Crystal Palace 0-2 Manchester City: 5 players who impressed for the Blues | Premier League 2019-20 

Manchester City travelled to Selhurst Park on Saturday to face Crystal Palace, knowing very well that only a win would suffice. The reigning champions were already trailing Premier League leaders Liverpool by eight points and were looking to cut that gap to five points. With Liverpool due to play Manchester United on Sunday, Pep Guardiola had a chance to pile the pressure on Jurgen Klopp but was aware that it wouldn't be an easy task.

Crystal Palace had already defeated Manchester United this season and was sixth in the table ahead of the game. To make matters worse, Pep Guardiola's defensive crisis had taken a turn for the worse. Nicolas Otamendi had returned late from international duty, while John Stones was not fit enough to start. Kyle Walker was out with illness, which meant that Guardiola was out of options at the back while trying to pick his first eleven. Last season, Guardiola had Vincent Kompany, Stones, Otamendi and Aymeric Laporte fighting for the two centre-back spots. Ahead of the Palace game, the Spaniard had none of those players available and he had to make a few crucial improvisations to his first eleven.

Manchester City Starting XI: Ederson; Joao Cancelo, Rodrigo, Fernandinho, Benjamin Mendy; Kevin de Bruyne, Ilkay Gundogan, David Silva; Raheem Sterling, Gabriel Jesus, Bernardo Silva.

Manchester City was in control of the game right from the start but struggled to make a breakthrough in the early stages. Gabriel Jesus eventually gave them the lead in the 39th minute, before David Silva doubled the lead two minutes later. Guardiola's team was 2-0 up at the halfway mark and even though both teams came close to scoring in the second half, the visitors eventually won the game 2-0. Here are five men who were head and shoulders above others for Manchester City on the night.

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#5 Ederson

Ederson had a good game, the highlight of which was a stunning save to deny Christian Benteke.

With two defensive midfielders playing as makeshift centre-backs, the Brazilan custodian had to be on his toes throughout the match. However, Ederson was up to the task and had a fairly impressive game. He passed the ball well and his distribution was also good.

He made two fantastic saves to ensure that the clean sheet remained intact. The Brazilian's save from Christian Benteke's header was the pick of the day and Ederson ensured that the hosts never got back into the game after City took the lead.

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#4 Raheem Sterling

Raheem Sterling was a handful for the Crystal Palace defence.

The Englishman was a constant threat on the night and was busy as a bee on the left side of the field. Raheem Sterling proved to be a handful for Joel Ward, the Crystal Palace right-back, who struggled to keep up with the Manchester City man. Sterling combined very well with Benjamin Mendy, who allowed the Englishman to run inside from the wide and create havoc in the final third.

Sterling attempted four dribbles in the game with a 75% success rate. He registered 36 passes with 83% accuracy and recorded three key passes in the game. The Englishman also kept Wayne Hennessey on his toes, attempting four shots and hitting the woodwork once. However, Sterling's biggest contribution of the night came right after City took the lead.

As the visitors broke away in the counter, the ball fell to the Englishman, who lingered long enough at the edge of the box for David Silva to make a run. Sterling spotted the Spaniard well and then sent a delightful lob that had the entire home defense stranded. Silva volleyed with aplomb and doubled the Cityzens' lead.

#3 Bernardo Silva

Bernardo Silva was a thorn in the side of the Crystal Palace back-line.

The Portuguese had another stellar outing for his team against Crystal Palace and helped his team keep the pressure on the home defense throughout the game. Bernardo Silva was heavily involved in the build-up play and the understanding he developed with Kevin de Bruyne and Joao Cancelo was one of the key points of the game.

The Portuguese started in the right forward role but was fluid in his movement, finding pockets of spaces near the box and dropping down to facilitate the overlapping runs from Cancelo and de Bruyne.

Bernardo Silva had 67 touches on the ball in the game and registered 54 passes with 89% accuracy, which also included three key passes. He also had two shots on goal, both of which were on target. Even though he failed to score, Bernardo Silva made a telling contribution to the game in the 39th minute.

City was struggling to break down Crystal Palace up until then. Bernardo Silva, who had been knocking on the door in the first half, sent in a measured cross that was headed into the far post by Gabriel Jesus. The goal gave the visitors much-needed composure in the game and City never looked back from there.

#2 David Silva

David Silva was one Manchester City's star performers on the night.

In the absence of both Rodrigo and Fernandinho in the City midfield – Pep Guardiola opted for a midfield trio of David Silva, Ilkay Gundogan and Kevin De Bruyne. The City skipper's role, as such, included providing steel in the middle of the park, while also joining the attack with late runs. The Spaniard did both jobs exceedingly well.

David Silva timed his runs into the box to perfection and registered a shot on goal early in the game. It would be a sign of things to come as the City skipper inspired his team to victory on the day. The Spaniard was gutsy in his pressing and also won the ball high up the pitch on a couple of occasions to initiate attacks.

Silva was also responsible enough to drop back whenever City lost the ball and ensured that the home side never won the midfield battle. After his team had taken the lead, David Silva put the final nail in Palace's coffin.

As soon as Sterling received the ball near the box, the Spaniard embarked on a run into the penalty area. He was well spotted by the Englishman and Silva then displayed his class with a brilliant first-time finish. He watched the flight of the ball right until the end, connected perfectly with his left boot to slot it past Hennessey's legs.

#1 Gabriel Jesus

Gabriel Jesus ensured that Sergio Aguero's absence didn't have an adverse impact on City's attacking play.

The Brazilian got a rare chance to impress after Pep Guardiola decided to keep Sergio Aguero on the bench. It turned out to be a pretty good decision, as Gabriel Jesus had a stellar game and gave a very good account of himself. Jesus was running non-stop right from kick-off and did not give the Palace defense a moment's respite. He had an urgency in his stride which unsettled the opposition and worked very well with City's tactics.

Jesus ended the game with eight shots, four of which were on target. He had 44 touches on the ball, as he dropped down to involve himself with the build-up play. Jesus also displayed quick feet and astute ball control in tight spaces. He attempted six dribbles with an 83% success rate and also won four aerial duels. Jesus closed down the opponents high up the pitch and was relentless with his pressing.

The Brazilian was instrumental in helping City take a grip on the game. In the 39th minute, following Bernardo Silva's cross, Jesus flung himself in the air to meet the ball. His diving header struck the upright and crept in, giving Guardiola's side the lead.