This game will either finish 0-0, or Manchester City will score an absolutely brilliant goal. Some of their intricate passing is top drawer so far as they pick and probe at the Palace back eight. This time they free Jesus Navas but again he has nobody in the middle and the move falls down.

Brilliant, absolutely brilliant one-two from Yaya Toure and Aleksandar Kolarov. Toure's return pass is a thing of beauty, but when the cross reaches him again he fires over the top.

Without labouring the point, you have to think that Sergio Aguero or Edin Dzeko would have been waiting for a simple pull-back...

Former England captain Jimmy Armfield
BBC Radio 5 live at the Etihad Stadium

Image source, AFP

"Really clever touches from some of the Manchester City forward players there. We've seen two excellent moves, and three or four times they have laid the ball off to the edge of the area for the shot. All I can say is that they are getting closer."

The good and the bad of this Manchester City system. Wonderful work on the edge of the box frees David Silva on the left of the penalty area, but there is nobody in the middle for the cross. Silva has to come back out and Yaya Toure drills over. Entertaining start.

David Silva then pokes wide after fine play from Samir Nasri again!

Allan Abbas: City must be regretting why they let Alvaro Negredo go. You cant have enough of good things

Tom Miszkowski: Think Palace could be a threat to City today. City missing the likes of Kompany, Aguero & Lampard from the spine of their team

Get in touch using #bbcfootball, external on Twitter, text us on 81111 (UK only), or post a comment on the BBC Sport Facebook, external or Google+ page., external

Former England captain Jimmy Armfield
BBC Radio 5 live at the Etihad Stadium

Image source, Reuters

"Fraizer Campbell was onside (see 19 mins), and that all came from Manchester City not winning the first header. When Mile Jedinak's flick-on came into the six-yard box, Campbell actually took the hard option - he could have brought the ball down."

This is a really lively spell for Palace as now James McArthur drives through a hesitant defence to win a free-kick. Mile Jedinak's delivery is dangerous and Yaya Toure has to stretch to head clear. Nervous energy inside the Etihad.

Image source, Getty Images

More good goalkeeping from Joe Hart as he beats away a corner at the near post before Yannick Bolasie shows great pace again, forcing Eliaquim Mangala into a messy challenge.

And then a great effort from Fraizer Campbell! The former Manchester United man launches into an overhead kick a City fail to clear their lines, but he gets his angles wrong and puts it wide. Fine try!

Image source, Getty Images

As this graphic shows, Manchester City look well balanced this afternoon despite playing without a recognised striker. As for Crystal Palace, everything is going through Yannick Bolasie on the left.

Image source, Opta

Former England captain Jimmy Armfield
BBC Radio 5 live at the Etihad Stadium

"A nice bit of play from Yannick Bolasie on the left fashioned the opening, but the Manchester City defenders managed to clear the ball. City haven't quite worked this game out yet. There have been a couple of near efforts from Samir Nasri and James Milner is working hard up front but he is not quite the same as a target man."

Palace's first attack since the opening 90 seconds and it's great feet from Yannick Bolasie, beating Pablo Zabaleta to drive in a dangerous cross which Joe Hart does really well to smother. Top work from the England keeper.

Image source, PA

Derby have the lead! Former Canary Chris Martin does the damage down the right with a strong run and pullback before Johnny Russell arrives to stab into the net.

Image source, Getty Images

There are already signs that this could be a frustrating afternoon for Manchester City. Crystal Palace have 10 men behind the ball at all times and are asking the question- can you break us down?

Sergio Aguero and Edin Dzeko are both watching on from the stands as they recover from injuries. City need them back fast.

Aguero is with his child - who is the son of Aguero and the grandson of Diego Maradona. Some genes!

Image source, Getty Images

Andrew, Richhill: Sheikh Mansour has spent close to £1 Billion in buying and building this Manchester City team, only to have James Milner playing upfront! Value for money?

Steve Huish, Surbiton: City fighting back. If you think some weeks ago they were 8 points adrift of Chelsea, a win today and City are level with Chelsea. Come on City.

Get in touch using #bbcfootball, external on Twitter, text us on 81111 (UK only), or post a comment on the BBC Sport Facebook, external or Google+ page., external

Former England captain Jimmy Armfield
BBC Radio 5 live at the Etihad Stadium

"Crystal Palace had eight players behind the ball there (see 8 mins), almost all in the penalty box. They forced City to keep playing it sideways. City were always looking for the shot from the edge of the box, but Fernandinho's shot was way over."

Steady start from the champions as they look to break down a well-drilled Palace backline. Samir Nasri looks the pick of the bunch in these early stages, he's popping up everywhere. He's involved in a lengthy passing move on the edge of the box which ends with Fernandinho side-footing over from 20 yards.

Norwich have the ball in the net but the goal is ruled out. Alexander Tettey's left-footed effort beat Lee Grant but only after a dummy from Cameron Jerome who was standing in an offside position.

Former England captain Jimmy Armfield
BBC Radio 5 live at the Etihad Stadium

"Samir Nasri came in late then (see 3 mins) but Pablo Zabaleta's pull-back was just slightly behind him. Crystal Palace will have to watch those City players running into the penalty area from deep. Sometimes they are very difficult to mark."

Jimmy's joining Conor McNamara in the commentary box today. You can listen using the Live Coverage tab at the top of this page.

Matt in London: All the build up talk of Man City and how they will cope without a striker, no one even thinking about how Palace might perform. Hopefully, City will be in a similar mindset, and will be so focused on their own side that they will overlook a Palace team that is starting to look balanced, and very effective out wide and on the counter. Everyone yet to realise the upset potential here...

Steven, Ayr: Inspired to have Milner up top will offer work rate that Silva wouldn't. If he scores can Liverpool have him on loan to replace Balotelli???

Get in touch using #bbcfootball, external on Twitter, text us on 81111 (UK only), or post a comment on the BBC Sport Facebook, external or Google+ page., external