Manchester City got back to winning ways in the Premier League with a 2-0 win over Crystal Palace on Saturday.

Pep Guardiola’s side suffered a surprise defeat at home to Wolves before the international break but eased to a comfortable win at Selhurst Park.

Gabriel Jesus got the scoring started before David Silva added a second just before half-time.

Manchester City were without Kyle Walker (ill) and Nicolas Otamendi (knock) for their match at Crystal Palace.

Riyad Mahrez and Sergio Auguero also missed out, dropping to the bench as Benjamin Mendy, Kevin De Bruyne, Bernando Silva and Gabriel Jesus returned to the starting XI.

City fielded midfielders Fernandinho and Rodri at the heart of defence, but Palace were without goalkeeper Vicente Guaita and Martin Kelly due to injury.

Wayne Hennessey and James Tomkins replaced them, while captain Luka Milivojevic returned from suspension to take the place of James McCarthy in midfield.

Bernardo Silva was afforded some time on the right and cut inside before picking out Jesus and he stooped low and headed in via the post to score his 50th goal for City.

It was perfect timing for Guardiola’s men and it took them 95 more seconds to make it 2-0 in front of the Homesdale Stand.

City counter-attacked at pace and De Bruyne carried the ball forward before play switched to Sterling and he provided a delightful scooped ball over the top of James Tomkins and Joel Ward for David Silva to run onto and volley expertly between Hennessey’s legs.

With 41 minutes on the clock, it looked like it could now be a long night for Palace, but they started brightly after the break and Cheikhou Kouyate fired over from a promising position four minutes into the second period.

Sterling, who had six goals in six games against Palace before this fixture, should have added to that tally, but hit a post from inside the area and then skewed wide moments later.

Hodgson had seen enough and introduced Andros Townsend in the 55th minute with the hope he could produce another wonder goal against City like he managed at the Etihad in December.

The visitors were looking more likely, however, and only a strong hand by Hennessey denied Jesus a second in the 69th minute.

Christian Benteke entered the pitch with 16 minutes left and nearly found the net with his first touch, but Ederson produced a magnificent save to tip the header onto the crossbar.

De Bruyne hit a post not long after and Sterling swept wide from eight yards before Zaha had a fierce drive saved, but City comfortably saw out the final exchanges to close the gap with Liverpool.

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