Man City stunned

Crystal Palace put three goals past defending champions Manchester City, including a stunning volley by Andros Townsend, to win 3-2 yesterday in the biggest upset of the English Premier League season so far.

Man City fell four points behind leader Liverpool with one round to go before the midway stage of the campaign as Townsend scored one of the goals of the season in City’s first league defeat at Etihad Stadium since April.

Palace hadn’t won a league game at City since 1990, had been beaten 5-0 on their two previous visits and went behind to a header from Ilkay Gundogan in the 27th minute.

Jeffrey Schlupp equalised for the visitors in the 33rd when he beat Ederson with a low leftfooted shot across goal, before a magnificent left-footed effort from Townsend put Palace ahead two minutes later.

A freekick won by Wilfried Zaha was lofted into the area and only half-cleared by City. The ball dropped invitingly to Townsend around 30 metres out and he met it with a ferocious volley that flew into the roof of the net.

Luka Milivojevic converted a penalty in the 51st after a foul by Kyle Walker on Max Meyer, as Palace led 3-1.

Palace had a nervous finish after City substitute Kevin De Bruyne made it 3-2 in the 85th with an apparent cross which Guaita couldn’t keep out. Gabriel Jesus headed over the bar as City