Crystal Palace 2-4 Man City: Kevin de Bruyne shines as defending champions maintain title challenge
[ad_1]
![Kevin de Bruyne celebrates against Crystal Palace](https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/onesport/cps/624/cpsprodpb/A94B/production/_133093334_gettyimages-2143304521.jpg)
Manchester City continued their title challenge with ruthlessness as “incredible Kevin de Bruyne”, scored his 100th goal in a comeback against Crystal Palace.
In a thrilling encounter, Palace stunned City by scoring early with Jean-Philippe Mateta before De Bruyne scored a wonderful goal to bring the visitors level.
Mateta sprinted on to an Adam Wharton pass and slid the ball into the far corner only three minutes later as the crowd at Selhurst Park erupted in noise.
De Bruyne scored a stunning equaliser 10 minutes later. Pep Guardiola, who played a starring part in the rest of the match, credited his “incredible qualities” for their victory.
Guardiola said to BBC Sport: “He has been our best player for many years.”
“What he’s done in England is unbelievable.” Many goals, assists, and consistency. We were without him for four or five months and now need him at season’s end.
“I think he loves to score goals, but I’m not sure if he likes it more when he makes an assist. He is so generous – but it’s important that he continues.”
The Palace side of Oliver Glasner showed a lot of attacking potential, but were undone by the second half.
After making a crucial stop earlier to deny Erling haaland the chance to finish off a clever De Bruyne ball, Palace goalkeeper Dean Henderson could not block Rico Lewis’ strike within two minute of the second-half.
De Bruyne then teed up Haaland and this time the Norwegian struckr finished. The Belgian then added a fourth – marking his 100th goal for City since joining in 2015.
Odsonne Edward scored a late goal to give Palace a consolation, but it was yet another important victory for Guardiola in the enthralling race for the title.
City has now reached the same point total as Liverpool, which visits Manchester United this Sunday. Arsenal leads the table by one point after Brighton’s 3-0 victory at Brighton.
Foden rested; De Bruyne stepped up for City
Guardiola made changes to his City team in preparation for Tuesday’s Champions League quarter final match against Real Madrid. Phil Foden was dropped to the sidelines just days after scoring three goals in a Champions League match. Aston Villa defeated by 4-1.
De Bruyne, Haaland and others joined the City team and helped them to a fourth consecutive league title.
Palace, which is still adjusting to the new boss Glasner’s style, showed a lot of positive signs during the first half. Their defensive resilience and organization kept the visitors in check.
Edouard, who was in fine form, came close to scoring before he snuck home a goal from close range four minutes before time.
Glasner said: “I was not satisfied with our performance but I saw a lot of positive things.”
“When we lost 4-2, I didn’t like to mention positive things. But, in certain phases of a game, we could have competed.” It shows that we can create chances, but when you concede four goals you lose.
City won the game and while Guardiola rested Foden and Bernardo Silva De Bruyne showed his talent and scored his first goal in a season plagued by injuries.
John Stones, who was injured while on England duty, returned to the match and played the entire match.
Palace has been a tough opponent in the past for City – they came back from a 2-0 deficit to draw 2-2 in December at the Etihad – so this victory was vital for Guardiola’s team to keep up pressure on their opponents.
![](https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/images/ic/96x96/p0796142.png)
Player of the match
De BruyneKevin De Bruyne
Crystal Palace
-
Squad number30Player nameHenderson
-
Squad number14Player nameMateta
-
Squad number20Player nameA Wharton
-
Squad number7Player nameOlise
-
Squad number22Player nameÃdouard
-
Squad number9Player nameJ Ayew
-
Squad number2Player nameWard
-
Squad number10Player nameEze
-
Squad number12Player nameMuñoz
-
Squad number8Player nameLerma
-
Squad number16Player nameAndersen
-
Squad number15Player nameSchlupp
-
Squad number19Player nameHughes
-
Squad number3Player nameMitchell
-
Squad number29Player nameAhamada
-
Squad number17Player nameClyne
Line-ups
Crystal Palace
The Formation of a New Company 3-4-3
- 30Henderson
- 2Ward
- 16Andersen
- 8Lerma
- 12Muñoz
- 20A Wharton
- 19HughesSubstituted ForAhamadaYou can also check out our other articles. 82′Minutes
- 3MitchellSubstitute forClynePlease see below for more information. 75′Minutes
- 10EzeSubstitute forSchluppIt is worth mentioning that 64′Minutes
- 14MatetaBooked at 62minsSubstitute forÃdouardYou can also check out our other articles. 74′Minutes
- 9J AyewSubstitute forOliseAt least one of the following: 74′Minutes
Substitutes
- 5Tomkins
- 7Olise
- 15Schlupp
- 17Clyne
- 22Ãdouard
- 29Ahamada
- 31Matthews
- 52Ozoh
- 55Umeh-Chibueze
Man City
The Formation of a New Company 3-2-4-1
- 18Ortega
- 3Rúben Dias
- 24GvardiolBooked within 45 minutesSubstituted ForAkanjiYou can also check out our other articles. 45′Minutes
- 5Stones
- 16RodriSubstituted ForKovacicYou can also check out our other articles. 74′Minutes
- 19ÃlvarezSubstitute forNunesIt is worth mentioning that 74′Minutes
- 17De BruyneSubstitute forBernardo SilvaPlease see below for more information. 90+3′Minutes
- 82Lewis
- 9Haaland
- 52Bobb
- 10Grealish
Substitutes
- 8Kovacic
- 11Doku
- 20Bernardo Silva
- 21Gómez
- 25Akanji
- 27Nunes
- 31Ederson
- 47Foden
- 76Susoho
- Referee:
- Paul Tierney
- Attendance:
- 25,132
Live Text
-
Match ends with Crystal Palace 2, Manchester City 4
-
Second Half ends with Crystal Palace 2, Manchester City 4
-
Attempt missed. Jack Grealish’s right-footed shot from left side of box is high and wide right. Matheus Nunes assisted.
-
Bernardo Silva (Manchester City), wins a free-kick in the attacking quarter.
-
Joel Ward (Crystal Palace), foul.
-
Delay has been over. They are ready to go.
-
Jefferson Lerma of Crystal Palace (injured) has been forced to delay the match.
-
Rico Lewis (Manchester City), wins a free-kick in the defensive quarter.
-
Foul by Naouirou hamada (Crystal Palace).
-
Manchester City Substitution. Bernardo Silva replaces Kevin De Bruyne.
-
Corner, Manchester City. Jefferson Lerma is responsible for the conceded goal.
-
Attempt saved. Naouirou Alhamada, Crystal Palace) right footed shoot from the left corner of the box saves in the center of the goal. Michael Olise assisted.
-
Corner, Crystal Palace Oscar Bobb conceded the goal.
-
Goal! Crystal Palace 2, Manchester City 4 Odsonne Ãdouard (Crystal Palace) right footed shot from very close range to the centre of the goal. Jeffrey Schlupp assisted with a cross.
-
Rúben Dias (Manchester City) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
-
Foul by Odsonne Ãdouard (Crystal Palace).
-
Rico Lewis (Manchester City), who wins a right-wing free kick.
-
Foul by Jefferson Lerma, Crystal Palace
-
Manuel Akanji (Manchester City), wins a penalty kick in the half-time.
-
Michael Olise of Crystal Palace is fouled.
[ad_2]