Manchester City

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Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola spoke to BBC Match of the Day after victory against Crystal Palace: "I would say we played really good all game. We were 2-0 down and we created a lot and I said at half time we were playing good.

"Our momentum was sparked with a free-kick from Kevin and after that we played a really good game considering we were 2-0 down and considering how Crystal Palace have been in the past games."

On Kevin de Bruyne's performance: "The Kevin we have known for many years. I know he's struggled the last year and a half. He's free without pain and completely different. The way we played helped him a lot with incredible runners, the young lads, the full-backs."

On Ederson coming off: "I don't know. He made the pass and said he felt something and couldn't continue."

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Manchester City midfielder Kevin De Bruyne spoke to BBC Match of the Day after Saturday's victory against Crystal Palace: "I think we started well, had a couple of chances and out of nowhere we're 2-0 behind and it could have been three. The response was good. I thought overall we played pretty much a good game but we gave chances away and they pounced on it. The reaction was really good and in the end I think we deserved to win.

"I want to go away with a Champions League for this team because they deserve it. We've been in the Champions League for the nine, ten years that I've been here so I hope we can do that for the team next year and I'll just try to play good football like I've always done."

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Manchester City have scored 5+ goals in a single Premier League match on 63 different occasions, five more than any other team in the competition, with 39 of those coming under Pep Guardiola.

Were you at the game or following from elsewhere?

Have your say on Man City's performance

Crystal Palace fans, what did you make of their display?

Come back to this page on Monday to find a selection of your replies

Crystal Palace are a really well-balanced team who can cause Manchester City all sorts of problems with their 3-4-3 formation, even though Marc Guehi and Eddie Nketiah are suspended after being sent off against Brighton last week.

The Eagles are in better form than Pep Guardiola's side too, with four wins and a draw from their past five league games - City have only won twice in the same period.

I still cannot move away from a City win, however. I still expect them to win these kind of games at home, even if they are miles away from being the team they were 12 months ago.

We saw more evidence of that last week, because Sunday's Manchester derby was probably the dullest derby game I have ever watched.

You think about when Guardiola came over, and how he transformed the game. For years, City were so watchable.

Now, if they were playing in my back garden I would close the curtains - although that would be a bit harsh on Palace.

Sutton's prediction: 2-1

Read the full predictions and have your say

Five matches make up Saturday's Premier League action and BBC Sport will bring you every kick.

• Manchester City v Crystal Palace (12:30)

• Brighton v Leicester City

• Nottingham Forest v Everton

• Southampton v Aston Villa

• Arsenal v Brentford (17:30)

Kick-off times 15:00 BST unless stated

Follow all of the action and reaction here

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There are lots of different perspectives in terms of how you watch a game of football, and I think for the majority of time the people in the stadium get the best atmosphere, but the worst views of how a game has actually gone.

You don't really get the chance to see multiple replays and have discussions about things, because you just get caught up in the moment.

With the incoming semi automated offsides, they did promise it earlier in the season - but I think the caveat was they're only going to do it when it's ready.

It is a positive that they didn't do it when it wasn't ready.

One upside to to the new technology is some of the arguments disappear. Previously you could say 'but it looks like it's this to me' or 'it looks like it's that to me'. When it is presented now, there aren't many people that will then be looking at the animation, going back to the video, and then going down a proper conspiracy rabbit hole.

So, it ends more arguments, not all arguments, but more arguments.

I think people, as a consequence, will be more accepting of it.

But, I still do believe that there's things for people to understand, because it can't be used in every situation. There are certain decisions which can still be a little bit more complex, and there's certain times where human intervention will still need to be brought in.

I wouldn't say it's as clear as, say, goal line technology, but it's a step in the direction to where most people feel more comfortable accepting the outcome and the speed of it as well will be encouraged.

It's not to say that it's going to be instant. If you believe this is going to be perfect, and always extremely fast, ask yourself, why do you think that?

Unless somebody has told you that from PGMOL, then take it with a pinch of salt and you see how it goes.

I think it's something that many people have seen before so hopefully there will be fewer arguments.

But, because it's football, there'll always be something to argue about the end of the day.

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When Kevin de Bruyne arrived at Manchester City, criticism was levelled at the club and the recruitment for bringing in someone who was essentially a Premier League flop.

To become a player who has now gone down as one of the most iconic midfielders in Premier League history, and who will be in many all time league XIs, has been absolutely astonishing.

For me as a fan of the football club, to see some of the things that he's done while wearing the City shirt has been an absolute joy.

My academy connections will always drag me towards academy players being some of my favourites, but De Bruyne has been one of my favourite City players in my lifetime for the way that he plays and the fact that he's just so good.

There's some stuff that he does that only he could do. When you think about how good players have to be to play at the highest level, here's somebody that is at a level above that.

Some of his passes, his movement, his goals and his leadership have been astonishing and he seems to have enjoyed every single bit of it.

He's very much a Belgian Mancunian and credit to him for everything he has achieved in his time here.

He'll go down as being one of the best to ever do it and the fact that he's done it for City, for me, is a real joy because I've witnessed it all.

Nedum Onuoha was speaking to BBC Sport's Nat Hayward

Five English teams will qualify for next season's Champions League due to their position in the table.

Manchester City are sixth, a point behind Newcastle, who have a game in hand, and Chelsea, who don't.

Given City still have Southampton to play, plus Bournemouth, who are badly out of form, and Wolves, who have been fourth bottom for ages, it would still be a major surprise if Pep Guardiola's side missed out.

He does not quite see it like that.

"I don't agree" was his response to my positive question.

Guardiola pointed to the injuries that have decimated his squad this season and mean he is currently without Erling Haaland, plus defensive trio John Stones, Nathan Ake and Manuel Akanji for tomorrow's encounter with Crystal Palace.

I still think they will do it with a little bit to spare. But it is getting too close for comfort.

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League game against Crystal Palace (kick-off 12:30 BST).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Guardiola confirmed defensive trio Manuel Akanji, John Stones and Nathan Ake are "still injured" for Saturday's match.

• He is "really satisfied" with the way the injury issues have been handled: "It has happened all season. We adapt. You can see it as a problem or a challenge or a disaster, it could be worse."

• On what position he thinks is best for youngster Nico O'Reilly: "He's box-to-box so he has to be side to side. It's the same power. He's been performing really well and we're really pleased."

• Jack Grealish and Phil Foden "don't feel good" following incidents involving fans during last weekend's Manchester derby: "It's happening everywhere - it is a crazy world. Everything is happening all around the world - it is not just a sport issue. It is not about United, a specific club or department of football. It is happening everywhere, take a look around and you will realise. I think we aren't on the right path."

• On the summer transfer window: "I don't know what will happen. Of course the club is working but we won't have 45 players in the squad, it's not sustainable for the emotion of the team. Except Kevin [de Bruyne], they all have a contract and we will see how they behave and how we are. We're going to see."

Follow all of Friday's Premier League news conferences and the rest of the day's football news

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BBC Sport columnist Guillem Balague thinks Manchester City know Kevin De Bruyne is unable to have the same impact he once had and believes the midfielder could possibly retire once his contract at the club finishes.

Speaking on the latest Football Daily Euros League podcast about the Belgian, Balague said: "He's only 33, but for whatever reason he's got 20 minutes per game in him, even if he starts games, that's been recognised by Man City for a while.

"It's a sign for Man City that they fell asleep. Everyone will agree that they're still trying to get juice out of him and have a player that can win matches for them - that's not there anymore.

"It suggests everyone knows about that, he's not going to go to Italy, Spain, Germany. It will be the MLS or Saudi for him next if he doesn't retire.

"He's not stupid - the fact City haven't renewed his contract despite him considering the possibility of staying on is a sign of a player that has reached the top and can't go back to it anymore."

European football correspondent Kristof Terreur doesn't think retirement is an option for the 33-year-old, believing he has a big target.

"One thing he does have on his mind is the World Cup in 2026 - he wants to continue playing football, but all the juice is out of his body and he has become very injury prone, he said.

"He will pick a league [to play in] where there is less pressure and games where he might stay fit for the World Cup."

Listen to the full episode here

Manchester City have added Tottenham and Italy left-back Destiny Udogie, 22, to a shortlist of potential signings as they look to strengthen at full-back this summer. (Fabrizio Romano, external)

Want more transfer stories? Read Monday's full gossip column

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

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We asked you to tell us the one thing - good or bad - that nobody is talking about at Manchester City, but really should be.

Here are some of your replies:

Ashley: City are going through a restructuring process involving the players, coaches and senior staff - but the major restructure is for Guardiola. He needs support around him more than ever. I've always felt the backroom staff needs an upgrade, as we never replaced Arteta, Maresca or Borrell. I just hope that the changes already announced, with Hugo Viana and possibly Fernandinho joining the team, are positive inclusions.

Brian: We are in changing times at City, so will Rodri remain at the club? If Pep Guardiola was to leave, would Rodri go with him? I think this would impact greatly on our future planning.

Rhiannon: How badly Ederson's performances have dipped this season, plus our goalkeepers in general not being good enough. A summer rebuild is needed, including getting rid of unnecessary players. Ideally Florian Wirtz would come in as De Bruyne's replacement and Diogo Costa as Ederson's replacement. If we sign the right players, we will be back in the title race.

Trevor: When is John Stones going to come back from injury and what is his future at City?

Seb: Ilkay Gundogan isn't what he used to be.

Callum: Due to the poor season we are having, pretty much everyone has already forgotten what Manchester City have achieved in the past five years and more. City still have the Club World Cup to go for. If we win that and the FA Cup, then I reckon it has been an alright season. It wouldn't have been the best, but not the worst.

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Kevin de Bruyne's first ever appearance for Manchester City came against Crystal Palace as a 25th-minute substitute in September 2015.

He has since been involved in 12 goals against the Eagles, only having a hand in more against Southampton in the competition (14).

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Manchester City academy player Kian Noble says "it would be brilliant" to win the FA Youth Cup for the second consecutive season, as he prepares for Thursday's semi-final against Watford.

Speaking to BBC Radio Manchester's Mike Minay, Noble said: "Everyone knows how prestigious the tournament is, if we can win it for the second time it would be brilliant.

"It was our goal for the start of the season along with the league, it'd be a challenge but what an achievement it would be.

"I really think it's the biggest honour, the most prestigious honour. Everyone knows how big it is and how many good players have won the trophy - that's our real aim. Make sure we get past Watford and then it's onto the final."

The 18-year-old believes City is the ideal place for youngsters to learn their trade, and said: "It's the best club in the world to be at - how they approach everything.

"The amount of challenges and things set to keep improving, the academy director is brilliant at that. He wants us to strive every day to become the best version of ourselves.

"Does that mean at City? Not for all of us, it won't be, but certainly there's a goal and everyone can achieve that - the club and management staff are brilliant at that. People don't notice it and think there's a clear path, but there truly is a true structure and pathway for you."

One of Noble's coaches at the club is two-time Premier League winner Kolo Toure, and he says the Ivorian is "a brilliant" person to learn from.

"He's won everything, he's great - he works on the individual side, he was a top defender," added Noble. "I think 'what little nuances of the game can I get from him? What has he learnt that can help me?'

"That sort of stuff has been great, he's been great for my development.

"The intensity and energy he brings to every game, he's won the Premier League, but he's still shouting and getting the energy up every game, he's brilliant. His depth and knowledge of the game working under great managers, it's been brilliant to soak up that information."

Listen to the full interview on BBC Sounds

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It's going to be a very interesting next few months as Manchester City and the players will try and figure out what the future will look like individually and collectively.

I don't envision everybody leaving so it'll be interesting to see which players are keen to stay and which ones City decide to keep as well.

You have some players who've missed time with injury - like the likes of John Stones - but these are still pivotal characters, players and personalities within what City have achieved in recent years.

I would never say to offload people just because they have missed some time this year because a lot of players have missed game time this season.

Kevin De Bruyne announcing his departure is a big moment, and I'm sure it's not something he wanted to do but he wants to play more football.

You can't necessarily just replace some of the players who have been so influential for the club across those last few years so I can't think of people who you would say have to be leaving this summer.

The season will never finish for City because of the Club World Cup so it will be interesting to see how they approach it and whether they need new additions for it.

De Bruyne leaves a big hole so I don't think you'd want to be releasing too much talent of that level of influence from the football club if you want to be successful long term.

Some of the players who are out of contract this summer and next summer - Stones, Bernardo Silva, Ederson - are a big part of City's success over the last five, 10 years.

I don't think there is going to be a mass exodus and I don't think the club in a year's time is going to look completely different to what it looks like right now.

Nedum Onuoha was speaking to BBC Sport's Nat Hayward