Manchester City have kept the pressure on Premier League leaders, Chelsea, with a commanding 3-0 victory over Crystal Palace.
The Eagles, who are just one point above the bottom-three, certainly didn’t roll over at the Etihad Stadium and impressed with a familiarly stubborn performance.
But when their dogged defence was eventually breached in the second half, it seemed the floodgates opened as two goals from David Silva and a late third from Yaya Toure sealed what was a straightforward three points for the defending champions.
Manuel Pellegrini forced to field an under-strength attack without injured trio of Sergio Aguero, Edin Dzeko and Stevan Jovetic, while England midfielder, James Milner, deputised in the number nine position.
City predictably dominated possession and the chances, but it was the visitors who came closest to the opening goal in a first half of few clear-cut opportunities.
In-form Samir Nasri screwed a shot wide, with Fernandinho side footing over the bar and Toure then punting one into the stands after a clever pull back from Silva.
It seemed the goal lifted a veil of gloom at the Etihad as City began to turn on the style, and they soon doubled their lead on the hour mark through Silva’s second of the afternoon.
Palace seemed to have netted an immediate reply, however, when James McArthur headed past Joe Hart from Bolasie’s superb sweeping cross, but the Scot’s effort was incorrectly ruled out for offside with the linesman appearing not to see that Fernandinho, who was standing right in front of the official, was playing him on.
Neil Warnock was seen furiously shaking head on the touchline, but though the goal might have given the Eagles hope of a comeback, the three points were secured for City in the final 10 minutes when Yaya Toure lashed home from inside box following a flowing team move from Pellegrini’s men.
Another unanswered goal would have seen the Blues leapfrog Chelsea into top spot on goal difference but they couldn’t add a fourth to their tally, with City still in second but now level on points with the top flight leaders ahead of their trip to Stoke on Monday.
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