David Silva scored twice in the second half to lead Manchester City to a 3-0 win over Crystal Palace at the Etihad Stadium in the Premier League this afternoon.
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The home side did not name a recognised striker in their starting lineup, but Pablo Zabaleta came out from the back to try to set up Samir Nasri early on, only for the midfielder to strike just wide.
The Frenchman was on the attack again later in the half when a clearance fell to him on the edge of the box, but he was unable to test Julian Speroni with the rebound.
Palace looked sharp on the counter-attack, though, and came close to taking the lead when an overhead kick from Frazier Campbell went a fraction high.
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Brede Hangeland flicked the ball on for Yannick Bolasie later in the opening spell, but he could not test Joe Hart after holding off Zabaleta.
The Argentina defender had the best chance of the half just before the break when a high ball fell to him in the middle of Palace's penalty area, but he chipped wide left.
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The Premier League champions looked brighter at the start of the second half, and broke the deadlock less than five minutes after the restart when a Silva strike deflected off Scott Dann to loop over Speroni and into the back of the net.
Silva almost set up a second for the hosts a couple of minutes later as he squared the ball to Yaya Toure, but the Ivorian could not keep the ball down.
The Spaniard added his second just after the hour mark when a pacy run from Aleksandar Kolarov set up Silva to guide the ball in from close range.
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Palace thought that they had found a way back into the match when James McArthur headed in just seven minutes after Silva's second, but the goal was ruled out for offside, although replays suggested that it should have stood.
City put the win beyond doubt inside the final 10 minutes when a quick break caught Palace out at the back, leaving James Milner to slide the ball in for Toure to power in off the post.
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Despite the scoreline, City remain second in the table, behind leaders Chelsea only on goal difference, while Palace sit 16th.
Sian Cowper
