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Manchester City produced a breathtaking second-half onslaught to overturn a two-goal deficit, dismantling Crystal Palace 5-2 in a Premier League thriller at the Etihad Stadium.

The result propelled Pep Guardiola’s side back into the top-four conversation, while Palace’s spirited start was undone by City’s relentless firepower.

The match exploded into life early, with Palace catching City cold. In the 8th minute, Eberechi Eze latched onto a pinpoint Adam Wharton pass, weaving past Rúben Dias to slot home with composure.

The Eagles doubled their lead in the 21st minute when Chris Richards rose above a static City defense to head in a Jefferson Lerma corner, leaving the Etihad stunned. City’s early lethargy was palpable, their midfield overrun by Palace’s high press.

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The tide turned in the 33rd minute when Kevin De Bruyne, donning the captain’s armband, unleashed a curling 20-yard strike to halve the deficit—a moment of individual brilliance that sparked City’s revival.

Three minutes later, Omar Marmoush capitalized on a Nathaniel Clyne error, rifling a low shot past Dean Henderson to level the score. Palace’s early swagger had evaporated, and City’s intensity was unrelenting.

After the break, City seized control. Mateo Kovacic, thriving in Rodri’s absence, smashed a 25-yard screamer in the 47th minute to put the hosts ahead, igniting the Etihad faithful.

James McAtee added a fourth in the 56th minute, coolly finishing a flowing move involving De Bruyne and Jérémy Doku. The rout was complete in the 71st minute when Rico Lewis tapped in from close range after Henderson parried a Gvardiol header into his path.

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Palace, shell-shocked, offered little resistance as City’s five different scorers underlined their attacking depth.

Despite the scoreline, Palace showed flashes of quality. Jean-Philippe Mateta tested Ederson with a fierce drive in the 60th minute, but Oliver Glasner’s side couldn’t sustain their early momentum.

City’s bench, including Savinho’s late cameo, kept the pressure on, while Palace’s injury-hit defense—missing Marc Guéhi and potentially Maxence Lacroix—crumbled under relentless waves of attacks.

This 5-2 demolition, City’s highest-scoring league outing since January, temporarily lifted them to fourth, reigniting their Champions League push. With Erling Haaland and Rodri still sidelined, Guardiola will take heart from his squad’s resilience, though tougher tests loom, starting with a trip to Brentford.

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For Palace, the defeat halts their impressive run of four wins in five, leaving them mid-table. Glasner’s men must regroup quickly ahead of a tricky clash with Leicester City, hoping to rediscover the spark that briefly threatened an Etihad upset.

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