Man City displayed new attacking threat in Crystal Palace game

straight to your inboxSeeing – and hearing – Ruben Dias in action has Gareth Barry harking back to his early days in the Manchester City dressing room.The former Blues midfielder was brought to the club in 2010 as an experienced 28-year-old who had played at a high level for Aston Villa for ten years, playing nearly 450 games.But it was a 23-year-old Vincent Kompany who startled Barry, whose own experience was a key reason City stumped up a bargain £12million for the England international.Both

straight to your inboxThe action on the field during Manchester City's Premier League win over Sheffield United was largely forgettable, aside from Gabriel Jesus' goal, but it proved a day of records for the Blues. After beating West Brom in style last time out, City were forced into a much more professional performance against a Sheffield United side who had beaten Manchester United at Old Trafford last time out.

straight to your inboxIlkay Gundogan has emerged as Manchester City’s secret weapon as they power on without Sergio Aguero.The Blues have recently made light of the fact their all-time top goalscorer Aguero has hardly figured this season.And Germany international Gundogan, who normally plays in a deeper role, has flourished as a more advanced midfielder, scoring seven goals in the last eight Premier League games, including two in the 5-0 win at West Brom on Tuesday night.Pep Guardiola was not

straight to your inboxIlkay Gundogan says he knew Joao Cancelo would spot his run forward for Manchester City's opening goal of their rout at West Brom.Cancelo chipped a lovely ball forward to meet the run of Gundogan on the edge of the area, before the German curled a lovely finish into the bottom left corner.

straight to your inboxPep Guardiola will remind Manchester City players of the need to play to the whistle after they benefited from West Brom failing to do so themselves. With the Blues already 1-0 up, a number of West Brom players stopped when they saw an offside flag for Bernardo Silva, only for Joao Cancelo to put the ball in the net and the original decision be overturned on replays.

straight to your inboxJohn Stones has revealed how he revamped every aspect of his game in a bid to resurrect his Manchester City career.And the England defender says that his exciting new partnership with Ruben Dias has been the other key factor in his spectacular return to form.Stones scored twice in the 4-0 win over Crystal Palace, but more importantly, the clean sheet made it one goal against that pair in their last ten games together.Talk of Stones and Dias being one of the great Premier

straight to your inboxPep Guardiola could not find the words to express Kevin De Bruyne's brilliance after another majestic assist helped Manchester City on their way to a 4-0 win over Crystal Palace.Crystal Palace were making life difficult for the hosts before a brilliant ball from the right spun into the box from De Bruyne and was headed in by John Stones for the opening goal.

straight to your inboxPep Guardiola has named a strong Manchester City side to face Crystal Palace, but Rodri has dropped to the bench.City can move up to third in the Premier League with a win, but Palace have taken four points from their last two league visits to the Etihad and will pose a threat this evening.Guardiola confirmed before the match that City's Covid-19 outbreak is clearing up, but Sergio Aguero is still unavailable as he is isolating after coming into contact with someone who

straight to your inboxManchester City will be hoping to continue their winning run in the Premier League this weekend, as they face Crystal Palace on Sunday.City have won their last four league games which has seen them move up into third, with Pep Guardiola's side also having a game in hand over both Liverpool and Manchester United at the top of the table.Gabriel Jesus and Ferran Torres are available once again for City this weekend, but Sergio Aguero, Aymeric Laporte, Nathan Ake and Eric

straight to your inboxManchester City are back in Premier League action on Sunday when they welcome Crystal Palace to the Etihad Stadium.City are third in the table, a single-point behind Liverpool, and will have the opportunity to leapfrog Jurgen Klopp's side in the table if they fail to beat Manchester United and the Blues overcome Palace.The Eagles, meanwhile, have struggled this season but will have received a confidence boost on Thursday evening as they secured a 0-0 draw against

straight to your inboxPep Guardiola believes that Manchester City players are building confidence through their own performances rather than being distracted by any talk of a title race.City head into their match with Crystal Palace on Sunday on the back of seven straight wins in all competitions and with a chance of moving either into the top two for the first time this season or to within a point of top spot.

straight to your inboxRoy Hodgson says Manchester City's recent form is daunting for his Crystal Palace side as they prepare to visit the Etihad on Sunday.City beat Brighton on Wednesday to make it seven wins in succession in all competitions, and 14 unbeaten since defeat at Tottenham in November.

straight to your inboxGabriel Jesus and Kyle Walker could return to the starting XI this weekend as Manchester City take on Crystal Palace.While all attention will be on Anfield on Sunday as the Premier League's top two battle it out, City could move up to second place themselves with a win, depending on the result on Merseyside.Much has been made of the growing title race between Liverpool and Manchester United while City have quietly got back to their best in recent weeks and, with a game in

straight to your inboxManchester City will welcome Eric Garcia back into the squad ahead of Crystal Palace to give Pep Guardiola more options in defence. John Stones and Ruben Dias have emerged as an immovable partnership at centre-back with just one goal conceded in nine starts together, but they have also been required to play so often because of the absence of others in that position.

direct to your inboxThe date and kick-off times for the FA Cup forth round have been confirmed.Manchester United will welcome fierce rivals Liverpool to Old Trafford on Sunday, January 24, with kick-off coming at 5pm. It will be shown live on BBC One.

straight to your inboxPep Guardiola may be refusing to look publicly beyond the next game but Manchester City are building a title challenge.A hard-fought 1-0 win over Brighton on Wednesday night was their fourth consecutive Premier League victory and lifted them into the top four for the first time this season; they sit a point behind Liverpool and four behind United but have a game in hand on the teams above them, who also play each other at the weekend.City's manager is insistent that the

straight to your inboxPhil Foden caught the eye again for Manchester City in their Premier League clash with Brighton & Hove Albion. The England international opened the scoring just before half-time in Wednesday evening's match against the Seagulls at the Etihad Stadium.

straight to your inboxCity Football Group (CFG) has expanded again with the announcement that Club Bolivar, the largest club in Bolivia, have become a partner.

straight to your inboxManchester City have offered access to the Etihad Stadium for the NHS to train staff operating the new Covid-19 mass vaccine centre nextdoor.The site, at the Manchester Tennis and Football Centre at the Etihad Campus, has opened today to assist in the roll-out of coronavirus vaccines, and is initially open to people over 80 and healthcare staff by appointment only.