Manchester City seized the initiative in the Premier League title race on Sunday with a 2-0 win at Crystal Palace.
The Blues took the lead with just four minutes on the clock as Edin Dzeko popped up in the box to head Yaya Toure's cross past Julian Speroni.
Toure then found the net himself when he provided a cool finish following a powerful run that saw him take on three Palace defenders.
Here, Sports Mole takes a closer look at the action between the two teams at Selhurst Park.
Match statistics
Palace
Shots: 3
On target: 2
Possession: 46%
Corners: 4
Fouls: 9
Man City
Shots: 16
On target: 6
Possession: 54%
Corners: 8
Fouls: 10
Was the result fair?
This match was a potential banana skin for Manchester City, but they came through it with minimal fuss. Palace only occasionally threatened as the visitors seized their chance to clinch a second title in three years.
Palace's performance
Having won their last five games in a row, Palace were expected to put up more of a fight than they did on a disappointing afternoon for the Eagles at Selhurst Park. Tony Pulis's side got off to a terrible start as Dzeko headed City in front, and they struggled to recover after that. Rarely posing any kind of danger up front, there was a distinct lack of bite in terms of intensity and dynamism. Pulis is known for whipping his players into disciplined shape, but there was none of that on Sunday. Their display was that of a team with nothing to play for.
Man City's performance
This was by no means a thrilling 90 minutes from City, but they did what they needed to get the three points. Scoring early helped to ease any nerves that might have been present, while Toure's goal just before half time was the killer blow. Manuel Pellegrini would probably have wanted a bit more intent in attack as the visitors sometimes struggled for ideas, though it rarely looked as if the result was in doubt after they took the lead. Palace put up something resembling a fight in the second half, and City dealt with them with relative ease.
Sports Mole's man of the match
James Milner: The City midfielder did not stop running all afternoon, putting in the kind of display that has become his trademark in recent years. Milner got forward whenever possible to help his teammates in attack, but he also showed the kind of tenacious defensive qualities that could make him an important part of England's World Cup squad this summer.
Biggest gaffe
Palace will be disappointed with conceding so early as Dzeko was allowed to drift in between two defenders to head past Speroni. Some tighter marking and better awareness from the centre-backs could have prevented City from getting off to a flying start.
Referee performance
Howard Webb gave a professional display out in the middle, getting most of the key decisions correct on what was an important afternoon in the race for the title.
What next?
Palace: The Eagles return to action on May 5 when they entertain title-chasing Liverpool in the Premier League.
Man City: The Blues' quest for the title continues on Saturday with a trip to Everton.
Jack Prescott
