Yaya Toure capped a surprise return to the Manchester City starting XI with two goals to earn a 2-1 win over Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park.
The Ivorian had not featured for City this season but showed no rustiness with his deflected shot in the 39th minute the difference in a tight first half.
Palace came back into the match in the second half and equalised thanks to a low shot from Connor Wickham, a substitute.
But City responded and Toure was allowed to convert Kevin De Bruyne’s low corner to send City level on 27 points with Liverpool.
Chelsea could go top with victory at Middlesbrough on Sunday.
For Palace the result was a fifth Premier League defeat in a row and they lie a point off the relegation zone.
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