SOUL OF SPORT: Goals galore as Manchester City keep their Premier League title bid on track with thrilling victory against Crystal Palace… with ANDY HOOPER on hand to capture the best of the action

A steward cleaned the seats at Selhurst Park in the calm before the storm, and Manchester City later beat Crystal Palace.

Jack Grealish got a start for the champions on the left wing and proved to be a constant threat on Saturday lunchtime.

A young mascot took Palace captain Joel Ward by the hand before emerging from the tunnel alongside both teams.

A family of five took their seats in City’s away field, each sporting their own personalized City shirt.

Grealish couldn’t help but laugh after wasting a chance, although he was directly involved in two of City’s goals.

Pep Guardiola squatted on the touchline before City steadied the ship and claimed a priceless victory.

Will Hughes and Julian Alvarez (right) battled in midfield, with City eventually taking control and dominating the home team.

A young City fan brought a homemade sign to the ground that read: “It’s my birthday, can we score seven goals?”

A fan high-fived Palace mascot Alice the Eagle before entering the famous stadium.

A Palace fan dressed in his club’s away shirt sat down with a pint in a takeaway glass in one of the local pubs

A small crowd gathered around the City bus after it arrived at the ground, and the players streamed through the gates.

Manchester United and England legend Rio Ferdinand, now a pundit, signed autographs before beginning his broadcast duties.

Guardiola spent a quiet moment alone on the bench before kick-off and then came in to give his pre-match talk.

Palace goalkeeper Dean Henderson jumped to his left to make a complete save to prevent Palace from sending another.

City fans were jubilant at the final whistle and their victory ensured they remained at the center of an exciting title fight.