Manchester: Edin Dzeko’s second-half strike sent Manchester City to the top of the Premier League table as his side earned a narrow 1-0 victory over strugglers Crystal Palace on Saturday.
City manager Manuel Pellegrini decided to make six changes from his side’s victory over Liverpool on Thursday and their 100 per cent home record looked in danger until Dzeko’s strike with 24 minutes to go.
Nonetheless, the 2012 champions are now top of the league for the first time since the opening weekend of the season, with previous leaders Arsenal not in action until Sunday. With City unbeaten at the Etihad Stadium in the league this year, visiting their ground is a daunting task for even Europe’s top sides, let alone relegation candidates Palace.
Tony Pulis’s side may have won four of their last seven games, but City’s ruthlessness on their own turf meant that most Palace fans travelled north expecting a damage limitation exercise. But City lacked something in the opening half, with the absence of midfielder Yaya Toure notable as he was rested by Pellegrini and looked on from the bench.
David Silva did create an early chance for Dzeko and he flashed a shot wide in the best of the first-half openings. City probed for the opening 45 minutes with the majority of the possession, but they did not have the same zip to their play that has seen them put six goals past Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur on home turf this season.
They were limited to long-distance efforts, with Silva, James Milner and even centre-back Vincent Kompany having a go from range, only to be either off target or have their shots easily saved by Julian Speroni in the Palace goal.
Welbeck strike powers United
Manchester United closed to within two points of the Champions League places after recording a sixth consecutive victory in all competitions with a 1-0 win at Norwich City.
The defending champions were without Wayne Rooney due to a groin injury and needed the half-time introduction of Danny Welbeck to secure victory. David Moyes’ side had laboured until then but in the 57th minute a favourable ricochet off Javier Hernandez set Welbeck free.
