An ecstatic Manchester City side relished three points after a well-deserved victory over Crystal Palace, thus strengthening their position in the standings.
With the three precious points picked up after the victory, Manchester City climbed into the third place based on goal difference, making their chances for a top-four finish even stronger.
David Silva scored the first goal within the first couple of minutes, making it City’s fastest goal this season. From then on, the hosts dominated the game till the final whistle was blown. The score remained the same till half-time, leaving some shred of hope for Palace – a side that is battling relegation concerns.
Palace put up a lacklustre performance, but did try to score now and then, only to watch it get saved or become too wide. After half-time though, all hopes went down the drain for the Eagles as Pep Guardiola’s side came back stronger in the second half.
It started when Vincent Kompany turned home Kevin de Bruyne’s cross with finish into the top corner. De Bruyne, did almost score before with a free kick, but after Kompany’s goal, he made it 3-0 with a low shot from the edge of the area that Wayne Hennessey was in, and the goalkeeper could not keep it out.
Then came Raheem Sterling with the fourth goal, thanks to a clever header by substitute Pablo Zabaleta, and he smashed the shot into the bottom corner of the goal. A visibly frustrated Wayne Hennessey and bunch of Crystal Palace just stared in disbelief once Nicolas Otamendi brought up the fifth goal by heading De Bruyne’s free kick into the net.
Kevin De Bruyne was the flavour of the evening as everybody hailed his brilliant performance, and was one of City’s best by a mile.
Kevin De Bruyne has provided 15 assists this season – no @ManCity player has registered more in a single #PL campaign (Silva 15 in 2011/12) pic.twitter.com/9MnLXciTQH
— Premier League (@premierleague) May 7, 2017
Only Kevin De Bruyne could make 2 defenders score in one game.
— SaifBZ (@SaifAlmazroui) May 6, 2017
Kevin De Bruyne against Crystal Palace:
1 goal
2 assists
4 shots
7 key passes
10 crossesUnbelievable performance. ??? pic.twitter.com/IfoK0BvtjF
— City Watch (@City_Watch) May 6, 2017
Kevin De Bruyne: Has scored or assisted 20 goals for Manchester City in the PL this season, the second best single-season haul of his career
— WhoScored.com (@WhoScored) May 6, 2017
Kevin De Bruyne created more chances (3) than the whole Crystal Palace team combined (2) in the first half.
Pulling the strings. pic.twitter.com/aapERlKnM8
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) May 6, 2017
Kevin De Bruyne's Premier League record since joining Man City in 2015/16:
58 games ?
23 assists ?️
12 goals ⚽Superb Signing ✔️ pic.twitter.com/IYwzHmpuOh
— 8 Fact Football (@8Fact_Footballl) May 6, 2017
Pep Guardiola was also hailed as several fans pointed out that this is truly a sign of what the manager is really capable of. In fact, some even called this City’s best performance ever since he joined the club.
This is beautiful, this is Pep Guardiola's Manchester City.
This is football. ?⚽?
— City Chief ️ (@City_Chief) May 6, 2017
.@ManCity's biggest PL win under Pep Guardiola & biggest since 6-1 at home against Newcastle in October 2015 #PL pic.twitter.com/QmgcSLD3sm
— Sky Sports Statto (@SkySportsStatto) May 6, 2017
Pep Guardiola revolutionising set pieces in the English game pic.twitter.com/K3ZEjYXrds
— Jack Farrant (@Jack_C_Farrant) May 6, 2017
Pep Guardiola and Manchester City be like? pic.twitter.com/XsdcdnznrY
— Football Trolls (@MRSPORTSFACTS) May 6, 2017
That’s what we expected from Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City ? pic.twitter.com/lZSapNFgtM
— B/R Football (@brfootball) May 6, 2017
Crystal Palace were mercilessly trolled on Twitter for enduring such a humiliating loss after winning 2-1 against Liverpool in their earlier game. Take a look:
Liverpool 1-2 Crystal Palace
Two weeks later
Man City 5-0 Crystal Palace
Me right now: pic.twitter.com/mmPHzXjbx8
— Ü (@ThoseScouseLads) May 6, 2017
Manchester City 5-0 Crystal Palace pic.twitter.com/M3rZWzR1Ix
— BenchWarmers (@BeWarmers) May 6, 2017
Crystal Palace when they play any other team v when they play Liverpool pic.twitter.com/maajtMkLuj
— ' (@GerrardsPrime) May 6, 2017
#crystal palace fc To all you Palace fans. Remember when Peterborough got relegated on last day of season. Your turn.#pufc.
— Neil Johnson (@neilj1956) May 7, 2017
Manchester City 5 Crystal Palace 0
Worst day for Big Sam since he went for that Chinese & a pint of wine pic.twitter.com/We6R6lXers— Shite Sports News (@ShiteSportsNews) May 6, 2017
Man City laughing at Crystal Palace Fans Like……………..#MCICRY #PL #MCFC #CPFC #BigSam pic.twitter.com/Kvq4f1Hphu
— NextGame Sport (@NextGameSport) May 6, 2017
Manchester City defender Nicolas Otamendi was also the talk of the night as his goal was appreciated by fans and critics alike, especially since this was several months after he even got close to scoring his last goal.
Just heard from a reliable source that Otamendi will score today. So excited.
— ㅤ (@Beardamendi) May 6, 2017
A defensive masterclass from Vincent Kompany and Nico Otamendi ?? pic.twitter.com/jx1xeqGs1N
— City Watch (@City_Watch) May 6, 2017
Nicolás Otamendi against Crystal Palace:
2 tackles
3 interceptions
11 clearances(!)
93% pass accuracy… and a goal!
Beast at the back. pic.twitter.com/pEJi3GsRnm
— City Watch (@City_Watch) May 6, 2017
Otamendi-Kompany partnership is incredible.
— Jordan-Luke McDonald (@ByJordanLuke) May 6, 2017
Love how early May Premier League games throw up unlikely goalscorers. Otamendi. Stanislas. Sunderland.
— Tom Victor (@tomvictor) May 6, 2017
Nicolas Otamendi delivering a masterclass today! Can we call that #TheKomanyEffect
— City Chief ️ (@City_Chief) May 6, 2017
Otamendi is a totally different player when Kompany is next to him
— Yondu (@CJPUNX) May 6, 2017
Otamendi practising his headers. Wise
— Sam Lee (@Sammy_Goal) May 6, 2017