Manchester City's commitment to pressing persuaded Andros Townsend to smash in his goal of the season contender.
Crystal Palace claimed a shock 3-2 win at the Etihad Stadium to land a telling blow against City's Premier League title defence.
Jeffrey Schlupp cancelled out Ilkay Gundogan's opener and Luka Milivojevic's penalty 10 minutes into the second half ultimately proved decisive after Kevin De Bruyne reduced the arrears late on.
But it is Townsend's sumptuous volley from 30 yards after City only partially cleared a set-piece that will live long in the memory.