Good afternoon and welcome to live commentary from the fourth round of the FA Cup as Crystal Palace and Manchester City do battle for a place in the last 16 of the competition.

Pep Guardiola's side made light work of West Ham in the last round, romping to a 5-0 victory at the London Stadium. So, expect a strong side as the ex-Barcelona coach goes in search of his first English domestic trophy.

For Sam Allardyce, it's hardly been a strong start to his stint as Palace manager. Their only victory in last 10 games came in the Cup replay against Bolton Wanderers.

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We're expecting a much-changed side from the Eagles, but we could see a full debut for Gabriel Jesus and the return of a welcome face for the visitors. So without further ado, let's bring you the team news from Selhurst Park.

PALACE XI: Hennessey, Ward, Kelly, Tomkins, Schlupp, Flamini, Ledley, Mutch, Townsend, Lee, Benteke

PALACE SUBS: Perntredu, Fryers, Delaney, McArthur, Kaikai, Cabaye, Remy

MAN CITY XI: Caballero, Sagna, Kompany, Kolarov, Clichy, Toure, Delph, Silva, Sterling, Sane, Jesus

MAN CITY SUBS: Bravo, Zabaleta, Fernando, Nolito, De Bruyne, Stones, Navas

So, Manchester City do give a full debut to Brazilian youngster Gabriel Jesus, of whom big things are expected. City also recall club captain Vincent Kompany after yet another injury layoff. Fabian Delph also makes a rare appearance for the Citizens in midfield.

A fairly strongish side from Sam Allardyce as well, although he still makes six changes, with Christian Benteke given a start. There is no Wilfried Zaha or Bakary Sako available. Frazier Campbell and Steve Mandanda both returned to training with Palace this week, but neither are risked for this afternoon's tie.

Gabriel Jesus is being tipped for big things. Some observers will have seen his impact when he helped guide Brazil to Olympic gold this summer. We may see some glimpses of the talent the boy from Sao Paolo possesses this afternoon.

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For Palace and Allardyce, the biggest problem appears to be in defence. The Eagles have kept only one clean sheet in their last 27 Premier League games. If the South London club are to go far in this competition, or indeed stay in the top flight, one would think that is an area in need of work.

Elsewhere in the FA Cup today, Liverpool have crashed out of the competition after a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Wolves. It's the first time Jurgen Klopp has lost three consecutive home games as a manager since he was in charge of Mainz in 2007. Chelsea and Spurs are also in action this afternoon against lower league opposition.

City will go into this game with increased confidence after a positive display in the 2-2 draw with Tottenham. The Blues have also shown their goalscoring prowess in the FA Cup over the last couple of seasons.

18 - Man City's last four FA Cup matches have seen 18 goals scored at an average of 4.5 per game (13 goals for, five conceded). Captivating. — OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) January 28, 2017

The visitors also have a knack of winning fourth round ties. Indeed, they have only lost two of their last 12 matches at this stage, to Sheffield United in 2007-08 and to Middlesbrough during the 2014-15 campaign.

With a lot of talk of Gabriel Jesus, it is easy to forget the return of City's talisman and skipper Vincent Kompany, hopefully over a string of injury setbacks.

He's back! 👍 #mcfc pic.twitter.com/Sa7XQCmAR2 — Manchester City (@ManCity) January 28, 2017

Despite City's free-scoring form in the Cup, Palace could take advantage of the visitor's indifferent form on the road. The Blues have alternated between a win and defeat in their last six away outings, including the 4-0 thrashing at the hands of Everton.

PREDICTION: With kickoff almost upon us at Selhurst Park, it is time for a prediction and it is hard to see past a City win. A lack of Palace victories in recent months suggest that this could be a difficult day. I'm plumping for 2-0 for the away side. That said, if the Eagles can unsettle Guardiola's men, who knows!

Teams are out on the pitch at Selhurst Park, kickoff is moments away. Can the Eagles spring a surprise? We will find out by 5 o'clock this evening.

KICKOFF: We're underway in South London!

FOUL! Jordan Mutch brings down Yaya Toure in a good area for City. Free kick for the visitors in a dangerous area.

CHANCE! A let off for Palace! Sane tries to get on the end of a cross in the six-yard area. He gets his head on the Sterling delivery, but the hosts survive.

Schlupp concedes a corner for City. Guardiola's side making a positive start and seeking the opening goal. Tomkins then clears for another corner. Palace seem to be hemmed in at the moment.

SAVE! Hennessey has to be alert to deny Silva from close range. The Spaniard is played in by Toure, but the former Valencia man fails to beat the Welsh stopper.

It's hardly been full of action so far, but what chances there have been have gone the way of City. Confident start from the away side! Another corner concdeded by Tomkins, but the visitors unable to take advantage.

There is no doubt Guardiola's side are in charge. They have had 74% of the ball so far and all of the attempts at goal so far.

CLOSE! City in again and almost break the deadlock. This time Delph gets on the end of another well-placed cross from Sterling. However, the ball hits Delph and bounces out of play.

Schlupp is playing as a wing-back today, but Sterling has had the better of him so far. That said, the Dutchman wins a free kick at the expense of the former Liverpool winger.

CHANCE! Another opportunity for City and another chance for Sane. The German gets in another header from close range on the left side of Hennessey's area and fails to get the effort inside the near post.

FOUL! Palace earn a free kick in the visitor's half. Ward is flattened by Delph. Townsend is over this one, so is Chung-yong.

CHANCE! Benteke manages to get a header on target, but it's saved by Caballero. More like it from Palace!

UPDATE: Interesting developments across London. Paul Hayes has nudged Wycombe ahead at White Hart Lane against Spurs. It's looking like a day full of Cup shocks!

Looking at Delph's tackle again, he may have been lucky to avoid a card. It's an ugly challenge he made on Ward earlier.

YELLOW CARD: Toure is the first player into the book for a challenge on Ledley by the halfway line.

YELLOW CARD: Mutch follows Toure into the ref's notebook. He brings down Kolarov. Toure then commits another foul, he needs to be careful. There are a few tasty challenges going in here!

CHANCE! The best chance of the game so far for the hosts. Mutch deilvers a menacing ball into the mixer and Benteke flicks it over the cross bar.

UPDATE: We mentioned that Wycombe are on course to knock Spurs out of the Cup. No such trouble for Chelsea, who are into a 2-0 lead and had another effort in the net, which was ruled out moments ago.

SAVE! Caballero keeps his side on level terms as he blocks a shot from Tomkins. After a difficult start, Palace have enjoyed a solid spell in the last few minutes.

YELLOW CARD: Now Sterling picks up a yellow for a tackle on Schlupp. City have lost some of their momentum and could do with getting their foot on the ball and taking the sting of this Palace resurgence. They are still bossing possession at least.

UPDATE: Another update from White Hart Lane and Wycombe have doubled their lead from the spot against Spurs!

CHANCE! Kolarov goes close with a fizzing left-footed strike from distance, which only misses the top corner.

Well, City have deserved the lead on balance, but that breakthrough came at the right time for the visitors. Jesus is the provider on his debut and Sterling completes the move with a low strike into the bottom corner beyond Hennessey.

CHANCE! Jesus again is involved. The Brazilian almost digs out a second goal, only for Hennessey to turn his effort around the post. The away side finishing the half with aplomb.

SHOTS! In the first of three added minutes, first Toure, then Delph sees their efforts charged down by the Palace rearguard. The Eagles need the half-time whistle.

Well, a first-half of chances and tasty challenges sees City go back to the dressing room with a slender lead. It's fair to say they have made most of the running and deserve that goal.

STATS: City have had more of the ball, but as Palace got back into the game, the Eagles managed to get a bit more possession (33%). Guardiola's side had nine shots at goal, hitting the target three times. They have also completed all of their passes in the attacking third, apparently. Not sure I buy that last stat!

BENCH WATCH: If Palace are to get back into this tie, it could be that we see Loic Remy join Benteke up front in the latter stages. Remy, who has endured a retched run of injuries has gradually been working his way back to fitness. City have De Bruyne and Nolito is reserve if needed.

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FA CUP SCORES: As mentioned Wycombe are 2-0 up at Spurs in what could be the big shock of the day, alongside Wolves' 2-1 win at Liverpool. Championship side Newcastle are being held by Oxford at the Kassam. Middlesbrough are also drawing 0-0 at home to the mighty Accrington Stanley.

PALACE SUB: Teams are back out, but Benteke is not. He has made way for Remy.

KICKOFF: We are back underway at Selhurst Park!

Strange moments as referee Mike Jones stops the game as he realises Remy is on. He sends the Frenchman to the sidelines to get his studs checked and beckons him back on.

CHANCES! Almost the perfect start for Remy as he gets in behind. He volleys off-target moments later.

CLOSE! At the other end, City go close to doubling their lead. A crafty back heel from Sterling is inches away. Sane provided a good cross to set up that chance for the England international.

SAVE! Now Delph tries his luck from distance and it's not a bad effort. Hennessey tips it wide. Still 1-0 to City.

YELLOW CARD: Kelly is the second Palace player to earn a card as he scythes down Delph.

YELLOW CARD: A fifth yellow of the game and this time Sagna goes into the book for a foul on Townsend. Heavy rain and hail dousing the Selhurst Park pitch now.

FOUL! Sterling, himself booked earlier on, is brought down by Ledley. I wonder if Guardiola is tempted to ring changes to avoid injuries and further suspensions.

CHANCE! Amid a hailstorm of biblical proportions Ledley tries his luck from the edge of the box and his shot goes just wide.

Guardiola is glaring at the ground in disbelief, or least it looks that way. The ball is not rolling true on the pitch at the moment. Mutch, already booked in the first half, now brings down Sagna.

PALACE SUB: The Eagles make a second change and Mutch makes way for McArthur, possibly to spare the midfielder a red card.

CITY SUB: Sterling, who has had a strong game, is coming off for Jesus Navas. City have two players with Jesus in their name and a storm worthy of religious scripture. Expect Sunday newspaper headlines on divine intervention etc.

Speaking of Jesus, Gabriel Jesus is brought down by Ward as he looked to spring a break through the Palace backline. At last count, we've had 23 fouls or one every three minutes.

Surely, that is game over and City into the hat for the fifth round draw! Silva's run and through ball sets up Sane and, after missing a string of first-half chances, the German coolly slots past Hennessey. Guardiola's men have been good value for this lead. The hail storm has abated too!

CLOSE! Palace almost pull one back through Ledley and his header goes agonisingly wide. Time is running out for the Eagles in this FA Cup run. Wembley suddenly looks a long way away now!

Three goals in three games 🔥🔥🔥 #mcfc pic.twitter.com/F3vXwrc67N — Manchester City (@ManCity) January 28, 2017

CLOSE! City nearly finished the tie off as Silva goes very close. Meanwhile, Schlupp is replaced by Fryers. Looks like the former Leicester man has gone straight down the tunnel with an injury.

UPDATE: National League leaders Lincoln are ahead against Championship pace setters Brighton. Newcastle are also trailing at Oxford and Spurs have at least got back to 2-2, but are playing the remainder of that game with 10 men.

CITY SUB: Silva comes off and Fernando comes on. Guardiola perhaps has an eye on the return trip to West Ham in midweek.

FOUL! Sane commits yet another foul, bringing down Townsend on the left wing.

CITY SUB: That was Sane's final act as he comes off and Nolito makes a brief cameo in attack.

UPDATE: Wycombe are minutes away from a stunning upset. They conceded two in four minutes to be pegged back, but with Spurs down to 10 men due to a Trippier injury, they have retaken the lead at White Hart Lane with seven minutes left.

I think the second goal has, apart from Ledley's effort, taken any wind out of Palace's sails. Remy is brought down by Clichy on the right wing. Foul number 29!

Four minutes of added time left. Moments before, Jesus managed to round Hennessey and slipped. I reckon the biblical storm thwarted Jesus!

YELLOW CARD: Jesus is brought down by Ledley, who picks up a yellow card. Toure is standing over this one.

Well, what a beauty of a free kick to cap off a strong performance from City. Hennessey couldn't anywhere near that as the Ivorian curls his effort into the top corner. Class!

City sweep aside Palace and deservedly earn their place in the last 16. Pep Guardiola is edging closer to a first English domestic trophy and his side are starting to get back into form. There is still plenty of action left in this FA Cup weekend and you can follow all the action with Sports Mole. However, from myself it's goodbye for now!