Manchester City contested a rollercoaster seven-goal thriller against Crystal Palace, producing one of their best performances of the season to fight back from two goals down.
Pep Guardiola’s men finished 5-2 up at the Etihad, with departing star Kevin De Bruyne sparking City into life and ensuring they put the pressure on Newcastle and Chelsea in the battle for the Champions League places with the Premier League now guaranteed five qualification spots in Europe’s top tier.
The hosts moved up to fourth in the top flight, just two points off third-placed Nottingham Forest, with goals from De Bruyne, Omar Marmoush, Mateo Kovacic, James McAtee and Nico O'Reilly completing a stunning comeback after going 2-0 down in a little over 20 minutes.
Eberechi Eze and Chris Richards - the latter scoring his first Premier League goal this season - put the visitors in front, with City completely carved open at the back, but the game hinged on a third Palace goal and second for Eze, which was disallowed for offside. From there De Bruyne led an inspired fightback to dismantle one of the league’s in-form sides and go some way to ending his long career at the Etihad on a high.
Follow all of the latest from the Etihad Stadium with our live blog below:
Manchester City vs Crystal Palace LIVE
- 8' GOAL! Eze sweeps home tap-in as Palace carve City open [MCI 0-1 CRY]
- 23' GOAL! Richards header sees Palace double their lead [MCI 0-2 CRY]
- '33 GOAL! De Bruyne curls in stunning free-kick to pull one back [MCI 1-2 CRY]
- '36 GOAL! Marmoush completes City comeback as momentum swings back [MCI 2-2 CRY]
- '47 GOAL! De Bruyne tees up Kovacic in dream start to second half [MCI 3-2 CRY]
- '56 GOAL! McAtee scores first Premier League goal on first start for City [MCI 4-2 CRY]
- '79 GOAL! O'Reilly seals the game for City with side-footed volley [MCI 5-2 CRY]
Manchester City FC 5 - 2 Crystal Palace FC
Kevin De Bruyne rolls back the years as Crystal Palace crumble in the face of an all-time great
15:43 , Richard JollyA comeback for the ages, courtesy of the ageing great.
They will miss him when he’s gone, the man who is arguably Manchester City’s greatest ever player. But when he does, Kevin De Bruyne’s legacy looks likelier to include Champions League football. The Belgian’s City career has produced medals and memories, with some more of the latter created by a masterclass in one of his valedictory outings on home soil.
Kevin de Bruyne rolls back the years with masterclass against crystal Palace
What the stats say
15:40 , Flo CliffordThe stats reflect City’s ultimate dominance: the hosts had nine shots on target to the opposition’s three, with Palace almost completely anonymous in the second half, and 68% possession to their 31%.
City had 30 touches in the opposition box; Palace had just nine, with the vast majority before the break.
De Bruyne free-kick 'changed the momentum'
15:03 , Flo CliffordGuardiola says De Bruyne’s goal “changed the momentum” of the game.
“We scored two and after the second half started our next two goals was quick,” he continues on TNT Sports. “If you see the chances that we had we could have scored eight or nine easy because we arrive in the final third, one against one with the keeper how many times? The work ethic, the way we played was really good.”
'The Kevin we have known for many years' - Guardiola
15:01 , Flo CliffordNow speaking on MOTD, Guardiola says, “I would say we played really good all game. We were 2-0 down and we created a lot and I said at half time we were playing good.
“Our momentum was sparked with a free-kick from Kevin and after that we played a really good game considering we were 2-0 down and considering how Crystal Palace have been in the past games.”
He’s full of praise for De Bruyne, saying, “The Kevin we have known for many years. I know he's struggled the last year and a half. He's free without pain and completely different. The way we played helped him a lot with incredible runners, the young lads, the full-backs."
On the fight for the Champions League places, he says, “We'll see tomorrow the position, it will be so tight. It will be until the end. Six games left, difficult games.”
Did either side deserve a penalty?
15:00 , Flo CliffordThere were two shouts for a penalty in that game, one for either side. Pep Guardiola wasn’t happy about Chris Richards not being penalised for a pull on the shirt of Omar Marmoush when the latter was through on goal, and it visibly put the Egyptian off.
Then Palace were frustrated as Rico Lewis seemed to clear a cross by the visitors with a combination of his face, shoulder, arm and hand deep in added time.
VAR had a quick look but didn’t award either penalty.
'I want to play on,' says De Bruyne
14:58 , Flo Clifford“It’s been a hard year,” De Bruyne says. “Having a hernia was not much fun but I’ve been pain free for the past six weeks and that’s made a big difference. It was hard but now I feel free. I’m able to do a lot of training sessions. I don’t know what’s going to happen but I want to play on. We’ll see where I can end up.”
'I don't know how I'm going to feel' - De Bruyne on leaving City
14:57 , Flo Clifford“I don’t know how I’m going to feel [after leaving],” De Bruyne says. “I’ve been here so long, my family’s been here 10 years, my kids were born in Manchester and live their whole life here.
“It’s going to be something different for them and I think they’re a bit scared, excited. It’s a big unknown because we don’t know what’s going to happen for the moment. I want to play good football like I did today but I’ll be fine. If I can play football and my family’s happy, I’m good.”
'What's going on here?' - De Bruyne on going 2-0 down
14:53 , Flo CliffordMore from De Bruyne on TNT Sports, on the second Eze goal that was disallowed: “I thought the first 20 minutes it was actually alright. We had a couple of chances but they pounced on two chances, one, a corner and then obviously the Eze chance.
“I was wondering ‘What’s going on here?’ but I think the reaction was really good. Obviously scoring very quickly the first and the second changed the feeling of the game. I think overall we played really well.”
'The scoreline didn't reflect the first 20 minutes', says De Bruyne
14:52 , Flo Clifford“The scoreline didn’t reflect what I thought about the first 20 minutes,” City’s star man says on TNT Sports.
“We found a way to change the game and 10 years is not going to change in 20 minutes. I’m going to enjoy every moment that I have here and I’m happy that we found a way to perform well today.”
How the table looks
14:50 , Flo CliffordCity are up to fourth, but have played a game more than Chelsea and Newcastle, who are hot on their heels and just two points behind. The reigning Premier League champions are just two points off third-placed Nottingham Forest, who are in action this afternoon too.
Crystal Palace stay 11th, two points behind Bournemouth in 10th as the fight for the European places continues.
James McAtee speaks to TNT Sports
14:45 , Flo Clifford“I don’t think we deserved to be 2-0 down,” the youngster, who scored City’s fourth goal, says on TNT Sports. “I think I missed a few chances early on and the game just got away from us a little bit. We were playing well anyway, we knew the goals were going to come and they did.
“Obviously we wanted to prove a point and show that we were committed and want to finish in the Champions League spots.”
On Ederson’s assist: “He can kick it dead far,” he says, smiling. “He’s got a great pass so when I saw the defence was high up I just tried to get between them and the goal.”
'Ridiculous game and great entertainment'
14:30 , Richard JollyRidiculous game and great entertainment. It could bode well for the FA Cup final, given these two teams could meet again at Wembley. City had only scored five times in six league matches. They got five in an afternoon. And while De Bruyne only scored one of them, he had a part in four. A sensational display.
FULL-TIME: Manchester City 5-2 Crystal Palace
14:29 , Flo Clifford90+7 mins: Palace win a late corner but it comes to nothing, and that’s the last action of the game.
A warm hug between Glasner and Guardiola and the City manager gives his man of the match de Bruyne a big hug too.
What a turnaround.
Manchester City 5-2 Crystal Palace
14:27 , Flo Clifford90+6 mins: This game could easily have reached double digits in terms of goals, with plenty more clear-cut chances for both sides and both sides denied a penalty. Watching that back, it’s a definite handball by Lewis.
NO PENALTY! Manchester City 5-2 Crystal Palace
14:26 , Flo Clifford90+5 mins: Glasner shouts for a penalty as a Palace cross appears to clatter off O’Reilly’s arm, but VAR says no.
Lerma gets a yellow for a cynical foul on Doku.
Manchester City 5-2 Crystal Palace
14:24 , Flo Clifford90+3 mins: Clyne covers a move by Doku, Savinho and Bobb as the subs combine to try to get a sixth. O’Reilly does well to muscle his way past a couple of Palace defenders and keep the ball.
Lots of applause around the stadium as De Bruyne is announced as man of the match. No contest really.
Manchester City 5-2 Crystal Palace
14:21 , Flo Clifford90 minutes: Seven minutes added on for Palace to try to not concede again.
Manchester City 5-2 Crystal Palace
14:19 , Flo Clifford88 mins: More subs for City. Kevin de Bruyne gets a standing ovation as he comes off along with Kovacic. Doku and Grealish are on.
CHANCE! Manchester City 5-2 Crystal Palace
14:17 , Flo Clifford86 mins: Palace get the chance to pull one back as they launch a rare counter-attack int his second half. Franca smashes a cross across the face of goal, with Sarr desperate to get there, but it drifts just wide. It goes out for a corner but Ortega manages to punch it away, and it’s out for another Palace corner.
Devenny misses a kick and Clyne smashes it over the bar.
Ederson goes off after mixed day at the office
14:14 , Richard JollyEderson has gone off after another idiosyncratic display. At fault for one goal, he created another. He has four Premier League assists this season, a total topped only by Savinho and De Bruyne. But his mistakes have been too frequent.
Manchester City 5-2 Crystal Palace
14:13 , Flo Clifford82 mins: Changes for both sides. Devenny and Franca come on for Wharton and Eze, and Marmoush and McAtee are replaced by Savinho and Bobb. McAtee gets a big hug from Guardiola.
GOAL! Manchester City 5-2 Crystal Palace
14:11 , Flo Clifford79 mins: Outstanding goal from O’Reilly for 5-2! City pile the pressure on once more, McAtee lobs in a cross, Palace fail to clear and instead knock it straight into the path of O’Reilly. The youngster shoots and it takes a slight deflection off Clyne and into the back of the net past a diving Henderson.
Manchester City 4-2 Crystal Palace
14:07 , Flo Clifford76 mins: Chilwell sends in a looping cross to Sarr in the centre of the box in the visitors most promising passage of play for a while, but it’s offside.
Those injury stoppages have sucked the life out of this game a little bit now.
Manchester City 4-2 Crystal Palace
14:05 , Flo Clifford74 mins: It looked like Ederson pulled something in his groin playing a short pass.
In a bit of a holding pattern now. Palace have a little bit of possession but look nothing like the bright, energetic side that scored two on the counter in the early stages of this match.
Manchester City 4-2 Crystal Palace
14:01 , Flo Clifford70 mins: McAtee goes into the book for sliding into Lerma.
Break in play as Ederson needs treatment for something or other, he looks to have injured his groin, and that’s the end of the day for Ederson. Guardiola has come out to bark orders at his players. Ortega makes the swap.
Palace collapse mirrors City's in early stage
13:57 , Richard JollyA strange old game. City are rampant now, Palace falling apart. Their lack of defending when Ederson set up James McAtee for the fourth was similar to City's early struggles.
Manchester City 4-2 Crystal Palace
13:57 , Flo Clifford66 mins: Some much-needed substitutions as Palace look to find something to salvage from this game: Ben Chilwell and Nathaniel Clyne are on for Maxence Lacroix and Tyrick Mitchell.
Manchester City 4-2 Crystal Palace
13:56 , Flo Clifford65 mins: About that McAtee goal: that was Ederson’s fourth assist of the season, extending his Premier League record, and a sublime one it was too.
De Bruyne looks miffed to have conceded a foul on Eze after an unusually bad free-kick from the City captain. The England international goes down clutching his left shin and is still on the ground. Oliver Glasner looks worried.
SAVE! Manchester City 4-2 Crystal Palace
13:52 , Flo Clifford59 mins: Total madness in the Palace box and City should be 5-2 up. De Bruyne lays off a beautiful pass for Marmoush, but Henderson leaps in the way to save, Gundogan can’t get the rebound, and O’Reilly finally blasts it over the bar.
Palace are utterly on the back foot and completely exposed at the back.
GOAL! Manchester City 4-2 Crystal Palace
13:48 , Flo Clifford56 mins: McAtee gets his goal! First Premier League start for City, first Premier League goal.
It’s a fabulous long ball forward by Ederson, which falls to McAtee just on the edge of the box. He’s played onside by the Palace defence, takes a touch to round Henderson, and with the keeper marooned miles out from his goal the youngster slots home.
It’s checked and cleared, and City have gone from 2-0 down to 4-2 up.
Manchester City 3-2 Crystal Palace
13:45 , Flo Clifford54 mins: Lacroix goes into the book for a late challenge on Kovacic, landing on his boot. Ouch.
City have a free-kick about 30 yards out from Palace’s goal. He floats it into Dias but with Kovacic approaching Wharton makes a great block.
CLOSE! Manchester City 3-2 Crystal Palace
13:43 , Flo Clifford51 mins: Should be 4-2 as Marmoush lays the ball off for McAtee, but he skies his attempt way over the bar with only Henderson to beat. The debutant has been in all the right places so far today but has wasted several chances now.
GOAL! Manchester City 3-2 Crystal Palace
13:39 , Flo Clifford47 mins: Bad start for Palace. Mitchell has work to do immediately as McAtee comes towards goal with pace.
Within a couple of minutes the hosts are 3-2 up, and once again De Bruyne has his hands all over this one: O’Reilly makes a great overlapping run to pull it back to the Belgian, who squares a simple ball to Kovacic and he slams it into the far left corner.
Brief VAR check for offside, and the goal stands.
SECOND HALF: Manchester City 2-2 Crystal Palace
13:36 , Flo Clifford46 mins: Back underway at the Etihad. One change: Will Hughes is on for Mateta.
HALF-TIME: Manchester City 2-2 Crystal Palace
13:28 , Flo CliffordA very enjoyable half of football, but a nightmare for live-bloggers. Palace completely carved City open on the counter, particularly down their left side, with early goals for Eze and Richards - the latter scoring his first Premier League goal this season.
If Eze hadn’t been a fraction offside the visitors would have been 3-0 up, but instead they squandered their lead, with the pivotal moment of this half surely been Kamada’s silly concession of a free-kick.
De Bruyne clearly has no intention of leaving City quietly and Guardiola can credit him for sparking the hosts into life with a brilliant free-kick, before the Belgian played a key role in setting up Marmoush’s equaliser - and had a golden chance to put City ahead at the break too.
'Terrific stuff from the old master'
13:25 , Richard JollyRemarkable half, and a hugely entertaining one. Palace were 2-0 up, could have been three ahead and it would have been deserved. Yet Kevin de Bruyne grabbed the game by the scruff of the beck and inspired a comeback. Terrific stuff from the old master.
HALF-TIME: Manchester City 2-2 Crystal Palace
13:19 , Flo CliffordAnnnnnnnnd breathe.
What a belter of a first half.
CHANCE! Manchester City 2-2 Crystal Palace
13:18 , Flo Clifford45+2 mins: De Bruyne darts into a pocket of space but the Belgian is a bit too keen on a double and, after a beautiful first touch, skies an attempt way over the bar.
Manchester City 2-2 Crystal Palace
13:16 , Flo Clifford45 mins: Kamada gives the ball away cheaply to Gvardiol, who wins a free-kick as Mateta barges into him.
Miracle man de Bruyne to take, about 40 yards out from goal, but it’s cleared.
Three minutes added on. City are looking much the better side now.
Manchester City 2-2 Crystal Palace
13:14 , Flo Clifford43 minutes: After a completely frantic opening 35 minutes we have a comparative lull in play - comparative being the key word in that sentence.
Palace win a free-kick deep in their half.
Manchester City 2-2 Crystal Palace
13:12 , Flo Clifford41 mins: Nico Gonzalez gets a yellow for a pull-back on Mateta.
After being so furious at being denied a penalty in the opening stages, Guardiola looks a much happier man.
GOAL! Manchester City 2-2 Crystal Palace
13:08 , Flo Clifford36 mins: City press relentlessly and suddenly we’re level! McAtee cuts in a cross to de Bruyne on the right, who knocks it down for Gundogan. He makes a mess of it but it falls to Marmoush, who chips it in past a host of defenders!
McAtee and Marmoush both missed chances in the build-up to that too. All square at the Etihad!
GOAL! Manchester City 1-2 Crystal Palace
13:04 , Flo Clifford33 mins: And scores! The Belgian bends it over the wall and it bounds in off the post!
Manchester City 0-2 Crystal Palace
13:03 , Flo Clifford32 mins: Kamada is the first into the book for a needless challenge on Gonzalez. De Bruyne to take the free-kick.
DISALLOWED GOAL! Manchester City 0-2 Crystal Palace
13:00 , Flo Clifford29 mins: Eze at the double! He cuts inside, wrongfoots Dias and Gvardiol, and slots home a beautiful finish. Made it look easy.
But he’s fractionally offside, and it’s chalked off.
CHANCE! Manchester City 0-2 Crystal Palace
12:58 , Flo Clifford27 mins: Should be 3-0! It’s another drive down Manchester City’s left, where they just haven’t been good enough. Munoz tees up Kamada, who pulls it back for Sarr just yards out from goal, but he knocks it over the bar.
Mitchell now boots in an attempt but it’s straight to Ederson.
Guardiola cutting a frustrated figure
12:57 , Richard JollyGuardiola was cutting a frustrated figure even before Chris Richards doubled Palace's lead. He had kicked thin air in frustration a couple of minutes earlier. His mood was unlikely to have improved when Richards struck. It wasn't a great moment for Ederson, failing to claim a corner that was headed in from four yards, or Ruben Dias, who was outjumped. Once again, far too simple and this impressive Palace side capitalised.
HITS THE POST! Manchester City 0-2 Crystal Palace
12:56 , Flo Clifford24 mins: That was a fabulous delivery by Wharton and Palace’s 15th goal from a set-piece this season, the most of any top flight team.
Now De Bruyne tries to stop the rot, curling a shot in from 25 yards out, but with Henderson beaten it hits the post! Gundogan can’t get the rebound either.
GOAL! Manchester City 0-2 Crystal Palace
12:53 , Flo Clifford21 mins: Palace win a corner and Richards gets in front of Dias and has the simplest of jobs to jump and head it in! An incredibly sloppy for City to concede and the the first goal of the season for him.
Mateta was in too and the Frenchman did well to make Ederson’s life difficult, with the keeper crumbling under the pressure.
Manchester City 0-1 Crystal Palace
12:49 , Flo Clifford18 mins: VAR had a quick look for a penalty after Richards’ shirt-pull on Marmoush but decided against it, with Guardiola fuming on the touchline, pulling on his jumper in frustration.
Mitchell shoves Lewis over as they fight for the ball and concedes a free kick on the far right sideline.
Was Eze offside?
12:46 , Richard JollyPep Guardiola was appealing for offside when Eberechi Eze slotted Crystal Palace ahead. The eventual scorer had been off in the build-up - as was Diogo Jota in the Merseyside derby - but the officials applied the laws to allow the goal. The broader concern for City should be that it was too easy to cut them open.
CHANCE! Manchester City 0-1 Crystal Palace
12:45 , Flo Clifford14 mins: Palace nearly play a carbon-copy of that move leading to Eze’s goal as Sarr breaks away down the right, with both Mateta and Eze in acres of space in the box, but it takes a deflection out.
Now City break! de Bruyne takes the ball in midfield and tees up Marmoush, who has Richards beaten. Henderson makes a hasty clearance, sliding in, and de Bruyne’s rebound is deflected behind by Richards with the keeper scrambling to collect. Guardiola is annoyed that Richards hasn’t been penalised for a pull on Marmoush’s shirt.
De Bruyne’s corner comes to nothing as Henderson collects.
GOAL! Manchester City 0-1 Crystal Palace
12:41 , Flo Clifford8 mins: Crystal Palace slice open the City defence! Munoz plays in Sarr down the right and he makes a great run, crossing in for either Mateta or Eze to tap in. It’s the latter that gets there and City were just torn apart there.
Manchester City 0-0 Crystal Palace
12:37 , Flo Clifford5 mins: Munoz sends a long ball in to Mateta as Palace get a first glimpse of the ball but his headed attempt is a bit feeble.
Down the other end O’Reilly crosses in and Lerma somehow manages to head it away despite facing his own goal! Kovacic lobs in a lovely ball as City continue to press forward in these early stages but McAtee - keen to impress on his first top-flight start - shoots harmlessly at Henderson.
Manchester City 0-0 Crystal Palace
12:33 , Flo Clifford2 mins: City look to start brightly. McAtee launches a cross into the box but it’s too high for O’Reilly.
The hosts have all of the possession so far.
KICK-OFF: Manchester City vs Crystal Palace
12:31 , Flo CliffordAnd we’re off!
'The belief and confidence has increased'
12:26 , Flo CliffordCrystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner speaking to TNT Sports: "Since November it has started to grow and of course, with results and performances, the belief and confidence has increased.
"I think, across the season you have games when you miss key players. We have missed Guehi, Nketiah, Eze this season at points and managed to win. We are facing a strong Man City team and it is important for us to be at our top level this season.
"Always when we started as kids, in the park or as a kid, you want to win. That is no different today."
'Palace are always a difficult team'
12:23 , Flo CliffordManchester City manager Pep Guardiola, speaking to TNT Sports about Kevin de Bruyne's first home match since announcing his departure from the club: "Of course, it will be special. It has been 10 years here and it is special and I am sure they will show the appreciation for everything he has given here over the years."
On Crystal Palace: "They have a lot of pace and quality and are a really good team. Crystal Palace is always a difficult team for us and that is the same when Oliver is here."
Kevin De Bruyne was the magician who brought personality to the Man City machine
12:15 , Flo CliffordKevin De Bruyne came to Manchester City as their record signing and will leave as their greatest ever player. “Every story comes to an end,” he said, announcing his summer departure. A coda to the last chapter has long seemed obvious. Manchester, he said, will forever be in his family’s hearts and a version of him will surely forever be around the Etihad Stadium. De Bruyne is likely to be immortalised in bronze, celebrated in a statue.
Opponents can admire him there, safe in the knowledge their defence will not be unlocked by an act of extraordinary brilliance. As Pep Guardiola reacted to De Bruyne’s decision, the City manager underlined how productive an artist has been. “I read today that he's been involved in 280 goals and assists,” said Guardiola.
Kevin De Bruyne was the magician who brought personality to the Man City machine
Pep Guardiola optimistic Man City will finish strongly in top-five battle
12:10 , Flo CliffordPep Guardiola is confident his side will qualify for next season’s Champions League because he believes their “spirit” is back.
City have endured a difficult season by their lofty standards and find themselves in a scrap for a top-five spot in the Premier League rather than challenging for the title.
They have slipped to sixth since a dismal goalless draw at Manchester United last week but Guardiola has seen enough in recent games to feel upbeat.
Pep Guardiola optimistic Man City will finish strongly in top-five battle
Semi-automated offsides to make Premier League debut in Man City vs Crystal Palace
12:00 , Flo CliffordFollowing additional non-live testing in the Premier League, semi-automated offsides will now be used for the first time in the top flight this season, using virtual offside lines and graphics along with optical player tracking for those watching at home or in a stadium.
The technology will be used for the first time in the top flight in today’s 12.30pm kick-off.
A Premier League statement said: “Semi-automated offside technology automates key elements of the offside decision-making process to support the video assistant referee (VAR).
“It provides more efficient placement of the virtual offside line, using optical player tracking, and generates virtual graphics to ensure an enhanced in-stadium and broadcast experience for fans.”
How the table stands
11:55 , Flo CliffordManchester City are in sixth, one point behind Chelsea in fourth and Newcastle in sixth, but can put the pressure on them with a win today as both those teams play tomorrow.
Guardiola’s side have been boosted by the news that the Premier League is guaranteed a fifth Champions League spot next season, courtesy of Arsenal beating Real Madrid on Tuesday night.
Crystal Palace meanwhile are in 11th but are one of the league’s form teams, unbeaten in seven games, and clung on to beat Brighton 2-1 last time out despite two red cards in a chaotic, feisty game.
Oliver Glasner’s men are among the mid-table side pushing for European spots and are five points behind eighth-place Fulham with a game in hand.
Three sent off as Crystal Palace cling on to beat Brighton
11:50 , Flo CliffordNine-man Crystal Palace clung on to a 2-1 lead through 12 minutes of second-half added time at Selhurst Park to secure their first league double over arch-rivals Brighton in 92 years.
Jean-Philippe Mateta fired the hosts in front three minutes in, but Danny Welbeck drew the sides level before the break, surpassing Pascal Gross as Brighton’s top Premier League goal-scorer in the process.
Daniel Munoz put Palace back in front 10 minutes after the restart before both Eddie Nketiah and Marc Guehi were sent off with second yellow cards.
'Selectorial bingo' from Guardiola
11:45 , Richard JollyPep Guardiola's latest game of selectorial bingo has produced a side with a surfeit of holding midfielders, a shortage of out-and-out wingers, quite a lot of academy players and yet several experienced ones. James McAtee makes his first league start for City as one of three homegrown players in the initial 11; with Rico Lewis, who always scores against Palace, and Nico O'Reilly, but minus the injured Phil Foden. Palace, meanwhile, are without the suspended Marc Guehi and Eddie Nketiah.
How to watch
11:40 , Flo CliffordViewers in the United Kingdom can watch the match live on TNT Sports 1, with coverage live now from 11am BST. Subscribers can live stream via discovery+.
Kick-off is at 12.30pm at the Etihad.
Team news - Crystal Palace
11:31 , Flo CliffordPalace boss Oliver Glasner makes one change from the Eagles’ chaotic 2-1 win over Brighton last time out.
Chris Richards is back from a calf injury and replaces captain Marc Guehi, who is suspended after being sent off from two yellows at the weekend.
Eddie Nketiah is also suspended for his red card against Brighton, but Maxence Lacroix has been passed fit after he was withdrawn as a concussion substitute.
Team news - Man City
11:27 , Flo CliffordPep Guardiola makes three changes to the side that started Sunday’s dismal 0-0 draw at Old Trafford.
Academy graduate McAtee is handed a first-ever Premier League start and is joined in the starting XI by Rico Lewis and Nico.
Matheus Nunes and Bernardo drop to the bench and Phil Foden, who is not fully fit, is out of the squad entirely after starting at Old Trafford.
Line-ups - Crystal Palace
11:25 , Flo CliffordCrystal Palace XI: Henderson, Munoz, Richards, Lacroix, Lerma, Mitchell, Wharton, Kamada, Sarr, Eze, Mateta
Subs: Matthews, Ward, Franca, Clyne, Hughes, Chilwell, Umeh, Devenny, Kporha
Line-ups - Man City
11:23 , Flo CliffordMan City XI: Ederson, Lewis, Dias, Gvardiol, O’Reilly, Nico, Kovacic, Gundogan, De Bruyne, McAtee, Marmoush
Subs: Ortega, Grealish, Doku, Bernardo, Reis, Savinho, Nunes, Khusanov, Bobb
Premier League guaranteed fifth Champions League spot after Arsenal beat Real Madrid
11:15 , Flo CliffordThe Premier League will be guaranteed at least five teams in the 2025/26 edition of the Champions League after Arsenal’s thrilling 3-0 victory over Real Madrid on Tuesday night.
Two additional spots in the Champions League are available to the leagues in the countries with the highest Uefa co-efficients, with countries earning co-efficient points based on how their sides perform.
A win adds two points, while a draw adds one, with all the points earned by each club added up and divided by the number of clubs that league has participating in Europe.
Premier League guaranteed fifth Champions League spot after Arsenal beat Real Madrid
Kevin De Bruyne’s trophy-laden spell at Manchester City to end this summer
11:10 , Flo CliffordKevin De Bruyne is to leave Manchester City at the end of the season after a glorious decade at the club.
The 33-year-old, who has won 16 trophies with City including six Premier League titles and the Champions League, is out of contract in the summer.
With speculation over his future having grown throughout the season, the Belgium playmaker confirmed the news in a statement on his social media accounts.
He wrote: “I’ll get straight to it and let you all know that these will be my final months as a Manchester City player.
Kevin De Bruyne’s trophy-laden spell at Manchester City to end this summer
Jack Grealish and Phil Foden not feeling good after fan incidents – Pep Guardiola
11:05 , Flo CliffordPep Guardiola has revealed Jack Grealish and Phil Foden “don’t feel good” following incidents involving fans in last week’s Manchester derby.
City manager Guardiola feels both incidents were symptomatic of declining standards of behaviour in society but hopes the pair will move on.
Guardiola said at a press conference: “They don’t feel good but we move forward.”
Grealish and Foden ‘not feeling good’ after derby incidents, says Guardiola
‘Sexism isn’t banter’: Phil Foden chants crossed a line, says Kick It Out chief
11:00 , Flo CliffordAnd that Manchester derby was mostly notable for tasteless chants from some sections of United fans about Phil Foden’s mother.
The chants, which Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola said showed “a lack of class”, were sung throughout the first half on Sunday and when Foden was brought off in the 57th minute. United have not publicly commented on them.
The anti-discrimination charity Kick It Out has condemned the chants, saying “sexism isn’t banter”.
‘Sexism isn’t banter’: Phil Foden chants crossed a line, says Kick It Out chief
Jack Grealish ‘slapped in face’ by Man Utd fan as police charge man with assault
10:50 , Flo CliffordIt’s been a busy week for Manchester City, although more off the pitch than on.
A man has been charged with assault after allegedly slapping Manchester City forward Jack Grealish at the end of the Manchester derby at Old Trafford on Sunday.
Greater Manchester Police confirmed a 20-year-old man will appear in court following an incident relating to the 0-0 draw between Manchester United and rivals Man City.
Jack Grealish ‘slapped in face’ by Man Utd fan as police charge man with assault
United and City face off in lowest-calibre Manchester derby for decades
10:41 , Flo CliffordManchester City host Crystal Palace in their first outing after a drab Manchester derby at Old Trafford.
The Independent’s Senior Football Correspondent didn’t hold back on the dismal 0-0 encounter...
Man Utd and Man City face off in lowest-calibre derby for decades
Manchester City vs Crystal Palace LIVE
Friday 11 April 2025 12:40 , Harry Latham-CoyleGood morning and welcome along to The Independent’s LIVE coverage of the Premier League clash between Manchester City and Crystal Palace. Pep Guardiola’s side could climb into the top four with victory this afternoon, though face a tough test against a visiting side in strong recent form.
Kick off is at 12.30pm BST.
