David Silva has said that he is "very happy" to have scored a brace in Manchester City's 3-0 win over Crystal Palace in the Premier League.

The champions started the match without a recognised striker, with Sergio Aguero and Edin Dzeko both out injured, but the Spaniard scored twice before Yaya Toure added a third late on to take City level on points with league leaders Chelsea.

The 28-year-old told City TV: "I have always said that I like to play in the middle and every time I play there I try to score goals, as when I play wide, but I prefer a central position.

"I was able to score two goals and help the team, so I am very happy. Without strikers we have to work a bit more on trying to score goals and we did that, as in the last game, so hopefully we can continue like this."

Manuel Pellegrini's side travel to West Bromwich Albion on Boxing Day.

Written by
Sian Cowper