Manchester City came back from two goals down to record an emphatic 5-2 win over Crystal Palace in Saturday’s early Premier League kick-off at the Etihad Stadium.
Eberechi Eze and Chris Richards stunned the home crowd with two goals in the opening 22 minutes, and the Eagles then had a third ruled out for offside.
However, Manchester City then turned things around, with Kevin De Bruyne inspirational throughout.
De Bruyne scored a 33rd-minute free kick to halve the deficit, before Omar Marmoush struck three minutes later to restore parity.
De Bruyne then laid the ball off for Mateo Kovacic to put City ahead early in the second half, before James McAtee and Nico O’Reilly made sure of all three points by the 79-minute mark.
Plenty of City players shone on the day, and Ally McCoist, commentating on the game on TNT Sports, sung the praises of a player who didn’t get on the scoresheet.
Ally McCoist hails Ederson’s assist for James McAtee
McAtee’s 56th-minute goal, which effectively finished off any Palace hopes of a comeback, was created by City goalkeeper Ederson.
The City stopper delivered a goal kick right to the feet of McAtee, who was then able to go round Dean Henderson and fire into the empty net.
McCoist said Ederson’s pass was equally as “amazing” and “beautiful” as McAtee’s composed finish.
“It is amazing,” McCoist said on TNT Sports. “What a pass that is from Ederson.
“James McAtee takes a lovely touch around Dean Henderson and slots it into an empty net.
“The finish is beautiful, matched by the pass from Ederson.”
How Ederson fared for Manchester City against Crystal Palace
Although Ederson played a big part in McAtee’s goal and even made history with his assist, there’s no denying that he didn’t have a great afternoon in between the sticks.
Ederson’s long ball for McAtee meant he now has seven assists in the Premier League, the most by a goalkeeper in the competition’s history.
However, Ederson was poor for both of Palace’s goals, especially the second, as he flapped at thin air after City target Adam Wharton whipped in a great corner.
To really cap off a mixed afternoon, Ederson had to go off injured in the 70th minute, appearing to have suffered an issue in his right leg.
