REPORT: DE BRUYNE MAGIC INSPIRES ROUSING CITY RECOVERY
Kevin De Bruyne inspired a rousing Manchester City comeback as Pep Guardiola's side hit back from trailing Crystal Palace 2-0 to complete a thrilling 5-2 Premier League victory at the Etihad.
Eberechi Eze (8') and Chris Richards (21') had given Oliver Glasner's in-form side a shock 2-0 lead at a sun-drenched Etihad before De Bruyne, who is set to end his 10-year stay at City at the end of the season, almost launched a one-man comeback mission that saw them move fourth top of the table.
The mood music of the contest appeared to change when Eze saw a fine finish narrowly ruled out for offside to make it 3-0 on 28 minutes before City assumed control.
After hitting the post with a thumping shot, De Bruyne bagged a free-kick from 25 yards on 33 minutes before the Belgium playmaker's headed knockdown from a James McAtee cross was swept into the net by Omar Marmoush three minutes later.
With the momentum firmly with the home side, City brushed aside a visiting team who had been unbeaten in their previous 10 matches with De Bruyne setting up Mateo Kovavic for the third goal (47') before McAtee bounded onto a long pass from goalkeeper Ederson to round Dean Henderson to make it four on 56 minutes.
Nico O'Reilly guided a deflected volley into the net (79') for the fifth to secure a merited three points for the home side, who move two points above Chelsea and Newcastle in the race for a UEFA Champions League spot.
Palace remain 11th with 43 points from 31 matches as they continue to chase a European spot next term.
'They needed something from their talisman!' - De Bruyne free-kick pulls one back for City
Video credit: TNT Sports
14:50
Manchester City
14:50
WHAT FOOTBALL IS ON TNT SPORTS?
TNT Sports will show over 500 matches from the UEFA Champions League, the UEFA Europa League and the UEFA Conference League, as well as exclusive Premier League games across the 2024-25 season.
The streaming home for TNT Sports in the UK is discovery+, where fans can enjoy a subscription that includes TNT Sports and entertainment in one destination.
Any matches that fall within the Saturday blackout window in the UK cannot be shown live. The blackout window prohibits matches being shown on television between 14:45 and 17:15 in the UK.
O'Reilly nets first Premier League goal as Man City put five past Palace
Video credit: TNT Sports
14:45
Manchester City
14:45
KEVIN DE BRUYNE ON HIS CITY HEROICS AGAINST PALACE
"The scoreline did not reflect the game in the first 20 minutes," the Belgian midfielder told TNT Sports. "I'm going to enjoy every minute I have here. We need to win these games and perform like we did today.
"Be aggressive, and the most important thing is this club plays in the Champions League next season.
"I'm pain-free for the past six weeks. Which makes a massive difference.
"I don't know what is going to happen next, but I want to play on so we'll see where I end up. My family have been here 10 years so it is going to be something different for them.
"I want to enjoy and play good football."
James McAtee was delighted with his side's victory.
"I don’t think we deserved to be 2-0 down, I missed a few chances early on," he said. We were playing well anyway, and we knew the goals were going to come. We showed good character to come back.
"Everyone was up for the game. We wanted to prove a point that we're committed, and want to finish in the Champions League spots."
14:34
Manchester City
14:34
DE BRUYNE NOT THE ONLY CITY PLAYER TO ENJOY HIS DAY IN THE SUN
90+7'
Manchester City
90+7'
THERE GOES THE FULL-TIME WHISTLE!
A remarkable comeback from the outgoing Premier League champions as City hit five from 2-0 behind in the 21st minute to complete an excellent victory. Three points in the bag, and Pep Guardiola will be content with his side's work this afternoon.
"De Bruyne was a joy to watch," says Ally McCoist on TNT Sports. "One of the few players in the modern game who can grab the game by the scruff of the neck. His contribution to City was invaluable just as it has been to City over the years."
O'Reilly nets first Premier League goal as Man City put five past Palace
Video credit: TNT Sports
90+5'
90+5'
PALACE WAITING FOR THE FINAL WHISTLE
This match was gone for the London side some time ago. City heading back up to fourth in the Premier League table with this 5-2 victory.
90+3'
Crystal Palace
90+3'
A BOOKING FOR LERMA
Seconds after Lewis appeared to handle the ball in the City box, VAR not interested. Lerma is then penalised for a rash late challenge on Doku. Almost time up at the Etihad.
90+1'
90+1'
INTO SEVEN MINUTES ADDED AT THE ETIHAD
Another round of applause by the City fans after Ally McCoist named De Bruyne as the player of the match. Palace would happily take the final whistle right now.
88'
Manchester City
88'
DE BRUYNE IS THE PLAYER OF THE MATCH..STATING THE OBVIOUS
"That man in the picture is today's man of the match," said Ally McCoist on TNT Sports. "What a performance. He thought: 'I'm going to grab this match by the scruff of the neck'. It is the difference between very good players and great players. [Paul] Gascoigne was the best I played alongside. He knew what the game needed. We've watched greatness today."
86'
Manchester City
86'
DE BRUYNE GIVEN A STANDING OVATION BY THE CITY FANS
And probably a few Palace fans will feel like joining in. Still one of the Premier League's top performers. He is replaced by Jérémy Doku.
84'
Crystal Palace
84'
ALMOST A THIRD GOAL FOR THE VISITORS
Franca with a ball across the face of goal, but just eludes Sarr as he tried to nudge home the finish. Think Ortega got the slightest of touches on it. When it isn't your day...
82'
Manchester City
82'
SUBS ON THE WAY FOR BOTH SIDES
Not that it affects the outcome of this match. Oscar Bobb replaces Omar Marmoush as Savinho takes over from James McAtee. Meanwhile, Matheus França replaces Eberechi Eze for the visitors with Justin Devenny taking over from Adam Wharton.
80'
Manchester City
80'
WHAT WAS ALL THE PANIC ABOUT?
City running away with this match after trailing 2-0 in the 21st minute. Seems a long time ago now. Going to be a raft of changes made here. City heading back into fourth spot in the table.
78'
Crystal Palace
78'
GOAL! (O'REILLY) MANCHESTER CITY 5-2 CRYSTAL PALACE
Surely game, set and match as the ball breaks to Nico O'Reilly on edge of box from the Richards header, and he guides the volley into the corner of the net. Think it took a deflection. No matter. City have the three points in the bag.
76'
Manchester City
76'
WATCH: EDERSON SHOWS HIS CLASS WITH SUPERB ASSIST
'Remarkable' Ederson assist sets up McAtee for Man City's fourth
Video credit: TNT Sports
74'
Crystal Palace
74'
CRYSTAL PALACE FANS LOOKING A BIT DEFLATED
Looked like they were going to enjoy a memorable day out after the first 30 minutes, but City have really found another level in launching this recovery. Visitors have not had a shot in this second half. Which sums it up.
72'
Crystal Palace
72'
WAS THIS THE BIG TURNING POINT TODAY?
Crystal Palace would have been three up and coasting at this point, but technology got involved and the rest, as they say, is history.
70'
Manchester City
70'
CITY FORCED TO MAKE THIS CHANGE THEN
Off goes Ederson for the home side with Stefan Ortega introduced for the home side for the final 20 minutes. "Not much point taking any risks," comments Ally McCoist on TNT Sports.
68'
Manchester City
68'
EDERSON DOWN ON THE DECK
Looks like the City goalkeeper is in a spot of bother out there. Needing some medical attention following his assist with the left foot for McAtee to grab the fourth City goal.
66'
Manchester City
66'
CITY HAVE THIS GAME RIGHT WHERE THEY WANT IT
McAtee has been booked for a late challenge on Lerma after Maxence Lacroix was yellow carded for taking out Kovacic.
/assets.tntsports.io/web/img/match/football-header-bg-mobile.jpg)
/images.sports.gracenote.com/images/lib/basic/sport/football/club/logo/300/4222.png){kind=logo}
/images.sports.gracenote.com/images/lib/basic/sport/football/club/logo/300/100094.png){kind=logo}
/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2025/04/12/4118471-83507068-2560-1440.jpg)
/assets.eurosport.io/web/icons/livecomments/action-whistle.png)
/assets.eurosport.io/web/icons/livecomments/action-whistle.png){kind=icon}
/assets.eurosport.io/web/icons/livecomments/action-card-yellow.png)
/assets.eurosport.io/web/icons/livecomments/action-card-yellow.png){kind=icon}
/assets.eurosport.io/web/icons/livecomments/action-substitution.png)
/assets.eurosport.io/web/icons/livecomments/action-substitution.png){kind=icon}
/assets.eurosport.io/web/icons/livecomments/action-goal.png)
/assets.eurosport.io/web/icons/livecomments/action-goal.png){kind=icon}
/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2025/04/12/4118467-83506988-2560-1440.jpg)
/assets.eurosport.io/web/icons/livecomments/action-injury.png)
/assets.eurosport.io/web/icons/livecomments/action-injury.png){kind=icon}
'They needed something from their talisman!' - De Bruyne free-kick pulls one back for City
Video credit: TNT Sports