Man City v Crystal Palace Oct 2015

This was an easy win for City and after the goalless chess game at Old Trafford at the weekend it was good to see the ball in the back of the net again. City made several changes giving a start to Iheanacho who thanked his manager by putting in a terrific display scoring once and making two assists. He never stopped running and should be given more starts. Bony scored with a powerful header but he did miss some good chances as well so it will be interesting to see who starts against Norwich in the next game. Kevin De Bruyne also scored but some of his passes went astray.
Young Garcia came off the bench late on to notch his first goal and Yaya Toure scored from the spot.
Fernando came in for the suspended Fernandinho and he did well in midfield. It was a blow when Zabaleta was carried off with what looked like a bad leg injury. He had earlier been in the wars with a head injury so it was obviously just not his day. Demichelis and Mangala kept Palace at bay for the most part and reserve keeper Caballero made the odd save but Palace did miss some good chances. Overall a good team display with 19 year old Kelechi Iheanacho the star on the day. A disappointing crowd though - but good visiting support by Palace fans. Roberts coming on in the last 15 minutes made his home debut.

City made a few changes from the derby game. In came Demichelis, Mangala, Fernando, Iheanacho, Navas and Caballero

Kevin almost scored in the first few minutes but his shot......

.....went just wide of the far post

At the other end Bolasie has a chance...

...but eventually Caballero managed to gab the ball

After about 15 minutes Zabaleta and Bolasie clashed an both went down with head injuries

Zabaleta has a bandage attached

After 21 minutes City got a corner which was taken by Kolarov nd Bony got in a header.....

..which beat the keeper and Mutch on the line to give City the lead

The City players and fans celebrate Bony's third goal of the season

Bony had another chance after 38 minutes but his shot went straight to the keeper

Just before half time Iheanacho broke down the wing looked up and crossed to the waiting De Bruyne

With an open goal Kevin could not miss this early Christmas gift and duly netted to make it two nil

It was a perfect goal so it was congratulations all round

despite the save by Caballero the ball runs clear and Ledley has a chance....

..but his effort goes over the bar

In added time Navas has a half chance

..but his effort is blocked

The large contingent of visiting fans wonder whether their journey was worth while

two minutes into the second half Fernando breaks and hands a chance to Bony on a plate but alas he shoots well wide

Caballero tries to punch clear

looks like a problem in the Palace section

There was an even greater problem on the pitch and Zabaleta was in the wars and had to be carried off with an injured knee

on 57 minutes De Bruyne had a good effort well saved by Hennessey

Hennessey in action again at a City corner

On 58 minutes De Bruyne passed to Iheanacho who quickly turned and shot past the keeper to make it three nil

the young Nigerian certainly deserved the congratulations of his colleagues and the City supporters

5 minutes later Palace should have scored when first Zaha missed his chance and then Bamford had a shot blocked

Ouch that hurt! Surely not a foul by Iheanacho!

referee Tierney has a word with Kelly

Fernando is fouled at a corner and a penalty is given

Yaya Toure takes the penalty and scores as usual to make it four nil and game over

Off goes Bony and on comes 17 year old Garcia for his debut

Caballero checks on Sagna

On 88 minutes Delaney scores with a header for Palace

The Palace players rush back to the centre and the visiting fans have something to smile about

over three minutes into added time and City break away with Iheanacho who makes a perfect pass to Garcia

Garcia cuts in and shoots past the keeper to make it 5-1

It was a very special day for the young Spanish player and one he will remember