Man City v Crystal Palace Jan 2016

Back on top for an hour or so City eased through the second half with some excellent football and we were back to goals at the Etihad. Palace did not pack the goal from the start and might have taken the lead but for a good save by Hart from a header by Delaney. However a 30 odd yard effort by Delph evaded the diving Hennessey to give City the lead after 22 minutes. To add to the keepers misery just before half time a shot from Aguero was deflected by a defender and City were two up at the break.
It was much easier in the second half for City and simple goals by Aguero and Silva completed the afternoons entertainment.
Both Aguero and Silva are getting nearer their best form but De Bruyne was a bit below par. Star of the game was Fabian Delph who in addition to scoring worked really well in both defence and attack. It was good to see Zabaleta back in the side as both Sagna and Toure were rested. A bit worrying was the injury to Kolarov who had to be carried off on a stretcher. Another concern is Joe Hart's distribution. It should be much better for England's number one keeper. It certainly looks as though the battle for the Premiership title is going to the final games with City due to play Arsenal in the final home game.
At least despite the snow the traffic wasn't as bad as Wednesday!

City made several changes from the Everton game. Both Aguero and Iheanacho started up front and Zabaleta had his first start since October

Palace only had a thousand or so fans present at kick-off

The 1894 Group enhance the atmosphere at the Etihad

Joe Hart has an early save to make from a header by Delaney from close range after just 2 minutes

On 11 minutes Silva has a shot blocked

Otamendi puts off Wickham who shoots over

Silva was looking good today

The City bench look a bit cold

On 21 minutes Delph brought the ball forward and let fly from 30 plus yards and the ball beat the late diving keeper to give City the lead

City fans and players celebrate Delph's second goal of the season

A header from Dann is saved easily by Hart

But as Hart tried to clear the ball hit McArthur and luckily for Hart the eventual shot went wide

Iheanacho and Ledley practice some dance moves

On 32 minutes the referee gives a free kick .....

The kick taken by Cabaye is well saved by Joe Hart

Iheanacho has an attempt blocked after 34 minutes

A minute later and Aguero despite almost floored manages to get in a shot which goes wide

He gets his revenge a few minutes later when his shot from outside the area is deflected past the keeper for number 2

Iheanacho supplied the pass for Aguero's 9th league goal of the season

More City efforts go wide as we approach half time

So City lead at the interval and a hundred year old supporter gets a word from Tony Book and a special shirt

As the snow increased after the break City had a blow when Kolarov went down injured

It's never a good sign when the stretcher comes on and he was replaced by Clichy

Silva increases the pressure on the Palace goal but Hennessey takes the cross

Chamakh on for Wickham miss-heads the ball

Zabaleta and Fernando keep an eye on McArthur

After 67 minutes De Bruyne sets up an easy goal for Aguero and City lead three nil

The team and supporters celebrate Aguero;s tenth league goal of the season

Chamakh does a really awful dive and gets booked for his effort

A Silva shot goes wide alas on 72 minutes

Oh an incident in the South Stand but I don't think CSI Eastlands was called in!

A group of kids wearing red in the South Stand were noticed but I think they were from Spain - Silva's fan club

Aguero goes down in a heap but nothing given

A free kick by Toure ( on for Iheanacho) is blocked

On 3 minutes City break and Aguero and Silva are away

With only the keeper to beat to get a hat trick he passes to Silva who easily nets to make it four nil and three points

Celebration time as the three points are now in the bag

As snow continues to fall City fans make their way home more confident that the title is possible