Match Report: Manchester City 4-2 Crystal Palace (Premier League)

Erling Haaland scored a hat-trick in a breathtaking comeback as Manchester City beat Crystal Palace at the Etihad Stadium.

A John Stones own goal and a second from Joachim Andersen gave Patrick Vieira’s side a comfortable lead at half-time, and it was looking like another frustrating afternoon against the Eagles.

But Manchester City rallied in the second half, with Bernardo Silva and a treble from Erling Haaland turning the scoreline around and claiming all three points for the Premier League champions.

The comeback maintains City’s unbeaten start to the season, with last week’s draw at Newcastle the only blot on an otherwise perfect record so far. 

Pep Guardiola’s men endured a nightmare start when a Palace free kick ricocheted off Stones and crept past Ederson.

Andersen doubled the away advantage from a corner, with Manchester City’s defence left red-faced after letting the Dane sneak in to score.

Fans inside the Etihad would have been forgiven for fearing the worst, but City were a changed team after the break.

Bernardo Silva’s goal from the edge of the box dragged them right back into the game.

At this point it stopped being a football match and became an ode to the lethal instincts of Erling Haaland.

The equaliser came from a delightful Phil Foden cross, perfectly picking out the Norwegian to head home.

Not content with rescuing a point, City’s new striker tucked home at the back post from a scuffed John Stones shot to give his side the lead for the first time in the game.

But it was his third goal that best captured what makes City's number nine so deadly - a brilliant display of strength and speed saw him latch onto substitute Ilkay Gundogan’s through ball and finish past the goalkeeper to wrap up a perfect second half performance.

There was also a home debut for new boy Sergio Gomez, who replaced Haaland in the final minutes.

Pep Guardiola gave Haaland a warm hug as the Norwegian came off after an impactful display that turned the tie over its head.

Cole Palmer and Julian Alvarez, both of whom started City's midweek 3-3 draw with Barcelona at Camp Nou, also came off the bench.

City have a few days to celebrate their unlikely victory before they host Nottingham Forest on Wednesday night, but all indications are that Haaland will be the star of the season.

Featured Image Credit: Twitter

Topics: Manchester City, Premier League, Crystal Palace, Pep Guardiola, Patrick Vieira, Erling Haaland, Bernardo Silva, John Stones

Nathan Allen

Writing about football since 2017, shortly before moving from the south coast to Manchester Metropolitan University, and graduated with a Diploma in Business and Spanish. When he's not writing, he's fantasising about unfeasible holidays or watching unhealthy amounts of film and TV.

@n_allenwriting