Kevin De Bruyne scored a brace as Manchester City secured a thrilling 4-2 victory over Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon.

De Bruyne missed the first five months of the season due to a hamstring injury, but Foden played a pivotal role in the 4-1 thumping of Aston Villa on Wednesday. The Belgian also scored a hat-trick while on the bench.

At Selhurst Park, the roles were flipped as Pep Guardiola rested Foden and De Bruyne spurred City’s comeback after the team trailed 3-0.

In between his two goals, the Belgian ended his goal drought by setting up Erling Haaland.

“It’s been an untypical season. Being out for five months, sometimes I feel good, sometimes I need a bit of time for my body,” said De Bruyne.

“I don’t expect to be just given my place. If I don’t perform well I won’t play. Phil has been amazing this season, he keeps me on my toes.”

Guardiola took advantage of the opportunity to rearrange his team once more, only three days before City’s Champions League quarterfinal trip to Real Madrid.

Alongside Foden, Manuel Akanji, Bernardo Silva, and Jeremy Doku were benched.

When John Stones and Oscar Bobb entered the game alongside De Bruyne and Haaland, City did not seem to be any weaker.

But after just three minutes, a mistake by the ring-rusty Stones gifted Palace the lead.

Stones was returning to action after suffering an injury while playing for England last month. Adam Wharton pounced on his mishandled pass, allowing Jean-Philippe Mateta to score off the post.

After 10 minutes, City equalised thanks to a goal from De Bruyne that curled into the top corner.

“Today Kevin won the game with his actions, goals, assists, his talent,” said Guardiola. “Today we won (because of) him.”

Dean Henderson made a stop on a one-on-one opportunity as Haaland, who had not scored in his previous five games for club or country, was unable to capitalise on a magnificent De Bruyne through ball.

Prior to halftime, Jordan Ayew gave Palace another chance to lead when he slammed the bar following a rare Rodri mistake.

After Rico Lewis took advantage of some careless Palace defending to make it 2-1 on 47 minutes after Jack Grealish’s deflected cross, there was little question about the result.

Injury setbacks have plagued Grealish’s season on multiple occasions, but his return to full fitness and form might be crucial to City’s hopes of winning the FA Cup, Premier League, and Champions League.

Grealish also assisted his team in scoring their third goal, setting up De Bruyne for a cross that Haaland headed in for a much-needed goal for the Norwegian.

Despite having 30 goals this season in all competitions, Haaland had not scored in 12 of his previous 17 appearances after returning from a two-month-long foot injury.

De Bruyne scored with his left foot after curling one in with his right, bringing his total number of goals since joining City in 2015 to 100 in 372 games.

By then, it appeared as though City would win by the four goals required to surpass Liverpool on goal differential.

However, Palace scored their sixth and last goal when Jeffrey Schlupp’s cross was turned in by Odsonne Edouard.

Arsenal, who may reclaim first place later on Saturday when they face Brighton, is now two points behind City.

Photo by Backpagepix