Crystal Palace v Man City as it happened

1. Fourth-placed City nine points behind Chelsea
2. Palace leapfrog Everton in 11th
3. Murray netted from close range & Puncheon with fine free-kick
4. Toure curled in from edge of area to reduce deficit
5. Elsewhere, Malky Mackay sacked as Wigan manager

Goodnight

Zaha in the England squad? Manuel Pellegrini under serious pressure? Alan Pardew a messiah? Who next in charge at Wigan Athletic? Where now for relegated Blackpool?

Not a bad night of it eh?

As Liverpool's captain said roughly this time last year: "we go again". And we will go again tomorrow morning with Sportsday collating reaction on the BBC Sport website from 08:00 BST.

"We go again." Any point Jose? You cheeky devil you.

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Thanks for all your tweets and texts tonight, keep abreast of our football page for reaction pieces.

BBC Radio 5 live

BBC Radio 5 live's Jonathan Overend: "Selhurst Park is almost deserted but I've just seen England manager Roy Hodgson walking by the side of the pitch and Wilfried Zaha coming the other way. They stopped, shook hands and had a fairly long conversation."

Zaha in the next England squad?

Manager reaction

Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini, talking to BBC Radio 5 live: "I felt we played very well, we dominated the game and played like the way I like this team to play. But we're very disappointed with the score. I don't want to analyse the referee's decision. When you do that you're trying to find excuses for your defeat. In this this case he was not a good referee for us. We have to play seven games more. The way we played today we are going to win more than lose."

The decision Pellegrini references is the run up to the opening goal when Palace players were offside not once but twice.

Manchester City's standing as champions should surely not be sensationalised too much, they are still technically challenging for the title after all.

But this is the first time since 15 September they have fallen out of the top three in the league.

BBC

Manager reaction

Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini talking to BBC Radio 5 live on whether his side can still win the Premier League: "The only thing we can do is win our games. We must try and add the most amount of points we can and see who is first, second, third and fourth."

Player reaction

Crystal Palace top scorer Dwight Gayle tweets: Great result and performance by the lads today Glenn Murray is on flames.

Manager reaction

Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini talks to Sky Sports: "For today at least I am very happy with the team played but very disappointed with the score. We have lost our last three games away and we were the best up until Christmas. I think I said two or three weeks ago all we can do is try to add the most amount of points we can in our seven games and we will see who is first, second, third and fourth. It will be very tight and normally you only have one or two points in it."

David Pleat

BBC Radio 5 live at Selhurst Park

"Whether Manuel Pellegrini stays or goes Mr Mansour is not going to be happy because under financial fair play they have spent a hell of a lot of money on players. I feel Jesus Navas just doesn't do enough for them. City are an ageing side and transfer fees are going to recede."

In 40 club appearances this season, Navas has one goal. He delivered 17 crosses tonight, seven were deemed 'good' by statisticians Opta. He leads the way with deliveries by some margin for City as Gael Clichy and Samir Nasri were second on four each.

Blue times for Sergio

Sergio Aguero had the net rippling at will on times this season and on 17, is still just two goals shy of Diego Costa and Harry Kane in the race for top scorer in the Premier League.

But celebrations have turned to questions for both him and his team mates. They have now lost seven of 14 games since 10 January and he has not scored in 556 minutes.

AP

Manager reaction

Crystal Palace manager Alan Pardew tells BBC Radio 5 live: "The game had a slightly warped feel to it. We got to half time and I felt we needed to make sure we capitalised as Manchester City were going to be under pressure for the last 20 minutes. But we managed to get a second goal. We had some really scary moments and we had to dig in and work hard. The character was strong tonight. We are in top-four form."

GET INVOLVED

Andrew Neill: Alan Pardew to Manchester City?

Jason Utting: The biggest winners tonight are Arsenal, they have the momentum and are the form team in Europe!

Eamonn McGurk: His personality and antics may divide opinion but Alan Pardew is clearly a good manager.

Alan Pardew on Glenn Murray's performance

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"We told him he'd have to win his headers and buy us some fouls against two big centre halves and he did that for us. He was excellent. He should have been in the Premier League years ago but he's had a real tough time with injuries and he's getting the reward now for the qualities he has."

Manager reaction

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Crystal Palace manager Alan Pardew talking to Sky Sports: "For us, it was a huge night with the champions coming knowing they are under pressure. We didn't see enough of the ball and our wide players were a little ineffective but we were diligent and hard-working and got through with two quality moments.

"We just had to lean on our character tonight but we have some really good pros and that showed. In previous games we've shown more flair and exuberance but today was about the old traits that Tony (Pulis) leant on last year - the resilience and character - and it was just a shame that we didn't have enough offensive moments.

"We gave a good description of what Palace is tonight. We've got three games before we play the big boys again and we could still be involved in some defining moments but we hope to pick up some points before then and keep creeping up the league if we can."

David Pleat

BBC Radio 5 live at Selhurst Park

"Is Alan Pardew English by any chance? That's a great credit to the coaching fraternity in this country and often gets overlooked. Palace worked so hard, particularly their front players, who were having to do some dirty work tonight."

Pardew told BBC Radio 5 live on Sunday that he gets frustrated English talent gets overlooked for top jobs. We are about to hear from him again...

Former Crystal Palace captain Geoff Thomas: Tremendous result for Crystal Palace. Ok they had a bit of luck but that's what you need against the big boys. Sunday now huge for Manchester City at Old Trafford."

Away day blues

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Gary Lineker

Former England captain

"Seven games to go and Manchester United are above Manchester City. Who could've envisaged that a few months ago? Enthralling game. Wonderfully resilient, disciplined, gutsy performance from Crystal Palace."

Saviour Pardew

The boxing world tunes into the football world and cruiserweight Tony Bellew has his say on Twitter:

Tony Bellew Twitter

David Pleat

BBC Radio 5 live at Selhurst Park

"There is is a great spirit at Crystal Palace. Great credit to them, I thought they fought like demons to defend their goal."

Former Crystal Palace striker Ian Wright: Super super Al super super Al super super Al super Alan Pardew.

If only possession meant points...

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James McArthur played as many passes as any Palace player tonight - 27 - and kept it 82% of the time.

Every City starter except for Edin Dzeko (52%) and Joe Hart (71%) completed 80% ore more of their passes.

In all the champions passed 665 times to 237 by Alan Pardew's side. We are about to hear from Pardew who now has 22 points from 33 since taking charge of the club he once played for.

GET INVOLVED

Howard Horner: Man City are nowhere near as good as they think they are. Fourth in the table is where they deserve to be.

Mustafa Bux: Manuel Pellegrin should be sacked, effective immediately, tonight.

Kunal Gupta: Man City to miss out on the top four?

David Pleat

BBC Radio 5 live at Selhurst Park

"Manchester City worked hard but just couldn't prize out an opening. City are always trying to score the perfect goal and walk the ball into the net. Sometimes you have to score ugly."

It is hard to criticise Manchester City tonight. They pushed, probed, shot and got done twice. The first goal offside (twice), the second a superb free-kick.

Opta

City had 22 attempts to Palace's five, 13 corners to the home four, yet find themselves looking up the table at three sides after a third straight away league defeat.

Crystal Palace striker Fraizer Campbell tweets: Great win boys! Definitely should have a better home record than we do especially with our crowd! Delighted.

Robbie Savage

BBC Sport

"Some game at the weekend now, you have got to fancy Manchester United. They're playing very, very well."

What do Manchester City fans make of this? They go into the weekend's Manchester derby behind Manchester United in the Premier League table. City are fourth. That seemed unthinkable at Christmas.

FULL-TIME

Reuters

As this live text said when it started - Selhurst Park is the graveyard of title hopes.

Joe Hart looks angrier than a kid with no Easter eggs, David Silva looks like he won't smile for a week. Vincent Kompany has taken his shirt off and looks like he might just start a fight with himself. The visiting dressing room will be a glum place.

Samir Nasri can only prod a pass forward into the hands of Speroni. City going out with a whimper here. Where is the fat lady? She is singing and wearing a Chelsea shirt.

Lampard is robbed by Joe Ledley, another huge home roar. Joel Ward hacks clear, this is his 100th Palace appearance and will end with victory will it? They cling on, 60 seconds.

Bacary Sagna gives the ball away but the clearance is nowhere and City will come back for more. Martin Demichelis is 35 yards from goal, into Nasri, to Silva, striped shirts clumped together to deny space. His only option is Clichy wide but Speroni plucks the cross from the air to a huge roar.

PA

Martin Demichelis is now almost playing as a deep midfielder to start attacks as City commit everything forward, David Silva through the eye of a needle but Speroni slides out before City can get in behind.

We will have four added minutes.

David Pleat

BBC Radio 5 live at Selhurst Park

"Wilfried Zaha, Yannick Bolasie and Glenn Murray - the three front players who have done all the chasing and racing and shown defensive qualities too - have all run out of pace and been replaced. Palace are sensing a famous victory."

CLOSE!

Every Crystal Palace player except Sanogo is behind the ball. Space is at a premium to say the least as they sit deep. Here is James Milner trying to forge crossing space, he does but no one can turn in what is a superb ball across goal.

SUBSTITUTION

James Milner on for Fernandinho whose foul led to Palace's second from Jason Puncheon's free-kick. Dwight Gayle is on for Wilfried Zaha.

Did you know Manchester City have used every substitution available in all of their 43 competitive matches this season? Their substitutes have contributed 16 goals and assists this season in the league, more than any other team.

CLOSE!

Manchester City attack down the left, into Frank Lampard 28 yards out, touch, volley from Samir Nasri deflects wide.

This is intense stuff from the visitors, Palace cannot get out and Yaya Toure fronts up his man, shifts a yard of space and shoots... deflected again... brilliantly tipped over by Speroni.

PA

SUBSTITUTION

Selhurst Park on its feet for the bulldozing, rhino-like display of Glenn Murray.

He has battered his way to success tonight and departs for Yaya Sanogo.

GET INVOLVED

Dan Wade: The weekend of wonder strikes continues... what a hit by Yaya!

Jeremiah Kariuki: An absolute cracker from Yaya Toure! The game has just began!

lfcway: So Yaya Toure was on the pitch?

GET INVOLVED

Paddy from Sheffield: Bournemouth were 2-0 down to Birmingham, then look what happened, nothing is ever predictable in football and I doubt this will end 2-0.

Tim in Marlow: What a turn-up this could be. After de-railing Liverpool's charge last season and helping to hand the title to City, Palace could now be breathing fresh life into Liverpool's Champions League chase at the expense of the Blues!

CLOSE!

It took Manchester City 19 attempts to score but that goal could be priceless, though they have little time to stand and admire it.

They have to push on again and try to get Sergio Aguero in behind, brilliant interception by Scott Dann on the slide.

Yaya Toure, to David Silva, to Samir Nasri, 25 yards has a dig... deflects a foot wide.

David Pleat

BBC Radio 5 live at Selhurst Park

Reuters

"That was a magnificent shot. I think Sergio Aguero may just have touched it. It was low and to the right of Speroni's leap. The keeper could not do anything about it at all. Yaya Toure is playing well forward now."

GOAL

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And there goes that clean sheet. Pick this out by the way.

Samir Nasri, on the field a matter of seconds, gets a cross in and a hurried clearance falls to Yaya Toure on the edge of the box. He unleashes a left-footed rocket which is beyond Speroni before he dives.

Hello...

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Some hope for Manchester City fans...

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SUBSTITUTION

It's Samir Nasri for Jesus Navas in the latest twist of the arm for Manuel Pellegrini.

CLOSE!

David Silva pounces on a loose ball just outside the area, a first-time pass to Fernandinho who puts his head down, burrows, shooting space... brilliant clearance off the line.

It's James' McArthur racing back onto his own line and dangling a leg at it. Somehow it goes over the bar. That had own goal written all over it. This is looking more and more like Chelsea's... sorry I mean Crystal Palace's night.

Another Manchester City corner. The pressure is building...

GET INVOLVED

Aidan Williams: Congratulations on the title Chelsea! But even more so well done Alan Pardew. Superb what he's done with Palace.

Debisi: Full respect to Alan Pardew as a manager. He's turned Palace into a team with belief! No one but him saw this scoreline coming.

Trent Mohan: Surely Alan Pardrew will be in the top contenders for manager of the year this year, the same as Tony Pullis last season.

PENALTY APPEAL

Huge shouts for handball in the Crystal Palace penalty area, it's the man in the thick of everything, Glenn Murray. Fernandinho's volley is blocked but still heading towards goal when it taps against the striker's hand. He is lucky. Very lucky.

YELLOW CARD

PA

Martin Demichelis goes into the book for a pull back on halfway. An obvious yellow. Glenn Murray has a volley but the flag is up. For what it's worth, Joe Hart saved brilliantly.

SUBSTITUTION

It is Frank Lampard for Edin Dzeko. The first change of the match and boy does it need to come up trumps for Manuel Pellegrini.

Dzeko is not happy. Can he complain? A total of 26 passes, just 54% found a City player. No shots on goal.

PA

CLOSE!

We have what seems like an object being thrown from the crowd as Jason Puncehon prepares to take a corner.

A delay, but here it comes. It's an in-swinger and nearly does just that - swing straight in. Joe Hart has to dive to stop the delivery from creeping in at the near post.

David Pleat

BBC Radio 5 live at Selhurst Park

"I don't think Chelsea are going to get overtaken now. City have got to score three goals and they don't look like doing that."

Gary Lineker

BBC Sport

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"Palace still Puncheon well above their weight."

If you ever wondered how you get the Match of the Day presenter gig, this is the kind of magic required.

CLOSE!

A crunching 50-50 between Martin Demichelis and Wilfired Zaha typifies the commitment on show here. It gives Manuel Pellegrini's side the chance to launch a direct ball at Edin Dzeko. He chests it down, glued to him, can he volley? No. A good interception at the last moment by the home side.

Frank Lampard is lacing his boots up.

Soaring Eagles

They are a tireless, plucky, stubborn bunch at Selhurst Park but this is not familiar territory for them.

The Eagles love nothing more than a turnaround and have collected 18 points from losing positions this season - no side has won more from behind in the Premier League.

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With Glenn Murray bouncing from a ratio of one goal in 19 to five in five, the sky is the limit.

David Pleat

BBC Radio 5 live at Selhurst Park

"I can't believe Manuel Pellegrini hasn't made a change yet."

CLOSE!

Julian Speroni waves it goodbye... goal... no.

Yaya Toure's curling free-kick is narrowly over the bar.

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City surge forward and David Silva is orchestrating centrally, he dinks a ball through for Yaya Toure but Crystal Palace are narrow, swarming the ball like bees around honey.

The same set-up again as Sergio Aguero looks for a pass but Jason Puncheon hand balls. A good area for a dig...

GET INVOLVED

Andrew: All of a sudden the Premier League table suddenly looks rosy for Manchester United fans! What a difference a month makes!

Sam in London: Man City look like a team short of confidence in defence and attack. Man United will fancy their chance in the Manchester derby on Sunday.

Reuters

Hello. Vincent Kompany's number is up, he's going off is he? No. He shakes his head and the board goes down. Fourth official Lee Probert is having words with Manuel Pellegrini.

Now then, what can Manchester City find, they have Sergio Aguero on the ball, he runs, beats a man and has space but his shot is blocked. Jesus Navas can size one up, he cuts one back for Yaya Toure... cue the jeers. That ball is heading to north London.

David Pleat

BBC Radio 5 live at Selhurst Park

"That's a massive psychological blow for City. The wall jumped a shade but the execution of Jason Puncheon was superb. What on earth was Fernandinho thinking in conceding that free-kick? Can City get three goals in 40 minutes? What a test for the big boys from Manchester. I feel the stage is set for Frank Lampard."

BBC

The lone striker can also kind of claim an assist as he did the business to win the free-kick for Palace's second.

GOAL

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Glenn Murray with the brute force, Jason Puncheon with the killer touch.

A stunning left-footed free-kick is over the wall from 20 yards and curling away from Joe Hart who dives from right to left across goal but can get none of it as the leather nestles in the side netting.

On a weekend of stunning goals, this may not get the re-runs it deserves. Then again, it could settle the title race...

AP

I was just giving Glenn Murray stick for poor passing but who needs accuracy when you can just bludgeon your way through tackles to win a free-kick 20 yards out?

KICK-OFF

Here we go then. A crucial 45 minutes ahead. Use all the typcial football cliche words: huge, massive, etc.

@fizzer18

If Scott Dann can help Palace to a clean sheet, Manchester City and Manuel Pellegrini are in big trouble.

Championship catch-up

Wigan Athletic Supporters Club spokesperson Caroline Molyneux tells BBC Radio 5 live: "I think it is a popular decision among the fans. I don't think anyone who is going to come in is going to be able to change what is going to happen, everyone is pretty much resigned to the fact that mission impossible is pretty much impossible. Paul Jewell is being mentioned (as a replacement). That would be a popular decision."

19% pass completion... and a goal!

Glenn Murray's goal will cover up a number of sins in that first half.

The striker has completed just 19% of his 16 passes, that is not a figure you see too often. The pass king in that opening period is Martin Demichelis (94%) but excluding defenders, Fernandinho is out ahead on 92%.

GET INVOLVED

Peter from Larne: Yet another strange team selection from Manuel Pellegrini. Pablo Zabalata should start, Jesus Navas's final ball is woeful and Gael Clichy is simply not good enough.

Lawrie from Newhaven: Last season Crystal Palace started badly, changed manager and climbed the table ending up destroying a team's title hopes..... Deja vu anyone?

Ewan from Buntingford: People saying the title race will be over if Man City don't win this evening, what about Arsenal? Chelsea still have to go to the Emirates and Arsenal are the form team at the moment.

Championship catch-up

Matt Salisbury: Nice of Wigan Athletic trying to deflect attention away from Blackpool as the laughing stock of the North West.

Mackay was sacked following Monday's 2-0 home defeat by Derby County, a result that leaves the Latics eight points adrift of safety with five games left.

Championship catch-up

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Former Blackpool player Charlie Adam on Twitter: "Gutted to see Blackpool relegated today. It's a special club with great supporters and I know they will be back."

Championship catch-up

Blackpool legend Jimmy Armfield tells BBC Radio 5 live: "The club have made statements in the past few weeks that they are preparing for life in the third tier. They started the season off with a small number of players and they have never recovered from that. It's not good."

Half-time stats

Ten shots, 73% of the ball, 36% of the play in Crystal Palace's area.

If football was a numbers game it would be boring.

Opta

David Pleat

BBC Radio 5 live at Selhurst Park

Reuters

"It was a genuine goal and Crystal Palace can take credit for that. Their game management has been so good. There is always a threat when you have got pacey front wide men. Even though David Silva has been pulling the strings, Manchester City haven't been able to penetrate."

GET INVOLVED

AP

Clarke: Newcastle fans pleading for Alan Pardew to leave look slightly silly now!

Montymadman: Please don't sack Manuel Pellegrini. The last thing Man City need is another manager. Give him time.

Rich: Can't understand why Manuel Pellegrini perseveres with Jesus Navas. I'm convinced he wouldn't get a kick for any of the other top four clubs.

HALF-TIME

Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany and goalkeeper Joe Hart are straight over to Michael Oliver as the whistle blows for the interval, no guessing what for, the offside call (or should we say calls).

Glenn Murray's goal, it's controversial nature and the fact it arrived against a run of intense City pressure perhaps proves that the champions' luck is out for this season.

Sergio Aguero smacked the woodwork with City's best effort. They need more or Chelsea are in dream land.

Manchester City have had 73% of the ball and ten attempts on goal so far to the home side's three.

Football can be cruel.

Gary Lineker

Gael Clichy gestured to the officials that there were two offsides in the run up to the opening goal and it looks like he is bang on.

Scott Dann looks to have strayed from Ledley's flick on and scorer Glenn Murray is also off after Dann shoots.

YELLOW CARD

Damien Delaney is in the book for a hack on Sergio Aguero. The free-kick for City yields a corner and Martin Demichelis volleys over at the back stick.

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The Earls of Jeffs: Oh my days, Man City! This is why I don't have any of your defence on Fantasy Football!

Nate E: The most unpredictable league on planet earth.

Chris Smith: Palace you beauty.

Wow. Catch your breath because we have an occasion on our hands now. Sergio Aguero picks up a David Silva flick in the area but cannot weave shooting space.

Blackpool and Wigan fans stay with us, plenty coming on your teams at half-time.

That was the type of direct stuff which did for Liverpool at Selhurst Park late last season. Why play 50 passes when you can make one count?

It was a simple finish for Murray as he rushed in to turn home from six yards. Harsh on Joe Hart who spread himself brilliantly to deny Scott Dann with his legs.

Jose Mourinho just threw his Easter egg into the air.

David Pleat

BBC Radio 5 live at Selhurst Park

AP

"Quite amazing. We have seen Manchester City dominate the ball but Palace will defend deeper now and Manchester City will have to work even harder."

GOAL

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"Get on Zaha," shouts Joe Hart as City defend a corner. Do they? NO. GOAL. Glenn Murray!

City got the ball clear comfortably but the home side went for the quick recycle and lashed one back in the mixer. Joe Ledley was there to flick it on into the 18 yard box, Scott Dann shot, Joe Hart saved, Murray tapped in.

CLOSE!

Crystal Palace need the ball to go out or a stoppage, they are like a boxer swaying.

Vincent Kompany with a knockout blow... no. His header is hacked from the goal line with bodies lined up to turn it in. Here they come again, this round is not over for Palace... AGUERO... prods over from 12 yards.

He went for the Bobby Zamora outside of the boot finish after being slid into some shooting space.

The drum beats somewhere in Crystal Palace's home support but it's just a backing tune for City waves of attack at the moment.

A short corner, fizzed across goal by Jesus Navas, prodded behind again.

They are huffing and puffing, door not yet blown down.

GREAT SAVE!

Joel Ward has a strapping on his left wrist, probably covering an expensive tattoo, he has his hands full but has dealt well with Gael Clichy down Manchester City's left. This time City push down the right, Sagna into Toure, David Silva shoots... well saved by Julian Speroni.

It took a slight deflection but the keeper was tested from 25 yards and had to dive low to his right.

GET INVOLVED

Van Gaal: Manuel Pelligrini is too stubborn, 4-4-2 doesn't work against big teams so why not experiment to prevent future losses?

Mathew Penistone: Even Mike Bassett tried something else! Maybe spend less time moaning about not being able to spend Manuel and more on tactics!

Jeet Padaruth: Man City are lacking in confidence. Such tentative attacking play. A shadow of the title winning side.

Pick this apart...

For the tacticians among you, where will the key area be tonight?

Opta

Can Manchester City's back four handle the energetic three - Bolasie, Zaha and Puncheon as they buzz around Murray?

David Silva is not really occupying that left-wing spot as you may expect, he is drifting, influencing and probing. His whereabouts will fill the minds of James McArthur and Joe Ledley.

A nice battle emerging between Martin Demichelis and Murray. The latter is charged in the back by the defender on halfway, Palace free-kick.

Palace a diamond fixture for City

Crystal Palace may well have played the grim reaper on Liverpool's title challenge last season but Manchester City may not hold too much fear over a trip to Selhurst Park.

Should the home side lose tonight, they will set a Premier League record for most consecutive defeats against a single opponent.

BBC

The last time Palace beat City came in 2001 - December to be exact. It finished 2-1 and I'll give you all my chocolate eggs if you can name the three scorers. Answers in 10 minutes.

There is a ferocity to this and as a Crystal Palace attack is ended with a questionable challenge, City spring but their momentum is ended as Yaya Toure is nudged off the ball by Jason Puncheon near the area.

Plenty of endeavour everywhere and goals imminent you feel...

GET INVOLVED

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Colin Todd: Any team that starts with Bacary Sagna is asking for trouble.

Fissuh Kelelom: I will be really surprised if Crystal Palace get a better chance than the one just wasted. What a chance!

David Pleat

BBC Radio 5 live at Selhurst Park

"The keeper would have had no chance with that. Palace were just fortunate the ball didn't come back off the post into the net."

HITS THE WOODWORK

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David Silva finds some space for the first time but quickly shifts one into the feet of Sergio Aguero 18 yards out. The striped shirts rush to shut him down, he shifts it a yard right and crack... foot of the post.

A great hit, limited back lift, plenty of power, Speroni barely moved.

PA

Navas pierces Crystal Palace's midfield to find Fernandinho between the lines, he caresses one on to Silva but a foul halts momentum. The champions have it back though and Gael Clichy can cross can he? No. Admirable back-tracking from Wilfried Zaha.

Work ethic aplenty from he home side. Neat touches on offer everywhere from City's usual creators.

That is one very good chance apiece. David Silva and Wilfried Zaha would have bitten a hand off to get chances like that before kick-off.

City have had around 63% of the ball so far but it's an even start in terms of territory.

The ball is like a pin ball in the Palace area briefly but as Fernandinho runs on to the loose ball 20 yards out his effort is Sunday League, hooked wide.

David Pleat

BBC Radio 5 live at Selhurst Park

"It was a terrific kick by Joe Hart that led to that chance. The shot came in from David Silva and it literally struck Julian Speroni and veered over the bar."

GREAT SAVE!

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Joel Ward pumps a free-kick forward and City deal with it admirably, here comes the break away, brilliantly launched by Joe Hart's kick. Sergio Aguero is around Julian Speroni but forced wide... into the feet of David Silva, touch, BANG... brilliantly saved by the keeper.

The Palace stopper was rushing back into his goal and uses his shoulder to deflect over as Silva strikes from 12 yards.

Joe Ledley is deep in the Palace midfield and turns a ball around the corner to Jason Puncheon who shows strength and ballerina feet to keep possession but a cross-field pass is eventually wayward.

This trio of Wilfried Zaha, Jason Puncheon and Yannick Bolasie have some serious pace and power behind Glenn Murray.

Now David Silva has it, another ballerina, clipped pass... too much on it, goal kick.

Scott Dann on the cover and in timely fashion as Yaya Toure looks to sneak in on a through ball in the heart of the Crystal Palace area. Toure is surely the type of player who should never 'ghost in' to score. A colossus as Bill Shankly would probably say.

Alan's blue nightmare

Alan Pardew and his staff will have bags aplenty on the bench tonight and maybe, just maybe, he will have an abacus to hand. Why?

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In his last eight meetings with Manchester City, the 53-year-old has been driven mad, losing by an aggregate score of 23-3.

David Silva, Yaya Toure, wide to Gael Clichy but his cross is thumped away. Back come Manchester City through Aguero, surging, he wants shooting space but gets squeezed out. Good defending. A good positive start at both ends.

David Pleat

BBC Radio 5 live at Selhurst Park

"There won't be a better move all night. There was no offside flag at all. It's a chance missed at the back post. It would be a great scalp for Crystal Palace and Alan Pardew if they can defeat Manchester City. If they win at home again they will be making a real statement. Maybe they will be able to attract top players here next season."

CLOSE!

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What a chance. I'll say it again, what a chance.

Martin Kelly takes up a wide position for Palace and gets the ball near the angle of the 18-yard box, a first-time cross low across goal is begging to be finished, Jason puncheon has a go, air shot, Wilfried Zaha has a go, over.

He was six yards out, racing in from the right to meet it. It was a stretch but still, a golden chance.

KICK-OFF

We are under way and Joel Ward whacks a clearance out for a throw in off Edin Dzeko. As both sides go direct with early passes. No tippy, tappy early on, territory game.

'We can undo anyone'

Crystal Palace manger Alan Pardew talks to Sky Sports: "It's a dangerous game for us. If we haven't got that hunger and concentration we'll get embarrassed.

"I don't expect that to happen because of how strong the group is.

"We can have flurries, 10-minute spells when we can undo anyone. We're going to need three or four of them tonight."

From the tunnel, the teams

Here come the sides.

"I'm feeling, glad all over," sing the home faithful as the PA system belts out the club's welcome anthem. City look business like as they emerge with their traditional sky blue tracksuit tops on.

David Silva is stretching, no sign of his magic wand yet. He limbers up his arms. His feet will more likely do the talking.

'We will fight for the title until the end'

Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini: "We need to win today. Our only target is to win our games. If Chelsea drop points, we'll fight for the title until the end."

'They have to be strong'

David Pleat

Former Tottenham manager on BBC Radio 5 live:

Former Tottenham manager David Pleat on BBC Radio 5live: "Palace will be buoyed by their recent form and will be relaxed, but that can work for you or against you.

"It won't be an easy game for Manchester City that's for sure. If they have any chance of winning the title they have to win games like this. They have to be strong.

"And while they've got David Silva in their side they've always got a chance. I always enjoy watching him and I'll enjoy watching him again tonight."

Game on... (nearly)

The players have just trotted in for a final chat before kick-off.

Warm-up drills done, talking over, pressure on, let's go.

Chelsea champions by 22:00 BST?

Pardew Power

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Crystal Palace manager Alan Pardew tells BBC Radio 5 live: "It's a difficult game, but we're in good form. We have a points total which gives us a bit of respite, we need points but tonight is not essential.

"This (City team) is the basis the team that won the Premier League last year. It's a tough test.

"Edin Dzeko did well here last year, they tell me although I wasn't the manager then, and he'll be buoyed by that. There's certainly a lot attacking flair on the pitch. You can't see 0-0 that's for sure."

City's capital punishment

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It has been nearly a year since Manchester City have won in London - a 2-0 triumph at Selhurst Park.

The capital has given up just three draws and a defeat at West Ham this season.

What is it about London that make City come over all wobbly legged these days? Not enough gravy, too many champagne bars?

GET INVOLVED

Speaking of sackings, our debate on whether Manchester City should part company with Manuel Pellegrini should they not win the Premier League is now also open on the BBC Sport Facebook page.

Colin Cranmer: No they shouldn't, coming from a City fan, bring a few in, in the summer and we'll get it back again.

Casey Slater: David Moyes , and i'm definitely not a Man Utd fan...

We think you are Casey.

Harry Ewbank: Pellegrini should go but while Guardiola has a job there will be no one who can win them the Champions League or a treble.

John Motson

BBC Match of the Day commentator

"The key result today was probably Rotherham winning and that has maybe put survival beyond Wigan.

"They punched above their weight for many years under Roberto Martinez getting to the FA Cup final. But they have gone through this strange phase of going through four managers.

"They have obviously decided that they want to start again but whoever takes over will be doing it in League One."

Ian Dennis

BBC Radio 5 live

"The fact is Malky Mackay's failed to win a home game since he won at November. If Wigan are trying to cling onto any hope of holding onto their Championship status with five games left and eight points behind, then they had no alternative. If they wanted that jolt, that impact to force a change."

We make Malky Mackay's reign 138 days at the DW Stadium.

Wigan sack Malky Mackay

If Manchester City and manager Manuel Pellegrini are under pressure, how must Wigan chairman David Sharpe have been feeling in the last hour or two?

The 23-year-old has barely got his feet under his desk since taking charge of the club from his grandfather - Dave Whelan - before he made the decision to sack Malky Mackay as manager.

"This is a very difficult decision to make," said Sharpe in a statement. "But I feel that for the long-term future of the club, there needs to be a change now."

Navas believes

Manchester City must win all eight of their remaining Premier League fixtures to stand any chance of reclaiming the title, according to winger Jesus Navas.

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The Spaniard has made 39 appearances this season, managing just one goal in all competitions as City have slipped to nine points behind league leaders Chelsea ahead of their trip to Crystal Palace.

"We know they will come at us and that their supporters will be noisy if we allow them to get on top so we need to try and take control as quickly as possible," Navas tells Manchester City's website.

"There are a few strong teams coming from behind and we need to get wins in order to catch Chelsea, which is still possible. As far as the title is concerned, the only thing we can do is try to win all our remaining games and see what happens."

From smiling to scoring...

Sergio Aguero is making a few Crystal Palace fans smile but City could do with him creating home grimaces in the next couple of hours.

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The Argentina international is without a goal in five games and now two adrift of Chelsea's Diego Costa and Tottenham's Harry Kane in the race for the Premier League top scorer gong.

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Phil Coulson: Manuel Pellegrini will go at the end of the season. Man City won't want to suffer the ignominy of Man Utd finishing above them.

Ryan Daniels: If Manuel Pellegrini doesn't win the Premier League then the owners should be fair and have the same inevitable fate of Roberto Mancini applied to him.

Jay: Yeah, Manchester City should sack Manuel Pellegrini. Appoint Malky Mackay. Or better still, Lee Clark.

Tweet us on #bbcfootball, is a season without a trophy enough to see Manuel Pellegrini sacked and who would replace him?

Chilean centurion

BBC

So as Manuel Pellegrini takes charge of his 101st Manchester City game, the club could be closing in on a season with no silverware, an occurrence which raises doubt over his chances of reaching 200 games in the hot seat.

So far the Chilean has a 63% win rate. His strike rate was better at Real Madrid, River Plate and Univesidad Catolica, albeit in shorter managerial spells.

Pardew overlooked for big time

And what about Alan Pardew in the Manchester City hot seat?

The former Newcastle boss believes he and other British talents are overlooked for the top jobs in England, an issue which frustrates him.

"Myself, Sam Allardyce, Tony Pulis, Mark Hughes to a degree, we are all experienced managers who have not really had a top club," Pardew told Radio 5 Live's Sportsweek.

"The chances are very, very slim. We are underestimated as a group, but I would say that because I am part of that group. It annoys me in so much as I look at the top teams and feel I could do that job better than I am seeing it being done."

City's summer changes

In reference to our last post Manchester City fans, rule Peter Crouch out of any transfer splurge. He has taken to the Twittersphere to rule out any move to Etihad Stadium.

Peter Crouch Twitter

GET INVOLVED

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If Manchester City fail to win the Premier League this season, should they change their manager?

If so, who would they get? And are there any obvious key signings needed?

Tweet us on #bbcfootball.

Paul Pogba in midfield? Rafa Benitez in the dug out? Maybe they could tempt sir Alex off the golf course?

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That blue feeling

Manchester City's fall from a side bang in the title mix to fourth place seemed unthinkable in December, when the Premier League champions went unbeaten, picking up 16 points from 18.

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What a difference three months has made and they now stand on the brink of three straight Premier League away defeats.

They have lost three league matches in 2015, only one fewer than in the whole of 2014.

Team news

Manchester City have Yaya Toure fit to play on the ground where he scored last season.

The Ivorian was a doubt after suffering an achilles problem but joins Fernandinho in midfield as both Edin Dzeko and Sergio Aguero start up front.

He is one of five changes to the team which started the 3-0 win over West Brom, with Zabaleta, Mangala, Fernando, Lampard and Bony all making way.

Palace make only a single change from their win at Stoke, Martin Kelly is in for Pape Souare.

Crystal Palace XI: Speroni, Ward, Dann, Delaney, Kelly, Zaha, Ledley, McArthur, Bolasie, Puncheon, Murray.

Man City XI: Hart, Sagna, Kompany, Demichelis, Clichy, Navas, Fernandinho, Toure, Silva, Dzeko, Aguero.

Free ride for City slickers

Crystal Palace's home fans are a tough bunch to drown out noise wise but Manchester City have put on a fleet of free buses for their travelling followers tonight.

It's a lengthy 218-mile trip to south-east London and a return potentially hours before the working week starts looms. Not the type of journey you need after a defeat.

Manchester City

Some news from Manchester Evening News reporter Stuart Brennan though, the buses have hit traffic and could miss kick-off.

No such thing as a free lunch as they say.

Ten-game blow-up

When Manchester City's players do a lap of honour at the end of the season, most likely without the Premier League trophy, they will look at January to the end of March as a period where their fingers were wrenched off the title.

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Since drawing at Everton on 10 January, they have won just four times, dropping points with the consistency of an M6 traffic jam.

Over the same number of games, Chelsea have not lost, winning seven from 10. Peek-a-boo, Jose's smiling...

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Team news any second...

How rude of Wigan Athletic to interrupt our Premier League build-up flow. Apologies Crystal Palace and Manchester City fans, your team news will drop any minute now.

If you'd rather use your ears than your eyes, then you can listen to BBC Radio 5 live for full commentary from south-east London.

Wigan sack Mackay

Just when you thought the football weekend was about to simmer down... BANG... nothing like a managerial sacking, or in this case "parting" of company, to jazz things up.

Who am I talking about? Malky Mackay.

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Wigan Athletic - beaten by Derby County earlier - have got rid of the Scot, who joined in November.

The Latics find themselves eight points from Championship safety with five games to play. Keep across the BBC Sport website for the full story.

This is serious...

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If you can lift your head from the Easter egg trough long enough to look at the Premier League table, you'll notice just how crucial tonight is. Chelsea could hold a seven-point lead by the time you go to bed after that next egg, belly full, guilt-ridden, but satisfied.

Now Chelsea fans apart, no one really wants the title race finished in early April do they? So what have you got Manchester City? The finish of champions, or a final slump to an empty-handed season?

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Welcome

Selhurst Park was a title hope graveyard last season.

The tears, the broken hearts, the farewell to dreams - now nightmares which run over and over and over...

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The home faithful love it. Boisterous, colourful, they revel in the role of spanner in the works...

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And tonight, Manchester City boss Manuel Pellegrini - 'the engineer' - will be only to aware of a Crystal Palace shaped spanner.

Dropped points could all but end the Premier League title race before Easter eggs have been consumed...