City 5 Crystal Palace 0
May 6th 2017 att.54,119
A brilliant team performance by City with outstanding contributions from David Silva and Otamendi put the sky blues into third place on goal difference. This is what we have been waiting for all season and there were plenty of smiles on the faces of City fans leaving the stadium. The early two minute goal by Silva - his 50th for the club - was vital as the visitors could not just defend and we had a very open game as a result.
A very good reaction save by Willy Caballero from a Benteke header in the first half enabled City to lead at half time and a great first time shot by Kompany early in the second half put paid to any hopes Crystal Palace had of getting a point.
City played some terrific football and Kevin De Bruyne added a third before Sterling made it four nil thanks to a Zabaleta header. At last City were actually shooting from outside the goal box!!
In added time
Otamendi headed in a De Bruyne free kick to make it five nil. It was Otamendi's best game for City and his first goal of the season. He seems to have improved a lot since playing alongside Kompany. If we can keep this form up then City will finish third and qualify for the Champions League next season
City played a very attacking team with Jesus leading the attack in the absence of the injured Aguero.
The massive plus point was the return of Silva from injury.
Despite the early kick-off there was a good contingent of away fans present
The players join the kids for a team pic
Within the first two minutes of the game a poor headed clearance came to Silva who shot past Hennessey to give City the lead. What a start - now Palace dare not park the bus! It was his 7th goal this season
The South stand liked that one
How we missed him after that early injury at Wembley. That was his 50th goal for the club
Jesus is about to be brought down by Kelly who gets a yellow card for the offence
Hennessey saves a shot from Fernandinho on 10 minutes
Sam Allardyce looks just a little concerned
Hennessey in action again
A busy Hennessey foils Jesus
The unusual player set-up at a Palace goal kick
Hennessey saves from Jesus on the half hour
Gosh - action at the other end as Fernandinho heads clear
Yes - Hennessey saves again this time from Sane
Sane foiled once more by the keeper
On 35 minutes Caballero makes a brilliant reaction save from a downward header by Benteke and the ball runs to Puncheon who shoots well over the bar
Referee Oliver protects his comments to Puncheon from lip readers!
Hennessey in action once again
Van Aanholt shoots over on 38 minutes
Kevin De Bruyne is fouled by Schlupp
Oh dear that hurts a bit!
Otamendi heads clear from Benteke
Just on half time Hennessey catches a free kick
Two minutes into the 2nd half and Silva just misses
two minutes later and following a corner De Bruyne passes to a waiting Kompany......
...who cracks it first time towards goal.....
....and past a helpless Hennessey to give City a two goal lead much to the delight of the North Stand
Yet another goal assist by De Bruyne and there are plenty of slaps on the skippers head!
These three enjoyed it too!
another Kompany effort at a corner
Jesus just misses the goal with a header
Millivojecic gets a yellow card for a foul on De Bruyne and from the free kick Kevin hits the top of the bar
A shot by Fernandinho is saved by Hennessey
Sane has a shot saved by a very busy keeper
but he could not stop a surprise shot from De Bruyne from outside the box
So it's three nil to City and Kevin's 6th goal of the season so more joy for the City supporters
It was his first goal at home since the
Spurs game in January
Otamendi clears but is fouled by Zaha
Silva gets a standing ovation as he is subbed by Zabaleta
Yaya Toure gets fouled by McArthur on 65 minutes
Otamendi heads a corner clear but the ball comes back and Caballero has to tip the ball over the bar from an effort by Flamini
Caballero saves at a corner
Sane has a good chance but shoots wide
Sane has a moan when giving away a free kick
A great clearance by Otamendi
Zabaleta battles with Zaha
Zabaleta has a shot saved by Hennessey
After 82 minutes a headed pass by Zabaleta is met by Sterling who scores past the keeper to make it four nil
It was his tenth goal of the season and both he and the City fans enjoyed the moment
He is City's second highest scorer this season behind Aguero
More changes for City - on come Navas and Iheancho for Sane and Jesus
Pep gives Jesus a good hug
Caballero dives to try and stop a dangerous cross
As we started added time Delaney got a yellow card for a foul on Sterling and from the De Bruyne free kick a great header by Otamendi found the net to make it five nil- brilliant
Man City fans had already left but those remaining gave Otamendi a big cheer on his best game for City
team
Caballero 7.5: Fernandinho 7.5, Kompany 8, Otamendi 8.5, Clichy 7.5: Toure 7.5, De Bruyne 8, Silva 9 (Zabaleta) Sane 7.5 (Navas) Sterling 7.5 Jesus 7.5 ( Iheanacho)
