Alan Pardew has warned Manchester City that his Crystal Palace side are hungry to beat one of England's elite ahead of Monday's visit of the Premier League champions.
Having held their own in defeats to the likes of Arsenal, Liverpool and Southampton in recent weeks, the Eagles boss hopes that his troops will avoid another hard-luck story when City arrive at Selhurst Park.
With clashes against Manchester United and Chelsea still on the horizon, the 53-year-old wants his side get a taste for toppling the big boys by upsetting the champions.
"One of the important games this season was against Arsenal when we tried to compete with them toe to toe and gave a very good account of ourselves against a top team," he told reporters.
"We have done very well against the teams that are in and around us and played well in those games. Against the top teams - Southampton, Liverpool, Arsenal - we have been really close without toppling any of them.
"So that is the next step for me and we have a great opportunity because we also have Man United as well as City at home and Chelsea and Liverpool away. One of those games I would like to think we can win."
Palace, who have won three of their last four league outings, sit 12th in the Premier League table.
Shane Callaghan
