Sergio Aguero scored twice as Manchester City beat Crystal Palace 4-0 at the Etihad Stadium to move top of the Barclays Premier League.
City boss, Manuel Pellegrini, sprang a few surprises as he left Yaya Toure, Raheem Sterling, Jesus Navas and Bacary Sagna on the bench and handed an opportunity to striker Kelechi Iheanacho.
Iheanacho, the highly-rated Nigerian who scored the winner off the bench at Selhurst Park in September, had made just one previous league start but earned his chance after impressing in the FA Cup last weekend.
The 19-year-old’s inclusion alongside Aguero meant a switch to 4-4-2, and that initially appeared to favour Palace and their packed midfield.
City dropped points in midweek when they were held to a goalless draw by Everton, but Pellegrini’s side suffered no such problems in finding a breakthrough against Palace.
Fabian Delph put the hosts ahead in the 22nd minute with a long-range effort which Wayne Hennessey ought to have saved, but there was little the Eagles goalkeeper could do to stop Aguero making it 2-0 five minutes before half-time with a strike which deflected in off Scott Dann.
Aguero then finished off an excellent team move also involving David Silva, Toure and Kevin De Bruyne in the 68th minute before unselfishly setting up Silva to complete the scoring six minutes from time.
The result left Palace without a win – or a goal – in five league games.
