Table of Contents
- Kevin De Bruyne pulled the strings as Man City claim victory at Selhurst Park
- Pep Guardiola’s team recovered from a mediocre first half and beat Crystal Palace
- Everton’s winless streak is a SHAME… they owe the fans a performance against Burnley – everything is beginning podcast
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Just days after being left out of the club’s clash with Aston Villa, Kevin De Bruyne offered a timely reminder of his ability as Manchester City defeated Crystal Palace.
The Eagles successfully frustrated Pep Guardiola’s side in the first leg in November and looked set to do the same at Selhurst Park when Jean-Philippe Mateta put them ahead after just three minutes.
In a campaign limited by injury, De Bruyne has had few opportunities to be his inspired best, but he wasted no time in making his mark on Saturday, equalizing with a sublime finish in the 13th minute.
Palace defended resolutely before the break, but the champions pressed the accelerator after the restart with goals from Rico Lewis, Erling Haaland and the second from De Bruyne who marked his 100th in a City shirt before Odsonne Edouard’s consolation.
Here, Mail Sport’s Jack Gaughan has given his Selhurst Park expert player ratings.
Kevin De Bruyne put in a magnificent performance as Manchester City defeated Crystal Palace
Crystal Palace took an early lead but City showed their quality with a dominant performance in the second half.
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MANCHESTER CITY (3-2-4-1)
Stefan Ortega – 6.5
A Cruyff turn for good inside his own area when City were under intense pressure. He has great composure.
John stones – 6
He looked like a man who had been away for a while. Very rusty. After the break he became more solid.
Rubén Días – 6.5
Often the surplus man is in possession. Some good moments, some bad, but defensively strong against Jean-Philippe Mateta.
Josko Gvardiol – 5
I really struggled when I met one-on-one with a willing runner. Hooked on the break during a reservation.
Stefan Ortega showed that he is ice cold with the ball at his feet with excellent ability to deny Mateta
Josko Gvardiol failed to prevail in the first half before being replaced by Manuel Akanji.
Rico Lewis – 8
Measured performance, same as midweek. Comfortable with the ball, good movement towards the goal. A real asset.
Rodri – 6
A terribly poor first half; He played in a daze. Possession gifted on countless occasions. Then great afterwards. A mix of things.
Oscar Bobb – 7
He never seems out of place when called upon. Slides on the ball, clever decoy runs and intelligent pass selection.
Kevin De Bruyne – 9
A wonder goal ensured City hit back after the opener. And then he came on a second later to finish the game and got an assist.
Julián Álvarez – 7
His best work was without the ball. It offers that element of confusing defenders in difficult spaces. The final product is not the best.
Rodri seemed completely off the pace in midfield for the first 45, but improved after the break.
In a campaign cut short by injury, Kevin De Bruyne returned to his talismanic best at Selhurst Park
Hardworking and efficient on the left flank, Jack Grealish was unlucky not to score.
Jack Grealish – 8
Very clever play to take three Palace defenders out of the game for De Bruyne to equalise. Efficient on the left.
Erling Haaland – 7
He was lost before the break when Dean Henderson excellently thwarted him, but a decent poacher scored City’s third.
Subs
Manuel Akanji (for Gvardiol, 46) – 7
Matheus Nunes (for Álvarez, 74) – 6
Matthew Kovacic (for Rodri, 74) – 6
Bernard Silva (for De Bruyne, 90)
CRYSTAL PALACE (3-4-3)
Henderson 7; District 6, Andersen 6.5, Lerma 6.5; Muñoz 6, Wharton 7.5, Hughes 5.5 (Ahamada 82), Mitchell 6 (Clyne 75); Ayew 6.5 (Olise 74, 6), Mateta 7 (Edouard 74, 7), Eze 6 (Schlupp 64, 7)