Manchester City continued their title challenge with ruthlessness as “incredible Kevin de Bruyne”, scored his 100th goal in a comeback against Crystal Palace.

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.

Player of the match

De BruyneKevin De Bruyne

Crystal Palace

1. Squad number30Player nameHenderson

2. Squad number14Player nameMateta

3. Squad number20Player nameA Wharton

4. Squad number7Player nameOlise

5. Squad number22Player nameÉdouard

6. Squad number9Player nameJ Ayew

7. Squad number2Player nameWard

8. Squad number10Player nameEze

9. Squad number12Player nameMuñoz

10. Squad number8Player nameLerma

11. Squad number16Player nameAndersen

12. Squad number15Player nameSchlupp

13. Squad number19Player nameHughes

14. Squad number3Player nameMitchell

15. Squad number29Player nameAhamada

16. Squad number17Player nameClyne