A goal in the second half from Edin Dzeko was enough for Manchester City to maintain their 100% home record against a spirited Crystal Palace and move to the top of the Premier League table.
City could have gone ahead inside five minutes as Dzeko beat the offside trap to latch on to David Silva's ball, but could only scuff his left-footed effort wide.
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Silva then had a chance of his own as he played a one-two with Fernandinho but rifled his effort just wide from the edge of the box.
Palace, under pressure up to this point, managed their first effort on goal when Yannick Bolasie collected a diagonal pass from Jason Puncheon before cutting inside and shooting off target.
The visitors started to improve and were on top of the game after the half-hour mark, when Bolasie put in a dangerous cross that Puncheon could not turn in on the stretch.
Just before the break Fernandinho came as close as City managed as he tested Julian Speroni into action with a header that was tipped over the bar.
After the break Puncheon almost matched Dwight Gayle's winner against Aston Villa, as he beat Joe Hart with a superb strike that curled just wide of the post.
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Not long afterwards City finally created a chance good enough for them to take the lead. Jesus Navas picked up a partially cleared cross and found Dzeko, who side-footed the ball in for a City lead.
Palace might have levelled soon after the goal, but Joel Ward's ferocious strike was tipped wide by Hart. A final good chance proved too much for Palace to muster and they fell to a narrow, yet spirited, defeat.
Matt Domm
