 |
| Kevin De Bruyne and Kelechi Iheanacho celebrating during the 5-1 win over Palace |
THE headline on Kelechi Iheanacho’s interview in the match programme read: “Remember my name.”
A name like that is difficult to forget and it was certainly on the lips of every Manchester City fan last night after the 19-year-old Nigerian striker’s impressive first senior start in this Capital One Cup romp.
Iheanacho set up City’s second goal for Kevin De Bruyne in the first half and added the third himself after De Bruyne had returned the compliment in the second half.
Wilfried Bony had set City on the way while Yaya Toure added the fourth from the penalty spot as City made amends for Sunday’s bore-draw in the Manchester derby by making it 16 goals in their last three home games.
Damien Delaney grabbed a late consolation for Palace only for Manu Garcia to make it a crushing 5-1.
 |
| Wilfried Bony heading Man City into the lead at the Etihad |
Palace will be sick of the sight of Iheanacho because he came on as a substitute to score a last-gasp winner at Selhurst Park last month. And Palace’s exit means London will have no representatives in the last eight.
The victory came at a cost for City, however, with Pablo Zabaleta carried off with what looked a serious knee injury.
Both teams made six changes from the weekend with each manager giving a young striker a chance.
For City, Iheanacho was handed his first start after some impressive cameos as a substitute, and Patrick Bamford made only his second start for Palace since starting a loan spell from Chelsea.
Pellegrini promised that after Sunday's Manchester derby bore-draw City would resume normal attacking service and his team lived up to the billing. After only two minutes De Bruyne squandered a chance
 |
| De Bruyne doubling City's lead against Palace |
Palace had a good opening themselves when Wilfried Zaha cut the ball back to Joe Ledley.
His shot was deflected into the path of Yanick Bolasie but the effort was smothered by Willy Cabellero, no doubt anxious to make amends for a nightmare in his only previous outing this season, the 4-1 defeat at Tottenham.
Bolasie and Zabaleta both needed to be bandaged after a painful clash of heads but they were able to continue after treatment.
The delay seemed to affect Palace because moments after the restart they lost their defensive concentration.
Bony stole a yard on his marker Adrian Mariappa to power home a header from Aleksandar Kolarov’s outswinging corner. The header was so powerful that Jordan Mutch, standing on the line, could not keep the ball out.
 |
| Iheanacho tucking away City's third goal |
Bony squandered two chances to increase their lead but it was De Bruyne who continued his hot streak since joining the club by making it 2-0 just before half-time. It was a simple tap-in at the far post after being set up by Iheanacho’s unselfish pass.
Bony’s mixed night continued when he spooned a good chance over the bar after a great run by Iheanacho had opened up Palace. City made the game safe just before the hour when Iheanacho marked a promising full debut with the third goal.
De Bruyne turned the ball back from the byline and Bony's dummy wrong-footed the Palace defence. Iheanacho had time to take a touch before rifling a shot home from 10 yards.
To their credit, Palace kept plugging away. Zaha slipped over as he looked set for a consolation and Bamford's shot was blocked by Cabellero.
Yaya Toure, skipper for the night, added the fourth form the penalty spot after Delaney wrestled Eliaquim Mangala to the ground as they tussled to reach a corner. Delaney then made sure Palace got on the socresheet but Garcia applied the final touches to an overwhelming win.
 |
| Yaya Toure smashing his penalty kick into the net |
City boss Manuel Pellegrini tipped Iheanacho for a bright future.
He said: “He is a very good player and it was a very good performance. He is not just a striker because he made assists for two of the other goals.
“I am very happy for him but he has a lot of things to improve and he must continue working on his game.
“I didn’t have any doubts (about playing him). I see how he works every day. His personality is also a one of the important things. He is very young but he can play a lot of games in the Premier League.”
Pellegrini confirmed that Zabaleta had damaged medial knee ligaments but will not know the full extent of the damage untll he has a scan tomorrow.
Post a Comment Blogger Facebook Disqus