Match Report and Player Ratings: Manchester City 5-2 Crystal Palace (Premier League) | OneFootball

Manchester City took one step closer to a UEFA Champions League spot in the Premier League this season but not without an almighty test from Crystal Palace.

It was not even a case of a tale of two halves, but instead a story of an opening 21 minutes compared to the remaining chapters of the contest as a Kevin De Bruyne-inspired comeback saw Manchester City score five times and emerge as 5-2 victors at the Etihad Stadium.

Despite a relatively strong start from Pep Guardiola’s side, controlling possession and creating a number of openings, it was two swift attacks in transition that ultimately forced a 0-2 lead for the South London club.

Eberechi Eze tapped home from close range as Crystal Palace built from deep and sent a low ball across the face of Manchester City’s goal, evading a poor defensive shape and leaving the England international free from Rico Lewis at the back-post.

Then it was the turn of Chris Richards to convert from a straight forward corner-kick routine, as Adam Wharton’s ball into the Manchester City penalty area and on top of Ederson saw the Palace man rise highest to head down into the ground and double his side’s advantage.

Many would be left wondering how Manchester City would get to the half-time interval with the score only at two in favour of the visitors, before Kevin De Bruyne and Omar Marmoush would get the reigning Premier League champions level.

First was the turn of the Belgian club captain who converted expertly from a close-range free-kick leaving Dean Henderson wrong-footed, before Marmoush would strike from inside the area from an Ilkay Gundogan knock-down.

De Bruyne was at the centre of all of the magic once again immediately after the restart for the second-half, swivelling on a Nico O’Reilly cutback inside the penalty area to tee-off Mateo Kovacic, who made no mistake in striking home along the floor with power.

Then came more history for Manchester City, as Ederson further established his status as the all-time leading assist provider in the goalkeeping department in Premier League history by combining with James McAtee.

The England Under-21 international, who has been patient to wait for opportunities to excel under Guardiola this season, brought down the ball brilliantly from Ederson’s pitch-long pass before rounding Dean Henderson and sliding home into an empty net from the angle.

A goalscoring rush from Manchester City did not stop there, nor did it end for the club’s youth academy graduates as Nico O’Reilly – who is becoming an integral part of Guardiola’s defence – side-footed a volley from the edge of the penalty area beyond Henderson once more.

Kevin De Bruyne will rightly take the plaudits for his role at the tail-end of his Manchester City career, but it was a commendable showing from those on the pitch across the board at the Etihad Stadium to not panic at 0-2 behind and come back to claim all three points.

The win puts Manchester City back up to fourth position in their hunt for a top-five finish, albeit with their fellow challengers for the UEFA Champions League spots still to play across this weekend.

Next up is a visit to Everton at Goodison Park next weekend as the fixtures continue to pose a significant threat to Manchester City’s hunt for a European place, while an FA Cup semi-final also awaits later in the month.

Before then, and following an enthralling afternoon of action at the Etihad Stadium, here is how we rated the individual performances of the Manchester City players on show for Pep Guardiola!

Player Ratings

Starting XI

Ederson – 6.5

Some questionable defensive positioning perhaps for Crystal Palace’s two goals, but was largely faultless throughout the rest of the game, taking note of a trademark stellar assist for James McAtee. Injured and forced off, however.

Rico Lewis – 6

Having been in and out of the side lately, Lewis showed good composure on the ball and held a clear intent to bring Manchester City up the pitch when in possession. Some may point an element of blame in Rico Lewis’ direction for Eberechi Eze’s opener, leaving the forward unmarked inside the City penalty area.

Ruben Dias – 6

Resolute in his defending. Little to write home about, but strong and commanding as you would expect.

Josko Gvardiol – 6

More of the driving force alongside Ruben Dias, carrying the ball out from Manchester City’s defensive third and trying to find those in midfield and attack with his splitting passes.

Nico O’Reilly – 7

Another strong showing from a 20-year-old playing without any previous experience at left-back. His physicality, ball control, eye for a pass, and eye for a goal makes him a unique presence as a full-back, and no doubt a player Pep Guardiola can count on in future. Excellent finish for the fifth and final goal.

Nico – 6

Brought about an assuredness at the base of midfield. Largely faultless in turning the ball over and bringing City forward. Combined well with Mateo Kovacic and the defensive pairing in particular.

Mateo Kovacic – 6.5

A much better performance from the Croatian, in a season where he has been pretty strong overall. Excellent finish for his goal at a time when Manchester City needed to get a grip of the contest and get in front before Crystal Palace could themselves.

Ilkay Gundogan – 7

Similar tone to Kovacic in being a strong performance despite recent criticism. Ilkay Gundogan seems to be using his experience more and more lately, turning over the ball quicker and getting in more offensive areas, perhaps through Guardiola’s instruction.

Kevin De Bruyne (C) – 9, MOTM

Class is permanent. This was a Kevin De Bruyne showpiece; the exact sort of quality we have become accustomed to over the last decade. If Manchester City are to qualify for the UEFA Champions League or win the FA Cup in the remaining weeks, the outgoing club legend will be at the very centre of that output.

https://twitter.com/City_Xtra/status/1911051340802834672

James McAtee – 7.5

So many opportunity to convert and score perhaps around five goals on Saturday afternoon, but he finally got his strike and took it expertly with an outstanding first touch and showing the composure to round Dean Henderson and slot home. More of the same, and consistently, and he no doubt has a long career at Manchester City.

Omar Marmoush – 7.5

Where would we honestly be without Omar Marmoush’s forward presence and goals?! This was a must-sign player in January and we’re seeing exactly why; pace, flair, eye for goal, attacking urgency.

Substitutes

Stefan Ortega Moreno – 6

Oscar Bobb – 6

Savinho – 6

Jack Grealish – N/A

Jeremy Doku – N/A