Just days after being left out of the club’s clash with Aston Villa, Kevin De Bruyne offered a timely reminder of his ability as Man City defeated Crystal Palace.

The Eagles successfully frustrated Pep Guardiola’s side in the reverse fixture back in November and looked set to do the same at Selhurst Park when Jean-Philippe Mateta fired them in front after just three minutes.

In a campaign curtailed by injury De Bruyne has had limited opportunities to display his inspired best but he wasted little time making his mark on Saturday, equalising with a sublime finish on 13 minutes.

Palace defended resolutely before the interval, but the champions turned on the gas following the restart with goals from Rico Lewis, Erling Haaland and second for De Bruyne that marked his 100th in a City shirt before Odsonne Edouard’s consolation.

Here, Mail Sport’s Jack Gaughan has given his expert player ratings from Selhurst Park.

MANCHESTER CITY (3-2-4-1)

Stefan Ortega – 6.5

A Cruyff turn for the ages inside his own box when City were under intense pressure. Owns huge composure.

John Stones – 6

Looked like a man who’d been out for a while. Very rusty. Became more solid after half-time.

Ruben Dias – 6.5

Often the spare man in possession. Some good moments, some bad but defensively strong against Jean-Philippe Mateta.

Josko Gvardiol – 5

Really struggled when met one-on-one with a willing runner. Hooked at the break while on a booking.

Rico Lewis – 8

Measured performance, just as in midweek. Comfortable on the ball, good movement for the goal. A real asset.

Rodri – 6

A frighteningly poor first half; played in a daze. Gifted possession up countless times. Then great afterwards. A mixed bag.

Oscar Bobb – 7

Never looks out of place when called upon. Glides on the ball, clever decoy runs and intelligent pass selection.

Kevin De Bruyne – 9

Wonder goal made sure City hit straight back after the early opener. And later thumped in a second later to wrap the game up and got an assist.

Julian Alvarez – 7

His best work was off the ball. Offers that element of confusing defenders in tricky spaces. End product not his best.

Jack Grealish – 8

Very smart move in taking three Palace defenders out of the game for De Bruyne’s equaliser. Efficient on the left.

Erling Haaland – 7

Missed out before half-time when thwarted excellently by Dean Henderson but decent poacher’s finish to net City’s third.

Subs

Manuel Akanji (for Gvardiol, 46) – 7

Matheus Nunes (for Alvarez, 74) – 6

Mateo Kovacic (for Rodri, 74) – 6

Bernardo Silva (for De Bruyne, 90)

CRYSTAL PALACE (3-4-3)

Henderson 7; Ward 6, Andersen 6.5, Lerma 6.5; Munoz 6, Wharton 7.5, Hughes 5.5 (Ahamada 82), Mitchell 6 (Clyne 75); Ayew 6.5 (Olise 74, 6), Mateta 7 (Edouard 74, 7), Eze 6 (Schlupp 64, 7)