Kevin De Bruyne sends timely reminder of his world-class talent as Erling

Pep should be grateful for Kevin De Bruyne's performance! The Belgian star reaffirms his world-class status just as Erling Haaland silences his doubters.

Kevin De Bruyne, the virtuoso orchestrator from Belgium, showcased his undeniable brilliance in a commanding display that drove Pep Guardiola's Manchester City to victory in south London.

This latest performance serves as a resounding reminder: never underestimate Kevin De Bruyne. Despite facing scrutiny following a lackluster showing at Anfield and subsequent omission from the starting lineup against Aston Villa, De Bruyne silenced doubters with a remarkable resurgence against Crystal Palace. The match began with a surprise lead for Palace, courtesy of Jean-Philippe Mateta's fourth-minute strike.

However, De Bruyne swiftly asserted his influence on the game. With a mesmerizing curling shot, he equalized for City, seizing control of the midfield thereafter. His dominance was complemented by the rejuvenated efforts of Jack Grealish and substitute Manuel Akanji in the second half.

Match Video Highlight Crystal Palace vs Manchester City

The tide turned further in City's favor when Rico Lewis found the net with a deflected strike, followed by De Bruyne's assist to Erling Haaland, who ended his month-long goal drought. Not content with merely setting up goals, De Bruyne delivered another masterstroke by netting his own, marking his 100th goal for the club.

In essence, De Bruyne's virtuosity, combined with stellar performances from his teammates, propelled Manchester City to a resounding triumph, leaving no doubt about his enduring impact on the team's success.

Despite Odsonne Edouard pulling one back for Palace, there was minimal threat of a significant comeback, leaving Manchester City in high spirits as they prepare to travel to Spain for their Champions League quarter-final first leg against Real Madrid, brimming with confidence and momentum.

Manchester City's players from Selhurst Park

Goalkeeper & Defence

Stefan Ortega (6/10):

Ortega displayed remarkable skill by evading Mateta after a shaky backpass from Rodri. Despite this, he had a momentary lapse when he misjudged a cross, gifting the ball to Palace's No. 14 earlier in the game.

John Stones (6/10):

Stones' errant pass to Julian Alvarez resulted in Palace's opening goal. However, he swiftly redeemed himself by demonstrating composure in distributing the ball effectively throughout the match.

Ruben Dias (6/10):

Dias exhibited solidity in anchoring the back-three, exuding confidence and making a crucial block to deny Edouard from scoring.

Josko Gvardiol (5/10):

Gvardiol encountered difficulties in dealing with the threats posed by Daniel Munoz and Mateta, leading to a booking for a foul on the latter. He was substituted at halftime due to a minor injury concern.

In summary, while the defensive unit had its moments of vulnerability, particularly with individual errors and struggles against Palace's attackers, they managed to regroup and contribute to the team's overall performance.

Midfield

Rico Lewis (7/10):

Lewis was granted the freedom to roam the midfield, a role he flourished in, particularly benefiting from the added responsibility. His performance was highlighted by his first goal since the reverse fixture against Palace in December.

Rodri (5/10):

Despite his usual reliability, Rodri experienced some uncharacteristic errors during the match. He was dispossessed by Jordan Ayew, resulting in a near miss hitting the bar, and also came close to putting Ortega in trouble. However, he redeemed himself by subtly assisting De Bruyne's second goal.

Kevin De Bruyne (9/10):

De Bruyne delivered a stellar response following recent criticisms and doubts regarding his form and longevity. His performance was nothing short of exceptional, marked by a sensational equalizer, an assist for Haaland's goal, and a stunning fourth goal of the match.

Oscar Bobb (6/10):

Bobb's intelligent movement and patience proved instrumental in destabilizing Palace's defense, allowing City to maintain total control over the midfield battle.

Attack

Julian Alvarez (5/10):

Alvarez displayed promising movement upfront but was let down by poor decision-making. He could be held accountable for losing possession, leading to Palace's first goal, and squandered a clear-cut opportunity by shooting straight at Joachim Andersen when the goal was wide open.

Erling Haaland (6/10):

Haaland demonstrated effective synergy with De Bruyne and, despite being thwarted by Dean Henderson at close range, managed to break his four-game goal drought with a well-taken strike.

Jack Grealish (8/10):

Grealish marked a remarkable return to form reminiscent of his performances from the previous season. Operating fluidly down the left flank, he posed a constant threat to Palace's defense while also playing a pivotal role in City's midfield dominance during the second half.
In summary, while Alvarez's inconsistency and missed opportunities marred his performance, Haaland and Grealish offered glimpses of their quality, with Grealish notably shining brightly with his impactful contributions on the wing.

Subs & Manager

Manuel Akanji (7/10):

Akanji's introduction proved to be a significant improvement over Gvardiol, seamlessly linking up with Grealish on the left flank and enhancing City's defensive solidity.

Mateo Kovacic (5/10):

Coming on for Rodri, Kovacic's substitution coincided with a slight dip in City's performance, allowing Palace to capitalize with their second goal and a few half-chances.

Matheus Nunes (5/10):

Nunes had a missed opportunity, sending a shot over the bar after coming on as a substitute.
Bernardo Silva (N/A):
Silva entered the game late, replacing De Bruyne in the dying moments of the match.

Pep Guardiola (7/10):

Guardiola's tactical acumen was evident throughout the match. His celebratory gesture towards De Bruyne after his first goal demonstrated his appreciation for the midfielder's performance. Additionally, Guardiola effectively managed his squad, rotating players with one eye on the upcoming fixture against Real Madrid. Notably, his decision to substitute Gvardiol for Akanji proved to be a masterstroke, contributing to City's victory.