Defending Premier League champions Manchester City rallied from a two-goal deficit to defeat Crystal Palace 5-2 at the Etihad Stadium, with Kevin De Bruyne delivering a standout performance that boosted their top-five aspirations.
Pep Guardiola’s team faced a significant setback in their pursuit of a Champions League spot as Eberechi Eze and Chris Richards gave Palace an early advantage on Saturday.
However, in his first home game since announcing his departure at the end of the season, De Bruyne showcased the talent that has solidified his status as one of the Premier League’s greats, despite recent injury struggles.
The Belgian midfielder, who has been with City since 2015, scored to ignite the comeback, followed by Omar Marmoush’s equalizer just before halftime.
Mateo Kovacic scored following an assist from De Bruyne to give City the lead after halftime, and goals from young players James McAtee and Nico O’Reilly completed the impressive comeback.
The only worry for Guardiola was Ederson’s injury, which required the City goalkeeper to be substituted in the second half.
This week, Guardiola expressed optimism about the team’s chances of qualifying for the Champions League, citing their regained “spirit” after a challenging season.
Following Newcastle’s victory over Leicester on Monday, City had fallen out of the top five, but this important win propelled them back into fourth place.
Although they have re-entered the Champions League spots, City still lack control over their fate.
Fifth-placed Chelsea will go back above them if they beat struggling Ipswich on Sunday, while sixth-placed Newcastle are only two points behind and have two games in hand.
Guardiola could have been in an even worse position, however, after his creaky defence was ruthlessly exposed in the sixth minute.
Daniel Munoz’s pass sent Ismaila Sarr racing down the flank to deliver a low cross that Eze finished with ease at the far post.
City were in disarray at the back and Oliver Glasner’s men punished them again in the 21st minute.
Ederson failed to make contact in his attempt to punch clear from Adam Wharton’s corner and Richards muscled in front of Ruben Dias to head home from close range.
Semi-automated offside technology, being used in the Premier League for the first time this weekend, disallowed a third goal for Palace after Eze had finished another flowing move.
De Bruyne is a shadow of the player who was so instrumental in City’s run of six titles in seven seasons.
Read also: Ola Aina ruled out of crucial Everton clash after Manchester United injury
But the 33-year-old rolled back the years to inspire City’s fight back, serving notice with a ferocious 25-yard strike that cannoned back off the post.
Unlucky not to score minutes earlier, De Bruyne reduced the deficit in the 33rd minute, lashing a thunderous free kick past Henderson via the post.
City suddenly had all the momentum and Marmoush hauled them level in the 36th minute.
De Bruyne’s header from McAtee’s cross reached Ilkay Gundogan, whose sliced effort led Marmoush to drive in his seventh goal since arriving from Eintracht Frankfurt in the January transfer window.
City’s comeback was complete two minutes into the second half as Kovacic capped a swaggering raid.
Gundogan and O’Reilly combined to find De Bruyne and his pass was perfectly weighted for Kovacic to drill past Henderson from 20 yards.
After 12 substitute appearances, McAtee marked his first Premier League start for City with a goal in the 56th minute.
Ederson launched a high punt downfield and McAtee sprinted through the statuesque Palace defence, rounded Henderson and tapped into the empty net.
O’Reilly capped the demolition with his first league goal for City in the 79th minute as the 20-year-old volleyed home from the edge of the arena.
