come the teams.

The players make their way out onto the pitch at Selhurst Park. Manchester City are the overwhelming favourites to win this game and draw level on points with league leaders Liverpool.

City could possibly end the day at the top of the table and they’ll be hoping to build off the back of their win over Aston Villa. Crystal Palace meanwhile will be aiming to cause an upset, if they can score first they’ll be right in the contest.

Kick off is up next...

[6 April 2024 12:25 · Mike Jones]

Crystal Palace vs Man City

Kevin De Bruyne is two short of 100 goals for Manchester City in all competitions, and is set to become the seventh player to make 250 Premier League appearances for the club.

(Action Images via Reuters)