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Crystal Palace created several chances but were undone by Manchester City’s clinical edge as goals from Erling Haaland (two) and Phil Foden sealed a 3-0 victory for the champions at Selhurst Park.
Palace made five changes to their starting line-up, with Ismaïla Sarr returning alongside Dean Henderson, Nathaniel Clyne, Tyrick Mitchell and Jean-Philippe Mateta.
According to Crystal Palace FC, the hosts started brightly and nearly capitalised in the 10th minute when Clyne pounced on a loose pass inside the City box, but he was unable to get his shot away.
Palace came even closer seven minutes later as Jesurun Rak-Sakyi Pino rattled the crossbar with a rising effort after being sent through by Adam Wharton.
City were largely kept at bay, with Henderson producing a smart save in the 29th minute to deny Phil Foden’s low free-kick, as Palace continued to apply pressure with clever runs in behind the defence.
Against the run of play, City took the lead in the 41st minute when Haaland rose to head home a precise delivery from Matheus Nunes.
Palace responded well before the break, with Mateta testing Gianluigi Donnarumma twice in quick succession, but City went into half-time leading 1-0.
The Eagles resumed strongly after the interval and were unfortunate not to level in the 49th minute when Wharton struck the outside of the post after dispossessing Ruben Gonzalez.
City weathered the pressure and Henderson was again called into action in the 57th minute, kicking away Reijnders’ low drive across goal.
Oliver Glasner introduced Eddie Nketiah and Will Hughes on 67 minutes, but City doubled their advantage two minutes later when Foden found space on the edge of the area and fired into the net.
Palace continued to push, with efforts from Sarr and Hughes blocked, while Nketiah saw a late shot turned around the post by Donnarumma.
Any hopes of a comeback were ended in the 89th minute when Haaland converted a penalty after Savinho was brought down by Henderson, sealing a 3-0 win for Manchester City.
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