- Kevin De Bruyne pulled the strings as Man City claimed victory at Selhurst Park
- Pep Guardiola’s side recovered from a lacklustre first half to beat Crystal Palace
- Everton’s winless run is a DISGRACE… they owe the fans a performance against Burnley – It’s All Kicking Off podcast
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 Man City defeated Crystal Palace.
The Eagles successfully frustrated Pep Guardiola‘s side in the reverse fixture back in November and looked set to do the same at Selhurst Park when Jean-Philippe Mateta fired them in front after just three minutes.
In a campaign hampered by injury De Bruyne has had limited opportunities to display his inspired best but he wasted little time making his mark on Saturday, equalising with a sublime finish on 13 minutes.
Palace defended resolutely before the interval, but the champions turned on the gas following the restart with goals from Rico Lewis, Erling Haaland and second for De Bruyne that marked his 100th in a City shirt before Odsonne Edouard’s consolation.
Here, Mail Sport’s Jack Gaughan has given his expert player ratings from Selhurst Park.
Kevin De Bruyne produced a magnificent display as Manchester City defeated Crystal Palace
Crystal Palace took an early lead but City demonstrated their quality with a dominant display
MANCHESTER CITY (3-2-4-1)
Stefan Ortega – 6.5
A Cruyff turn for the ages inside his own box when City were under intense pressure. Owns huge composure.
John Stones – 6
Looked like a man who’d been out for a while. Very rusty. Became more solid after half-time.
Ruben Dias – 6.5
Often the spare man in possession. Some good moments, some bad but defensively strong against Jean-Philippe Mateta.
Josko Gvardiol – 5
Really struggled when met one-on-one with a willing runner. Hooked at the break while on a booking.
Stefan Ortega proved he is ice cold with the ball at his feet with an excellent piece of skill
Josko Gvardiol failed to assert himself in the first-half before being replaced by Manuel Akanji
Rico Lewis – 8
Measured performance, just as in midweek. Comfortable on the ball, good movement for the goal. A real asset.
Rodri – 6
A frighteningly poor first half; played in a daze. Gifted possession up countless times. Then great afterwards. A mixed bag.
Oscar Bobb – 7
Never looks out of place when called upon. Glides on the ball, clever decoy runs and intelligent pass selection.
Kevin De Bruyne – 9
Wonder goal made sure City hit straight back after the early opener. And later thumped in a second later to wrap the game up and got an assist.
Julian Alvarez – 7
His best work was off the ball. Offers that element of confusing defenders in tricky spaces. End product not his best.
Rodri looked entirely off the pace in midfield during the first 45 but improved after the interval
In a season disrupted by injury, Kevin De Bruyne was back to his best at Selhurst Park
Industrious and efficient on the left flank, Jack Grealish was unfortunate not to score
Jack Grealish – 8
Very smart move in taking three Palace defenders out of the game for De Bruyne’s equaliser. Efficient on the left.
Erling Haaland – 7
Missed out before half-time when thwarted excellently by Dean Henderson but decent poacher’s finish to net City’s third.
Subs
Manuel Akanji (for Gvardiol, 46) – 7
Matheus Nunes (for Alvarez, 74) – 6
Mateo Kovacic (for Rodri, 74) – 6
Bernardo Silva (for De Bruyne, 90)
CRYSTAL PALACE (3-4-3)
Henderson 7; Ward 6, Andersen 6.5, Lerma 6.5; Munoz 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)
