Man City go fourth after thumping Crystal Palace

Manchester City produced a sensational comeback at the Etihad Stadium, overturning a two-goal deficit to defeat Crystal Palace 5-2 and climb into the Premier League’s top four.

Early strikes from Eberechi Eze and Chris Richards gave Palace a shock 2-0 lead, with Eze also seeing a potential third goal ruled out for offside – a moment that could have put Oliver Glasner’s side in complete control.

However, Pep Guardiola’s men responded in emphatic fashion, turning the match on its head with a dominant display that underlined their attacking firepower.

Kevin De Bruyne sparked the comeback with a stunning free-kick, before Omar Marmoush struck a quickfire second to level the score.

Mateo Kovačić then gave City the lead just 77 seconds after the restart, and James McAtee, making his first Premier League start for the club, added a fourth.

Kevin De Bruyne drew City level with a superb 33rd-minute free-kick, wrong-footing Palace goalkeeper Dean Henderson.

The fifth came courtesy of Nico O’Reilly, another academy graduate, whose deflected volley sealed his first top-flight goal.

Crystal Palace boss Oliver Glasner will be frustrated by how easily his side, missing captain Marc Guéhi but previously unbeaten away in 2025, allowed City to take control.

Their surge up the table takes a hit with this defeat, and attention may now shift to the FA Cup – where a potential rematch with City looms in the final.

As for Pep Guardiola’s side, the win brings them within two points of third-placed Nottingham Forest, tightening the race at the top.