Manchester City 5-0 Crystal Palace, Three talking points from the game.

The Eastland’s recorded an impressive 5-0 win over giant killers Crystal Palace at the Etihad. The host (Manchester City) was on the front foot for most part the game as they put five goals past the visitors who looked a shadow of themselves on the road.

Goals from David Silva, Kevin De Bruyne (whose initial free-kick was saved by the goalkeeper), Raheem Sterling and the defensive duo of Skipper Vincent Kompany and Nicolas Otamendi (from a header through set-play) set City on a high note as they continued their Champions League ambitions.

Crystal Palace had their chances but Guardiola would be pleased his side kept a clean sheet at least after conceding much this season. The visitors that defeated Chelsea and Liverpool 2-1 away from home respectively were unable to cope with the attacking flair of the home side attack as City came up with one of their best performance of the season.

On this note we evaluate the key talking points from the Etihad 5-0 win.

Manchester City takes Advantage

 

The home side seized initiative with the fact that they are playing before closest rival and neighbours Manchester United to pick all three points to set the pace for a top four finish above the Red Devils.

With one point separating the two going into the weekend fixture, it was needful for Guardiola’s wards to win their match which they did in a very convincing way to send a message to the other top four contenders and solidify their grip on the Champions League position. The home side ran riot in the game leaving Crystal Palace perplexed with five unreplied goals despite the imminent threat of Christian Benteke and Wilfred Zaha in transition.

In the end, it was a positive outcome for Guardiola and his team as they remain maintained their position on the League log irrespective of what happened in the Arsenal vs. Manchester United duel at the Emirates Stadium.

David Silva, the missing Link

The Spaniard proved decisive for Guardiola’s men as he opened up play for Manchester City in transition. It took the midfield player just 2 minutes to get on the score sheet for his side after initiating the build-up to the breakthrough goal.

Silva offered flair and creativity to the home side as players like Leroy Sane and Raheem Sterling were put through in their lightening pace on the wings. He was the brain behind City’s attacking play alongside Kevin De Bruyne who grabbed a goal of his own in the match.

This was the quality that the host missed against United as the Manchester Derby ended in a lacklustre (goalless) affair some weeks ago.

Crystal Palace losing grip

The visitors Crystal Palace might have defeated Chelsea, Liverpool (1-2 away from home) and 3-0 against Arsenal compounding Arsene Wenger’s woes in the season. But defeats to Manchester City and a narrow 0-1 loss to Tottenham Hotspurs (title hopefuls) have raised relegation warning to the Crystal Palace side.

This is a wake up call for Sam Allardyce’s men. They better pick up points in the last few games unless they will be in for the drop this season despite some magnificent performance against some of the top sides in the League.

The time is now for the Etihad visitors to pull the trigger in order to stay afloat in the Premier League otherwise they would be joining Sunderland and any of the relegation probable’s (Hull City and Middlesbrough) down to the Championship if care is not taken.