The defender netted twice and
City moved above
Stones appeared to be facing an uncertain future last year after falling out of favour under manager
Yet given an opportunity to play alongside new signing Dias early in the campaign, Stones grasped it and his position now looks rock-solid. In the 10 games he and Dias have started this season, City has won nine and conceded just one goal.
“If there is one guy who deserves the best it is John," Guardiola said. "He’s struggled a lot but he’s a fantastic human being. His parents must be so proud. He’s had personal problems in the past, injuries.
"At the moment he’s set up good and he’s starting to play. Confidence is everything. He won his confidence for himself. As managers, we can’t give confidence. He started to play alongside Ruben and they’ve played really well.”
After taking time to warm up, City began to threaten midway through the first half as
The opening goal came after some De Bruyne brilliance in the 26th minute. The Belgian brilliantly controlled a cross-field pass from Sterling on the left and instinctively curled a cross into the area with the outside of his right boot.
Stones read it perfectly and rose to head home his first of the night. He temporarily forgot the new protocols regarding goal celebrations as he ran off toward the corner flag and accepted a hug from
The second goal arrived 11 minutes into second half. It was all Gundogan’s own work as he won the ball from
This time there was a comic element to the celebrations as Gundogan accepted congratulatory hugs from his teammates only for Fernandinho to come along and remind of the need to keep their distance. After that, fist-bumps seemed to suffice.
De Bruyne fired another shot narrowly wide before City got its third in the 68th. Guaita did well to keep out a firm header from Dias but the ball rebounded to Stones, who lashed it back into the net almost instinctively.
Sterling, making up for the frustration of a missed penalty in midweek, wrapped up a fine night’s work for City when he curled home a free kick from the edge of the area in the 88th.
Palace is 13th in the 20-team standings.
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