Džeko 66'
Džeko goal decorates dreary City win.
Edin Džeko's 66th minute goal sealed a stale victory for Manchester City on Saturday afternoon as the blues toiled and tussled to overcome a compact Crystal Palace side and soar to the top of the Barclays Premier League table.
A guarantee of goals was proposed ahead of the clash which saw the league's top scorers surpass their record of 53 goals in 19 games achieved in their 2011/2012 title winning season, however, Pulis's Palace did their best to plug a usually rampant City side.
The hosts controlled the early possession without really flicking their creative switch as the visitors sat comfortably in their bus that occupied their 18 yard box. David Silva and Fernandinho combined elegantly throughout, but they could only propel the blues into a wall of red and blue. The speed of Congolese midfielder Yannick Bolasie offered the Eagles a rare flight path against a vulnerable Dedryck Boyata, but the African's attempts on goal did nothing to test the brilliant Hart.
(Dedryck Boyata made his first Premier League start of the season at right-back against Crystal Palace)
Adopting a solid 4-5-1 formation with Edin Džeko occupying the lone role up top, Manchester City struggled to test the hands of Argentinian stopper Julián Speroni and add to their formidable 37 goals at home this season. The blues were missing the width customarily provided by Aleksandar Kolarov and Pablo Zabaleta and Jesús Navas's tendency to cut inside gave City no real outlet on the flanks. Brazilian midfielder Fernandinho threatened to supply the blues with a late first half lead, but the South American's exquisite volley flew just over the bar.
With a frustrating first 45 minutes complete and a Rocky Balboa style black-eye imprinted onto the face of Joe Hart, Manuel Pellegrini illuminated the lack of entertainment by sending Álvaro Negredo and Samir Nasri on early warm-ups. After witnessing the visitors enjoy a brief spell of dominance in the first ten minutes of the second half, both were thrown into the fray in a desperate pursuit of a goal.
Just moments after speculative efforts from Jason Puncheon and Mile Jedinak were adroitly saved by Joe Hart, the blue got their goal. Jesús Navas composedly squared to Edin Džeko in the 18 yard box on 66 minutes and the Bosnian duly tucked the ball past Speroni. The vital opener marked the striker's 50th goal for the club and ensured that City had scored in 60 straight home matches.
(Edin Džeko celebrates his opener and 50th goal for Manchester City)
With the impetus firmly in the stride of the home side, Manuel's minions marched to an outstanding 81% of possession in the second half, however, a lack of penetration left the unlikely probability of a Palace equaliser still open. Knowing that his side's performance would be one to forget rather than celebrate, Manuel Pellegrini introduced Aleksandar Kolarov on the 74 minute mark in an attempt to see out the win.
A period of City prepotency helped to wind down proceedings as the blues waved a languid goodbye to 2013. It would be irrational to complain with just the one goal, but fortunately for City faithful, goals are what we have come to expect from our side at home this season.
It may have been dingy, dull and even depressing at times; but at the end of the day, WE'RE TOP OF THE LEAGUE!
Player Ratings
Joe Hart 8 - Braved his way through a nasty eye injury and made a number of excellent stops from Puncheon and Jedinak. England's No.1 is back!
Dedryck Boyata 7 - Always tough playing out of position, but the young Belgian had a steady game in an unfamiliar position. Struggled a little with the pace of Bolasie early on but ensured the Congelese international faded out of the game in the second half.
Vincent Kompany 7 - Solid yet again from the skipper who ensured Palace's counter attacks resulted in nothing.
Matija Nastasić 7 - The Serbian's return to first team football saw him struggle with the pace early on, but as he acclimatized, he fit in soundly alongside Kompany.
Gaël Clichy 6.5 - A quiet game for the Frenchman who wasn't able to provide any attacking threat down the left. However, defensively, he did little wrong.
David Silva 7 - Controlled City's play in the first half but faded in the second. His late booking will see him miss City's trip to Swansea on New Year's Day.
Fernandinho 7.5 - City's major attacking threat in the first half and was unlucky not to net a double with a spectacular volley and a powerful header. Passing was excellent and a number of sublime balls were controlled poorly by Džeko.
Javi García 6.5 - The Spaniard was a little hesitant in his passing but sat quietly and comfortably behind Fernandinho and Silva.
James Milner 7 - Forever attempting to make something happen and his industry was key in Saturday's tough battle. Switched to right back later in the game which showcased his versatility.
Jesús Navas 7 - Drifts in far too often and made City adopt a narrow approach in the first half. Hugged the touchline in the second and assisted Džeko's goal with great composure.
Edin Džeko 6 - Did little but score, as if often the case with the Bosnian.
Substitutes
Samir Nasri 6 - Helped City to a wealth of possession.
Álvaro Negredo 6 - Pressurised Palace's defence with more urgency than his strike partner.
Aleksandar Kolarov 6 - Attacked with more purpose than Clichy.
Shots on target: Manchester City 4 - 4 Crystal Palace
