Kevin De Bruyne ignites Man City's stunning comeback over Crystal Palace

The victory ended Palace's eight-match unbeaten away streak and bolstered City's top-four hopes in the Premier League.

Pep Guardiola, City's manager, praised his side's resilience. "We played well from the start, even at 2-0 down," he said. "Kevin's free-kick changed the momentum, and after that, we were outstanding."

De Bruyne, who struck a 30-yard free-kick to spark the revival, earned special acclaim. "He's back to the Kevin we know," Guardiola added. "Pain-free, sharp, and supported by our runners and full-backs."

Palace stunned City early, taking the lead through Eberechi Eze's tap-in after Ismaïla Sarr's assist.

Chris Richards doubled their advantage, heading in Adam Wharton's corner.

City clawed one back before the break when De Bruyne's long-range effort crashed in off the post. After the restart, Omar Marmoush levelled with a fierce close-range strike, and Mateo Kovacic put City ahead, sweeping in De Bruyne's pass.

James McAtee sealed his fine display by rounding Dean Henderson to score, before Nico O'Reilly's late volley completed the rout.

However, concern lingered over Ederson, who limped off in the second half. "He felt something after a pass and couldn't continue," Guardiola said, awaiting further tests.

Reflecting on the top-four race, Guardiola noted, "It's tight. Six games left, all tough."

Recent updates from City's official channels confirm Ederson is undergoing scans, with no timeline yet for his return. De Bruyne, meanwhile, took to X to express his delight: "What a game! Buzzing to contribute and see the team fight back like that."

City's emphatic win piles pressure on their rivals, showcasing their attacking flair and determination to secure a Champions League spot.

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