Manchester City 5-2 Crystal Palace: Kevin De Bruyne serves up reminder of his quality as defending champions produce stunning comeback victory | OneFootball

Manchester City gave their Champions League hopes a huge boost thanks to Saturday’s 5-2 triumph over a rejuvenated Crystal Palace outfit at the Etihad Stadium.

Pep Guardiola’s side had to settle for a share of the spoils in their last outing against Manchester United, while Oliver Glasner’s men battled hard to claim a 2-1 win over Brighton & Hove Albion.

Making his first Premier League start, James McAtee had a huge opportunity to break the deadlock inside five minutes but sent a weak effort into the grateful arms of Dean Henderson.

While Man City fluffed their first opportunity to open the scoring, Palace did their hosts no such favour as they took the lead three minutes later.

Ismaila Sarr’s inviting ball across the face of goal was tapped home by an unmarked Eberechi Eze into an empty net for only a second goal in his last 24 league outings.

City nearly hit back immediately through Omar Marmoush after he was played through on goal by Kevin De Bruyne before the Egyptian was denied by Henderson.

The hosts were once again punished for their wastefulness in front of goal when Palace doubled their advantage from an Adam Wharton corner. Chris Richards headed home.

De Bruyne came close to pulling one back for his side with a long-range strike that cannoned off the post, and Ilkay Gundogan was unable to direct the rebound home.

With City looking increasingly vulnerable at the back, Palace were inches away from grabbing a third when Sarr sent an effort over the ball from inside the box.

Eze had the ball in the net for a second time but was denied by the offside flag this time around.

Needing a moment of inspiration, City had De Bruyne to thank for dragging them back into the contest as the midfielder produced a stunning free-kick to halve the deficit.

Livened by De Bruyne’s strike, Man City took a firmer grip on proceedings and came within inches of drawing level through McAtee’s header.

However, City deservedly got themselves back on track thanks to Marmoush, who was on hand to fire home after Gundogan had failed to make proper contact with De Bruyne’s headed lay-off.

City showed no signs of taking their foot off the gas despite drawing level, and a first-half turnaround was nearly completed in stoppage time, only for De Bruyne to fire his effort over the bar.

Man City unsurprisingly made a fast start to the second half, needing just 77 seconds to get their noses in front as Mateo Kovacic finished with aplomb inside the box after being found by De Bruyne.

Having passed up several opportunities to get himself on the scoresheet, McAtee finally marked his full top-flight debut with a goal.

He was played through on goal via a long ball by Ederson before rounding Henderson and finishing into an unguarded net.

City remained relentless in their pursuit of more goals as they sensed the nerves creeping in amongst the Palace ranks.

With De Bruyne turning provider for the umpteenth time, Marmoush wasted a glorious opportunity to grab a second as he was repelled by Henderson once again.

The game was finally put to bed ten minutes from time, with Nico O’Reilly grabbing the decisive strike via a deflection off Nathaniel Clyne.

Man City could afford to ease up a bit as Palace pushed for a late consolation, albeit all to no avail, and the game ended 5-2 in favour of the hosts.

City have moved back into the top four of the Premier League, two points clear of Chelsea.