Match ends, Manchester City 1, Crystal Palace 0.
Man CityManchester City1Crystal PalaceCrystal Palace0
Manchester City moved to the top of the Premier League table after Edin Dzeko's 50th goal for the club defeated Crystal Palace at Etihad Stadium.
City dominated a first half which saw their England keeper Joe Hart play on after suffering a badly cut eye.
Palace threatened via Jason Puncheon and Mile Jedinak, but Dzeko turned in a Jesus Navas cross to put City ahead.
Joel Ward drew a fine save from Hart and missed the target with a header as City went two points clear of Arsenal.
Manuel Pellegrini's side extended their 100% home league record, with the Gunners facing a tough trip to seventh-placed Newcastle on Sunday.
But after averaging more than four goals a game at Etihad Stadium, City were frustrated by a fine defensive effort from Palace, who limited the hosts to their first 1-0 home victory this term.
Although Tony Pulis's Palace remain a place above the relegation zone on goal difference, that margin did increase after Fulham suffered a 6-0 defeat by Hull.
And following their victory over Aston Villa on Boxing Day, Saturday's performance will certainly give the Eagles further confidence with a vital home game at Selhurst Park against Norwich to come on New Year's Day.
Ward's efforts immediately after Dzeko's goal showed that Pulis has instilled a steely side to his team, though they were perhaps fortunate that City only found the target twice in a first half where they registered 15 shots.
With this encounter coming less than 48 hours after the 2-1 victory over Liverpool on Boxing Day, manager Pellegrini made six changes to the side but Fernandinho and David Silva - who both played in that game - had the biggest impact before the break.
Those alterations included a first City league start for Dedryck Boyata since May 2011, while Dzeko replaced Alvaro Negredo in attack.
The Eagles did threaten down the left through Yannick Bolasie but the biggest worry for the hosts came when Hart suffered a nasty cut just below his left eye after a collision with Cameron Jerome.
Hart received treatment on the pitch and was fit enough to continue but Palace striker Jerome was forced off with what appeared to be a knee injury.
Hart reappeared for the second half with his injury clear to see but he remained alert to palm Puncheon's shot wide with substitute Marouane Chamakh heading over from the resultant corner.
That scare, along with frustration from the home supporters, prompted Pellegrini to go on the attack and he brought on Negredo and Samir Nasri for Fernandinho and Boyata.
But City were less fluid in the second period and Palace grew in confidence with Puncheon curling wide before Hart tipped Jedinak's long-range effort over the bar.
However, Dzeko appeared to settle City nerves when he tucked in Navas's cut-back but Palace continued to threaten and almost equalised through Ward.
The Eagles midfielder saw his first effort tipped away for a corner by Hart, who flung himself to his left, and his header from the resulting corner missed the target.
That proved to be the last meaningful effort from Palace and after Dzeko almost grabbed a second, his side held on for a fourth consecutive league victory.
For a gallery of images from Saturday's Premier League games go to the BBC Sport Facebook page
Line-ups
Man City
Formation 4-2-3-1
- 1Hart
- 38BoyataSubstituted forNegredoat 55'minutes
- 22Clichy
- 25FernandinhoSubstituted forNasriat 55'minutes
- 4Kompany
- 33Nastasic
- 15Navas
- 14García Fernández
- 10Dzeko
- 21SilvaBooked at 89mins
- 7MilnerSubstituted forKolarovat 75'minutes
Substitutes
- 6Lescott
- 8Nasri
- 9Negredo
- 13Kolarov
- 17Rodwell
- 30Pantilimon
- 42Y Touré
Crystal Palace
Formation 4-5-1
- 1Speroni
- 3Mariappa
- 4Parr
- 2Ward
- 19Gabbidon
- 27DelaneyBooked at 81mins
- 13Puncheon
- 15Jedinak
- 30JeromeSubstituted forChamakhat 35'minutes
- 46BannanSubstituted forGayleat 81'minutes
- 7BolasieSubstituted forWilliamsat 76'minutes
Substitutes
- 6Campaña
- 9Phillips
- 16Gayle
- 20Williams
- 21Moxey
- 29Chamakh
- 34Price
- Referee:
- Andre Marriner
- Attendance:
- 47,107
Match Stats
Home TeamMan CityAway TeamCrystal Palace
- Possession
- Home76%
- Away24%
- Shots
- Home23
- Away9
- Shots on Target
- Home4
- Away4
- Corners
- Home12
- Away5
- Fouls
- Home12
- Away7
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, Manchester City 1, Crystal Palace 0.
Post update
Foul by Samir Nasri (Manchester City).
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Damien Delaney (Crystal Palace) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Hand ball by Álvaro Negredo (Manchester City).
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Gaël Clichy (Manchester City) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Foul by Jonathan Williams (Crystal Palace).
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Attempt missed. Edin Dzeko (Manchester City) header from the left side of the six yard box is just a bit too high. Assisted by Jesús Navas with a cross following a fast break.
Booking
David Silva (Manchester City) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Post update
Foul by David Silva (Manchester City).
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Jonathan Williams (Crystal Palace) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Post update
Samir Nasri (Manchester City) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
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Foul by Adrian Mariappa (Crystal Palace).
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Attempt missed. Jason Puncheon (Crystal Palace) left footed shot from outside the box misses to the right following a set piece situation.
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Foul by David Silva (Manchester City).
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Joel Ward (Crystal Palace) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Substitution
Substitution, Crystal Palace. Dwight Gayle replaces Barry Bannan.
Booking
Damien Delaney (Crystal Palace) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Post update
Jesús Navas (Manchester City) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Post update
Foul by Damien Delaney (Crystal Palace).
