Crystal Palace let a two-goal lead slip against champions Manchester City as Erling Haaland scored his first Premier League hat-trick in a six-goal thriller.
The Eagles looked on course for a second consecutive upset at the Etihad Stadium when an own goal from John Stones and a bullet header from Joachim Andersen put the visitors 2-0 up at half-time.
However, City rallied in the second-half with three goals in 19 minutes. Bernardo Silva would make it 2-1 before City’s Norwegian striker popped up with two close range finishes in the 62nd and 70th before completing his hat-trick with less than ten minutes remaining.
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With Wilfried Zaha out with a knock, Vieira opted for a five-man defence as Nathaniel Clyne came into the starting eleven at right-back with a central trio of Joel Ward, Joachim Andersen and Marc Guehi. City made two changes from last week’s six-goal thriller at Newcastle with Ruben Dias and Riyad Mahrez replacing Nathan Ake and Ilkay Gundogan in the starting eleven.
Just as they did in October last year, Palace stunned the home side by taking an early lead. Joao Cancelo’s foul on Jordan Ayew gave Ebe Eze a perfect opportunity to put a dangerous cross into the box that hit off the thigh of John Stones to beat Ederson after four minutes.
Although dominant in possession and knocking at the door, the champions failed to muster a shot on target from seven attempts in a frustrating first-half. Erling Haaland came close to equalising with a glancing header at the near post that went narrowly over Guaita’s crossbar.
Palace would double their lead soon after, again converting the few chances afforded to them. Eze again providing a threatening ball into City’s box, this time with an out-swinging corner, with Andersen’s bullet header proving unstoppable for Ederson.
Haaland would hit the side netting from a tight angle and Phil Foden sent his header seven yards from goal just over the bar before half-time.
City would come out of the blocks quickest in the second period with Bernardo Silva in fine form. The Portuguese pulled a goal back eight minutes into the second half when his low effort deflected off Jeffrey Schlupp and in.
Soon after, City were back on level terms. Foden’s chipped cross was met by the head of Haaland who wasn’t going to miss from six yards out. After 70 minutes, City were in front.
Palace were left rooted inside their own box by City’s quick passing. Silva played a one-two with Julian Alvarez before pulling the ball back for Stones to nudge it towards the back post where Haaland was on hand to finish off with an easy tap-in.
With less than ten minutes remaining, City’s dominance continued and the three points were wrapped up when Haaland netted his third. The Norwegian shrugged off Ward and Andersen to latch onto an Ilkay Gundogan through ball before firing in City’s fourth.
Palace player ratings : Vicente Guaita – 6; Nathaniel Clyne – 6; Joel Ward - 6; Joachim Andersen – 7; Marc Guehi - 6; Tyrick Mitchell – 6; Jordan Ayew – 6; Cheick Doucoure – 6 ; Jeffrey Schlupp - 6; Eberechi Eze – 8 ; Odsonne Edouard – 6
Substitutes: Chris Richards (on for Mitchell 57’) - 5 Will Hughes (on for Edouard 67’) - 5; Michael Olise (on for Clyne 74’) - 5; Jean-Phillipe Mateta (on for Ayew 74’) - 5
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