Manchester City have continued their unbeaten start after a 90th minute winner was enough to secure a 1-0 win against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park.
Kelechi Iheanacho scored within seconds of coming off the bench, reacting quickest to put away a rebounded save from Alex McCarthy after he stopped a long-range shot from Samir Nasri.
The win makes it five from five in the league so far this season for the Sky Blues, also still yet to concede a goal.
Crystal Palace
Alex McCarthy – 6: Had a fairly solid game in goal and besides conceding late prevented some good City opportunities
Martin Kelly – 6: Slotted well into the defensive back four, coming in for an injured Joel Ward. Prevented easy opportunities coming in from his side
Scott Dann – 5: Was lucky to stay on the field after an ordinary tackle on Sergio Aguero which saw the Argentine substituted with an injury.
Brede Hangeland – 6: Another that found his feet coming in as an injury replacement and was able to deal with the threat of Wilfried Bony well, not allowing the striker to have any real space
Pape Souare – 6: Another strong game at the left-back position in both defence and attack. Dealt well with Navas and provided a good cross for Puncheon late in the game.
Yohan Cabaye – 7: Was the point of all of the build-up and distribution for Palace for all of the game and was also key in defence, putting pressure on the City forwards and making some key tackles.
Wilfried Zaha – 5: Had a frustrating first-half, caught offside on many of occasions when it should not have happened. The second was an improvement, however, when he was in his preferred right side.
Jason Puncheon – 7: Had a good game in an attacking sense, always looking forward to pass on to either Zaha or Yannick Bolasie. Had a great chance to take the lead after getting away from Eliaquim Mangala and on the end of a Souare cross, but a great save from Hart prevented a certain goal.
James McArthur – 8: The best Palace player on the field today. Was strong in helping the defence and able to make some key tackles and interceptions.
Bakary Sako – 6: Was key until his substitution, looked the most threatening down the wing for the Eagles and provided some key passes to put his teammates through.
Yannick Bolasie – 6: His speed was a real issue for the City defence early in the game, but once the minutes wore on his influence dropped-off a little.
Substitutes
Dwight Gayle – 5: Had a great chance late in the game after being found by a Zaha cross, however, missed from close range.
Mile Jedinak – N/A: Was not on long enough to have a real impact on the game.
Lee Chung-yong – N/A: Another who did not see enough of the ball after being introduced in in the 82nd minute.
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Manchester City
Joe Hart – 7: Only tested on one occasion, denying Puncheon the opener with a fine diving save.
Bacary Sagna – 6: A fairly quiet game. Made one strong attacking run that created space behind the Eagles defence and resulted in a corner.
Vincent Kompany – 7: Strong in central-defence, not taking any chances with clearances.
Eliaquim Mangala – 5: Not convincing in the centre of City’s back four. Caught on the ball a couple of times and then watching while Puncheon received the ball unmarked in the box and nearly scored.
Aleksandar Kolarov – 6: Dealt with the threats that Zaha was trying to create fairly well. Attempted get the opening goal with long range chances, but all went comfortably wide.
Yaya Toure – 6: Made some very silly challenges and probably like Dann, was lucky to stay on after a rough tackle on McArthur.
Fernandinho – 7: Strong in the holding role and broke up numerous Palace attacks.
Jesus Navas – 5: Should have been able to do much better with a chance to take the lead after getting around the goalkeeper inside the six-yard box, for Palace but was unable to steady and missed the open net.
Samir Nasri – 8: One of City’s best. Was a part of all of the build-up and distribution for Pellegrini’s attack.
Sergio Aguero – 5: Had to come off early after picking up an injury that now puts him in doubt for the Champions League game on Wednesday.
Wilfried Bony – 6: Was unable to get any clear chances or make an impact on the ball.
Substitutes
Kevin De Bruyne – 7: Introduced early and showed a great deal for the City fans to get excited about. Sent Navas through with a good long ball that put him one-on-one with McCarthy
Kelechi Iheanacho – 6: Instant impact in scoring with his first touch off the bench to give City the win.
Martin Demichelis – N/A: Played about a minute after coming on.
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