Manchester City soared to second place in the Premier League table, outshining Crystal Palace with a dazzling 4-2 victory. As the City gears up for a monumental Champions League quarter-final clash in Madrid, Guardiola’s strategic masterstroke to rest De Bruyne and Haaland paid dividends in their previous encounter—a commanding 4-1 triumph over Aston Villa.
The match at Selhurst Park was a rollercoaster from the get-go, with Jean Mateta’s early strike sending shockwaves just 3 minutes in. Yet, De Bruyne’s artistry restored equilibrium with a goal of sheer beauty. The second half saw Rico Lewis catapult City into the lead, followed by De Bruyne’s second—a testament to the Belgian maestro’s prowess. Haaland, rediscovering his golden touch, netted a stunning fourth, marking his 30th goal in all competitions this season.
Despite a late surge from Crystal Palace, with Edouard narrowing the gap, the victory was sealed for City. De Bruyne’s milestone—100 goals for Manchester City in 372 games—is a narrative of legend since his arrival in 2015. With this win, City leapfrogged two points clear of Arsenal, setting the stage for a nail-biting top-spot tussle as the Gunners face Brighton later on Saturday.