Pep Guardiola's side battled back from two goals down to claim what could be a vital 5-2 win that saw them climb to fourth in the table
Kevin De Bruyne rolled back the years to produce an inspirational performance that keeps Manchester City in the hunt for a top-five finish – the departing veteran midfielder scoring, claiming an assist and generally running the show to help his side recover from the shock of going 2-0 down to secure an ultimately emphatic comeback win.
Palace would stun the Etihad into silence after just six minutes as City's back four completely switched off to allow Ismaila Sarr to break free on the right – the Senegalese forward squaring across the box for Eberechi Eze to tap into an empty net.
The hosts almost hit back immediately via Omar Marmoush – Dean Henderson thwarting the Egyptian from close range as VAR swiftly dismissed an incredulous Pep Guardiola's protestations that his side should've had a penalty for a foul by Chris Richards.
Palace then took advantage of more shoddy City defending and added to their tally of 2024-25 set-piece goals – which now stands at a Premier League-high 14 – to make it 2-0 after 21 minutes. USMNT international Richards nodding home as Ederson made a mess of attempting to punch clear following Adam Wharton's whipped-in corner from the right.
De Bruyne struck a post as City looked to fight back in what was proving a wretched first-half for Guardiola's men before two more chances for Palace saw Sarr smash over and Eze have a goal ruled out for offside. The visitors would pay dearly for not going three up in a mad three minutes that first saw De Bruyne catch out Henderson with a clever free-kick that bounced in off the post and then Marmoush levelled things up on 36 minutes, smashing home a bouncing ball in the box following De Bruyne's header back into the danger zone.
City came flying out of the blocks after the restart and would go ahead for the first time in the game as more De Bruyne magic saw him tee up Kovacic for 3-2, before James McAtee also got in on the act, rounding Henderson after Ederson's long pass exploited Palace's high line and put him through on goal.
Oliver Glasner's men offered little threat from that point onwards, with City adding their fifth goal after 79 minutes via a deflected volley from Nico O'Reilly to keep their quest for Champions League football next season on track.
GOAL rates Man City's players from the Etihad Stadium…
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Ederson (6/10):
Pathetic attempt at a punch cost his side for Palace's second goal but redeemed himself somewhat with a fabulous assist for McAtee. Taken off after 70 minutes with a groin issue.
Rico Lewis (5/10):
Was nowhere to be seen as Eze tapped home at the far post and it seemed he was under instruction not to get forward too much, understandably given Palace's threat on the counter. Might've given away a late penalty for a clumsy handball.
Ruben Dias (3/10):
A nightmare first half. Was sleeping as Palace punished City's high line for Eze's goal and then reacted too late to allow Richards the easy task of nodding home for 2-0.
Josko Gvardiol (5/10):
Slow to react to Sarr escaping free for the Eze opener and caught under the ball as Lacroix eased him out of the way for the second. Improved in the second half as Palace's threat faded.
Nico O'Reilly (7/10):
Was getting little help as Palace exploited his side of the pitch in the first half but played a part in Kovacic's goal and then scored his first in the Premier League with an assured finish.
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Nico Gonzalez (7/10):
Hardly put a foot wrong after City's early struggles, keeping things ticking over and helping mop up defensively, too.
Mateo Kovacic (8/10):
Smacked home City's crucial third goal in an all-action performance that saw him cover a lot of ground over the 90 minutes.
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James McAtee (7/10):
Wayward with his finishing at times but his cross for De Bruyne helped cause havoc for the equaliser and then he got his goal by coolly rounding Henderson.
Ilkay Gundogan (7/10):
He improved as City started to rack up the goals and he hardly gave the ball away all game. Will get the assist for Marmoush's goal, albeit he didn't know much about it.
Kevin De Bruyne (9/10):
Vintage De Bruyne. City needed their captain after their horrendous opening half hour and he stepped up and delivered. A goal, an assist and easily the best player on the pitch.
Omar Marmoush (7/10):
Denied by a big save from Henderson early doors but showed his predatory instincts in the box to smash home City's second goal. Should've added to his tally after De Bruyne put it on a plate for him.
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Stefan Ortega (6/10):
Had literally nothing to do after replacing Ederson for the final 20 minutes, save for a few passes out from the back.
Oscar Bobb (N/A):
A late replacement for Marmoush as he continues his comeback from an injury-ravaged season.
Savinho (N/A):
On for the final 10 minutes.
Jeremy Doku (N/A):
On for De Bruyne to allow the Belgian assist king the standing ovation his performance deserved.
Jack Grealish (N/A):
Replaced Kovacic for the final few minutes.
Pep Guardiola (7/10):
As much as he'll be furious at his side's slow start he'll have been hugely encouraged by the way they reacted, with City eventually getting their act together – likely after some choice words from their manager at the break.
