Manchester City made it five from five to kick off the new Premier League season in fine fashion.
City defeated Crystal Palace 1-0 at Selhurst Park thanks to a maiden goal from teenage striker Kelechi Iheanacho which kept Manuel Pellegrini's men four points clear at the top of the table.
18-year-old Iheanacho came off the bench in the 89th minute to prod home Samir Nasri's saved effort from close range moments later.
The win has given City a perfect record of 15 points from a possible 15 without conceding to kickstart the campaign while Alan Pardew's Palace find themselves sitting sixth following their second home defeat.
MATCH OVERVIEW
Crystal Palace: 0
Manchester City: 1 (Kelechi Iheanacho 90')
Selhurst Park, London - 25,167
TALKING POINTS
- Is Man City's title favouritism fully deserved? Who can reel them in?
- Another promising performance from Palace. Does Pardew have them on track for a top-half finish?
WHAT'S NEXT?
The Eagles make the short trip to North London to meet Tottenham on Sunday as City get set for Juventus in the Champions League at home on Tuesday before hosting fifth-placed West Ham United on Saturday evening.
TWITTER INSIGHT
Gutted with the result today. Thought we played really well and deserved something from it. Football is a cruel game sometimes! Atmosphere
— Alex McCarthy (@Alex_Macca23) September 12, 2015Hard to take losing in last minute. Thought we done enough to get something from the game. Fans were brilliant again #cpfc
— James Mcarthur (@jamesmcarthur16) September 12, 2015A hard fought 3 points!! Well done on your goal @67Kelechi#ComeOnCitypic.twitter.com/BuxwFfhUUB
— Yaya Touré (@YayaToure) September 12, 2015Great win and a brilliant job by the team on a difficult turf. Congrats @67Kelechi for the goal!
— Sergio Kun Aguero (@aguerosergiokun) September 12, 2015
QUOTES CORNER
Man City's Pellegrini on youngster Iheanacho:
"This year he started pre-season with the squad and will be a very important player for the future. He's one of the reasons I didn't bring another striker in when we sold Edin Dzeko. He deserves that chance."
Palace boss Pardew on the last-gasp City winner:
"Of course, we feel hard done by. To get so far in a real battle of two good sides and concede in the last minute really hurts."
STATS SPECIALS
*Thanks to Opta
5 - Man City have won their opening five games of a top-flight season for only the second time (after 1912-13). Juggernaut.
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) September 12, 2015125 - Kelechi Iheanacho is the 125th player to score for Manchester City in the Premier League. Landmark.
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) September 12, 20150 - Man City are only the 4th team to open an English top-flight season with 5 clean sheets (+Man Utd 97, Chelsea 05, Portsmouth 06). Tight.
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) September 12, 2015
TEAM LEADERS
PALACE
Goals - Joel Ward, Bakary Sako 2
Assists - Jason Puncheon, James McArthur 2
Yellow cards - Yohan Cabaye 2
MAN CITY
Goals - Yaya Toure, Vincent Kompany, Fernandinho 2
Assists - David Silva 4
Clean sheets - Joe Hart 5
Yellow cards - Eliaquim Mangala 3
