Crystal Palace 2-4 Manchester City: De Bruyne double sees Champions go joint top

Kevin De Bruyne scored twice to lead Manchester City to a dominant 4-2 victory at Crystal Palace on Saturday, bringing the champions level on points with Liverpool near the top of the Premier League table.

With seven games remaining, City have 70 points, the same as the Reds, who face Manchester United on Sunday, but trailing them on goal difference.

After Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta scored first, De Bruyne equalised with a superb shot. Following second-half goals by Rico Lewis and Erling Haaland, the Belgian midfielder scored his second. Odsonne Edouard scored a late consolation for the hosts.

"It's just like every other title race. We have to win every game," the 19-year-old Lewis told TNT Sports. "There's three teams in it and we have to be the strongest team."

Mateta stunned the travelling City fans with a goal in the third minute, but De Bruyne, who, like Haaland, had been rested for Wednesday's 4-1 victory over Aston Villa, levelled in the 13th minute with an inch-perfect finish that had manager Pep Guardiola blowing kisses to the Belgian.

"I just try to be more of an example with the way I am on the pitch," De Bruyne said. "I won't be the person to tell others how to live their lives but I try to show on the pitch."

Lewis put the visitors ahead shortly after the break, Haaland scored his 19th goal of the season from close range in the 66th minute, and De Bruyne netted his 100th goal for City, keeping them in contention for a fourth consecutive league title.

"The main message was to keep on going," Lewis said. "The chances would come. We needed to get into the box and that's what we did."

SportsLigue