A Kevin De Bruyne-inspired City staged a stunning comeback from 2-0 down to overwhelm Crystal Palace 5-2 at the Etihad and so step up our charge for a Champions League place.
In what was a remarkable, incident-packed game, the Eagles had soared into an early two-goal lead through Eberechi Eze and Chris Richards and saw a potential third by Eze ruled out by VAR for offside.
But, in his first appearance at the Etihad since confirmation that he is to leave City this summer after 10 glorious years, skipper De Bruyne helped spark a quite magnificent comeback.
The Belgian first narrowed the deficit with a trademark first half free-kick before then being involved in Omar Marmoush’s leveller before the break.
De Bruyne it was who then set up Mateo Kovacic a minute after the restart to fire City ahead before James McAtee – on his first Premier League start for City – extended the advantage via a stunning Ederson assist.
Nico O'Reilly then got in on the scoring, registering his first Premier League goal to set the seal on what was a result to remember.
The victory moved Pep Guardiola’s side back up into fourth place in the Premier League table with six games of the season remaining.
What happened
Against an inviting Etihad backdrop of mid-April sunshine and blue skies, it made for a perfect backdrop to the contest.
And it was City who carved out the game’s first real opportunity on five minutes.
Kovacic dinked in a perfectly weighted ball behind the Palace defence for McAtee to run onto.
However, though on target, the City youngster’s shot lacked the necessary purchase to really trouble Palace keeper Dean Henderson.
It was Palace though who struck first as Eberechi Eze fired the visitors ahead with what was their first meaningful attack of the game on eight minutes.
Daniel Munoz played a first-time pass down the right wing to the onrushing Ismaila Sarr who, in turn, delivered a low inviting low cross across the face of goal for the unmarked Eze to guide in.
City though almost conjured up an instant response.
A quickfire 14th minute counter-attack saw De Bruyne provide a pinpoint ball into the path of the onrushing Omar Marmoush who was denied by the onrushing Henderson.
From the resulting rebound, De Bruyne’s follow up was then diverted behind much to the visitors’ relief.
City though were then rocked on our heels once more when Palace doubled their advantage on 22 minutes.
A well-executed in-swinging corner from Adam Wharton into the heart of the box was met by Eagles defender Chris Richards who jumped highest to head home from close range.
The action didn’t let up with De Bruyne then seeing a superb right-footed shot ricochet back off the post on 24 minutes as Guardiola’s men sought to summon up a fightback.
Palace though remained a huge threat on the break and another swift attack ended with Ismaila Sar seeing a powerful strike ...
