Manchester City’s big names were not on hand to help the team maintain their perfect start to the season with their consecutive wins, it only took the efforts of promising 19 year-old Nigerian forward, Kelechi Iheanacho who came on as an 89th-minute sub. Making just his 2nd-ever appearance for the main team, the under-17 World Cup hero pounced on a rebound from a Samir Nasir shot to hand City a fought-out victory.
Aguero had earlier been substituted after he picked up an injury from a harsh tackle, and Kevin De Bruyne was handed his debut in the process, but the Belgian couldn’t register a goal, yet he showed glimpses of what to expect from him following his signing.
Crystal Palace came into the game being 2nd on the log, and they were on course to get a point from the cracker of a match. David Silva and Raheem Sterling were missing due to injuries, and the team looked onto the attacking pair of Wilfried Bony and Sergio Aguero for a win.
But Aguero had to be withdrawn after 24 minutes, almost leaving City’s chances of winning in shambles. Toure was lucky to escape being sent-off after a reprisal tackle on McArthur. Navas could have handed the Noisy Neighbors an early goal after being linked up by De Bruyne. The Spain international winger successfully rounded past McCarthy, but could only find the side netting in what should have been a goal.
Yannick Bolasie led the Palace attack with the unavailability of Connor Wickham, but he couldn’t threaten the City’s defence. City seemed to have a penalty claim following Yohan Cabaye’s trip on Nasri, but no spot kick was awarded.
The Frenchman almost got the goal of the day, but his shot was only great enough for a parry from McCarthy, and Iheanacho was in the rightful position to slot in a saving-grace winner. The youngster might just be the surprise package of this season, and with Aguero sidelined, he could just make all the headlines hence.