Manchester City would have lost this game without Erling Haaland. In fact, City have lost this exact fixture a fair few times without Erling Haaland in the past.
Crystal Palace had, at half-time, seemed destined to extend their points tally at the Etihad over the last five seasons to 10. Two goals clear and having not conceded a shot on target, Patrick Vieira looked set to repeat the same trick as last year.
But 39 minutes later, Pep Guardiola was aggressively pounding the chest of Haaland after allowing his striker a standing ovation.