A late strike from Kelechi Iheanacho saw Manchester City record a 1-0 win at Crystal Palace in Saturday's Premier League clash at Selhurst Park.
In an entertaining game laden with chances but seemingly set to finish as a draw, the 18-year-old Nigerian pounced on Samir Nasri's saved effort to rifle home in the 90th minute.
The result sees Manuel Pellegrini's side cement their grasp on first place in the Premier League table with five wins out of five, while the Eagles slip to third.
Sports Mole rates each player who took part in the game to see who shone for their team and who let the side down.
© Getty Images
CRYSTAL PALACE
Goal
Alex McCarthy: Pulled off several good saves to keep his side in the game, but could have done better to keep out Nasri's shot, which he pushed into the path of Iheanacho. (6/10)
Defence
Brede Hangeland: Strong throughout the game apart from the final minute, when his lapse concentration allowed Iheanacho nip in and fire home the winner. (6/10)
Pape Souare: Defended strongly to frustrate Navas and looked a threat at the other end of the pitch, where he often found his forwards with pinpoint crosses. (7/10)
Scott Dann: Was lucky to stay on the pitch after his sliding challenge on Aguero forced the Argentinian off the pitch, but put in a good shift thereafter. (6/10)
Martin Kelly: Had a solid first half but struggled as De Bruyne grew into the game and caused him no end of problems. (6/10)
Midfield
Jason Puncheon: Took a while to get into the game as he was somewhat sloppy in the first half but was far better in the second period and went closest to scoring with a bullet header. (6/10)
Wilfried Zaha: Looked impressive when on the ball from the right flank strayed into offside positions far too often. (7/10)
Yohan Cabaye: Was somewhat ineffective going forward due to City's dominance in possession and in attack, but controlled the pace of the game well in the middle of the park. (6/10)
Yannick Bolasie: Looked bright down the left flank and was involved in a constant one-on-one battle with Sagna, although his time on the ball decreased as time wore on. (6/10)
Attack
Bakary Sako: Started well and looked bright throughout the first half but struggled to maintain his performance after the break and, as a result, was replaced by Gayle midway through the second period. (6/10)
James McArthur: Was calm and assured in front of the Palace back four, defending well and proving the catalyst for attacks up the pitch. (7/10)
Substitutes
Mile Jedinak: Came on in the final ten minutes and looked strong and assured in the centre of the Palace midfield. (7/10)
Chung-Yong Lee: Replaced Puncheon with seven minutes to play, but failed to make an impact in his short time on the pitch. (6/10)
Dwight Gayle: Came on to replace Sako and looked bright when in possession but found opportunities hard to come by. (6/10)
© Getty Images
MANCHESTER CITY
Goal
Joe Hart: Had little to do due to his back four's impressive defending but was nonetheless solid when required to make saves, especially in the second half when he thwarted Puncheon's close header. (7/10)
Defence
Aleksandr Kolarov: Often found it difficult to deal with Zaha's darting runs and looked off the pace at the other end of the pitch. His chance on goal was horribly off target. (5/10)
Bacary Sagna: Had a tough task dealing with Bolasie, who looked bright down the left flank, but nonetheless put in a decent enough shift. (6/10)
Vincent Kompany: Put in another commanding display in the middle of a strong back line to help his side pick up a fifth consecutive clean sheet. (7/10)
Eliaquim Mangala: Looked calm and collected next to Kompany, and the duo worked well in tandem to keep Sako quiet in the final third. (7/10)
Midfield
Jesus Navas: Looked bright down the right flank, often linking up well with Sagna and De Bruyne, but struggled in front of goal, which was perfectly showcased when he missed an open goal from close range. (6/10)
Samir Nasri: A constant presence in City's more incisive attacks of the day. He linked up well with Wilfried Bony and De Bruyne, was bright on the ball, and his late shot caused McCarthy to deflect the ball into the path of Iheanacho for the winner. (8/10)
Yaya Toure: A mixed afternoon for the Ivorian, who often found himself being closed down quickly by the determined Palace midfield but was far better with his passing in the second half when City were dominating. (6/10)
Fernandinho: Put in a strong performance in the heart of his side's midfield, cleaned things up when Toure had his sloppy moments, and looked bright when in possession. (7/10)
Attack
Wilfried Bony: A somewhat anonymous performance from the Ivorian striker, who failed to have much of an impact in front of goal. (6/10)
Sergio Aguero: Started well but was forced to come off the pitch after being victim of a ferocious Scott Dann tackle. His side will eagerly be awaiting news of his layoff. (6/10)
Substitutes
Martin Demichelis: Featured for the last two minutes but failed to make an impact. (6/10)
Kevin De Bruyne: Despite being rushed on for his City debut after replacing the injured Aguero in the first half, he slipped seamlessly into his new side and was assured and bright in possession. (8/10)
Kelechi Iheanacho: Replaced the ineffective Bony in the 89th minute and fired his side's winner within a minute of coming on. (7/10)
No Data Analysis info
