It wasn't much of a surprise when Crystal Palace silenced the Etihad in August with two first half goals.
Palace have a better record against City than most, and know how to smash-and-grab their way to three points in East Manchester. The only surprise was that Palace scored early, rather than late on.
Erling Haaland's electric start to life at City ensured that Palace's efforts went unrewarded, but that didn't prevent Pep Guardiola from describing his side as 'soft' after the game. His fears would go on to bother him until January, but City have since turned around their attitude and also eradicated that softness when it comes to conceding.
