MANCHESTER CITY MOVED level with Chelsea at the top of the Barclays Premier League with a 3-0 win over a stubborn Crystal Palace in Saturday’s early kick-off.
Forced to play without any recongised strikers due to injury, Manuel Pellegrini’s side struggled in the opening period before David Silva’s quick-fire double after the interval changed the dynamic of the game.
After James McArthur’s header was incorrectly ruled out for offside, Yaya Toure sealed the three points with a thunderbolt from close range.
City were missing Sergio Aguero, Edin Dzeko and Stevan Jovetic due to injury, but they secured an eighth consecutive victory in all competitions to move level on 39 points with Jose Mourinho’s side ahead of the Blues’ trip to Stoke on Monday.
Pellegrini deployed England midfielder James Milner as an auxiliary striker but the hosts failed to have a shot on target before the interval as Neil Warnock’s eagles defended resolutely.
Joe Hart was, however, kept on his toes as he made a point-blank save to thwart Mile Jedinak before Yannick Bolasie set up Fraizer Campbell to lash a close-range overhead kick narrowly wide of the upright.
The breakthrough arrived four minutes into the second half. From Fernandinho’s pass, Pablo Zabaleta scuttled into the area before cutting the ball back for Silva, who beat Julian Speroni with the aid of a deflection off Scott Dann.
Silva claimed his second goal shortly after the hour mark as he neatly steered home at the near post from Aleksandar Kolarov’s left-wing centre.
McArthur thought he had replied for Palace moments later when he headed Bolasie’s cross past a statuesque Hart, but although Fernandinho appeared to have played him onside, the assistant referee’s flag went up.
Toure made the game safe for City in the 81st minute, collecting a square pass from Milner and slamming home left-footed at the near post.
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