Manchester City 4, Crystal Palace 2
Erling Haaland scored a 19 minute hat trick as Manchester City came back from 2 goals down to beat Crystal Palace at the Etihad 4-2.
Manchester City were uncharacteristically beaten by two set pieces in a gritty first half by Palace who earned an own goal by John Stones and a great free header by Joachim Andersen from balls by Eberechi Eze while isolating Haaland and blocking all routes to goal.
But in the second half, Bernardo Silva pulled a goal back after a solo run before Haaland scored a hat trick to snatch victory with his fourth, fifth, and sixth Premier League goals in just four games with City – matching Sergio Aguero’s record.
And after just four games played Haaland averages a goal every 54 minutes in the Premier League.
It was Haaland’s first City hat trick but his 13th hat trick of his career (after 1 for Molde, 5 for RB Salzburg, 4 for Borussia Dortmund, and 2 for Norway) as he became the 15th player to score a Premier League hat trick for City.
Embed from Getty ImagesCity came back from their midweek friendly trip to Barcelona and made two changes to the side that drew at Newcastle last weekend.
Ilkay Gündoğan was replaced by Riyard Mahrez while Nathan Ake, who was injured at St James Park, was replaced by Ruben Dias.
The bench included youngsters Claudio Gomes and Ben Knight after Kalvin Philips was ruled out following an injury sustained in Barcelona.
Crystal Palace were without Wilfried Zaha – he was replaced by Odsonne Eduoard as the Eagles looked to continue their decent start to the season.
And they started brilliantly after Eberechi Eze’s free kick went in off John Stones’ knee after a deflection off Kyle Walker with less than four minutes on the clock.
Joachim Andersen rose unchallenged to head home Palace’s second from 10 yards out, City’s defence were distracted once again after 21 minutes.
Haaland, who was one of the distracted defenders, slid a ball into the side netting and also headed a Mahrez corner over earlier while Foden headed a great ball over the bar after Bernardo Silva’s cross went over Haaland’s head.
Palace were flying and tested Ederson again with a rasping shot by Chieck Doucoure after 28 minutes while Palace kept waiting to feed Eze with quick direct balls up when City pushed up too high.
Haaland’s frustration was beginning to show when he accidentally took out Andersen with a high boot while challenging for a ball into the box.
Haaland somehow missed another City ball across the six yard box as they laboured against a tightly organised Palace side with balls getting blocked or chances not being taken – De Bruyne in particular struggled to get going.
There were isolated boos as City went in at the break and Guardiola left the team unchanged after the break but opted to make an early change just six minutes into the second half with Gundogan and Julian Alvarez making ready to come on.
Bernardo Silva sparks comeback that ends with Erling Haaland hat trick
Before they could get on, Bernardo Silva – who had battled on even when things looked bleak for City – pulled one back after rounding Tyrick Mitchell when his shot from the edge of the box took a slight deflection off Jeffrey Schlupp.
It was his 50th goal for City for the popular midfielder who Guardiola had declared would not be leaving City in the current transfer window.
And Silva could have had a second after a mazy run into the area before shooting wide.
Finally the change was made after an hour – Mahrez was replaced by Alvarez while Joao Cancelo was hooked for Gundogan.
And it brought immediate rewards as Foden’s delicious low left wing cross into the area was finally met by Haaland to head it home after 62 minutes.
The Etihad erupted at the equaliser by the Norwegian and the crowd picked up as City went for the winner.
Haaland put City into the lead with his second goal after a swift short corner was switched across the area with Silva heavily involved before the ball reached Stones who laid the ball on for the Norwegian at the far post for a tap in.
Haaland may have missed out on a hat trick when his header went astray but he was found by Gundogan for his hat trick – a through ball to feet – and the Norwegian easily held off Joel Ward before thrashing the ball past Guaita.
His work was done and he was replaced by Sergio Gomez – who was making his debut for City – before De Bruyne was given a rest with Cole Palmer replacing him with a minute to go.
GOALS – Manchester City 4, Crystal Palace 2
Man City 0, Crystal Palace 1: 4. Eberechi Eze’s free kick was swung in and went in through a combination of a series of deflections off Kyle Walker and the knee of John Stones.
Man City 0, Crystal Palace 2: 21. Eberechi Eze’s corner from the right was headed home by an unmarked Joachim Andersen after City made a meal out of another set piece.
Man City 1, Crystal Palace 2: 52. Bernardo Silva took a shot from the edge of the area and the ball took a slight deflection off Jeffrey Schlupp to beat Vicente Guaita.
Man City 2, Crystal Palace 2: 62. Erling Haaland pounced on a low cross into the area from the left by Phil Foden, heading home after Pep Guardiola had made a pair of substitutions.
Man City 3, Crystal Palace 2: 70. Erling Haaland scored his second of the day to put City into the lead – a tap in from close range after a short corner routine saw the ball switched from right to left with John sweeping the final ball into the far post for a tap in.
Man City 4, Crystal Palace 2: 81. Erling Haaland netted his first City hat trick after running onto a through ball by Ilkay Gundogan. He held off Joel Ward easily before thrashing the ball past Vicente Guaita.
MATCH STATS – Manchester City 4, Crystal Palace 2
Man City: Ederson, Walker, Dias, Stones, Cancelo (Gundogan 61), De Bruyne (C) (Palmer 89), Rodri, Bernardo Silva, Mahrez (Alvarez 61), Foden, Haaland (Gomez 84)
Man City Subs not used: Ortega, Gomes, Lewis, Knight, Wilson-Esbrand
Booked: Foden
Goals: Bernardo Silva 52; Haaland 62, 70, 81
Crystal Palace: Guaita, Clyne (Olise 74), Ward (C), Andersen, Guehi, Mitchell (Richards 57), J Ayew (Mateta 74), Doucoure, Schlupp, Eze, Eduoard (Hughes 67)
Crystal Palace Subs not used: Johnstone, Milivojevic, Ebiowei, Whitworth, Rodney
Booked: Guehi, Mateta
Goals: Stones og 4; Andersen 21
Referee: Darren England