City strolled to their eighth straight victory on saturday atEastlands against Crystal Palace despite having no first choice strikers available. Milner was given the No 9 role because of injuries to Sergio Aguero, Edin Dzeko and Stevan Jovetic, but Silva provided the knockout punch with two quick-fire goals after 49 and 61 minutes following a stalemate first half. The win left City on 39 points,level with leaders Chelsea.

City started the game brightly as expected and their first chance came after Zabaleta cut the ball back from the byline and Nasri’s first time shot rolled wide of the right post. Nasri got his second chance to threaten Julian Speroni in the Palace goal ten minutes later with a free kick routine but this time his shot flew wide of the left post.

Palace had their moments in the first half too testing Joe Hart several times.

Into the second half and from Fernandinho´s pass, Pablo Zabaleta scuttled into the area before cutting the ball back for Silva, who beat Julian Speroni with the aid of a deflection off Scott Dann.

Silva claimed his second goal in the 61st minute, neatly steering home at the near post from Aleksandar Kolarov´s left-wing centre.

James McArthur thought he had replied for Palace moments later when he headed Yannick Bolasie´s cross past Hart, but although Fernandinho appeared to have played him onside, the assistant referee´s flag went up.

Palace manager Neil Warnock called it "a disgraceful decision".

City sealed the victory after a quick effective counter attack which was lead by Navas who found Milner on the left edge of the penalty area. He spotted the run of Yaya Toure. The Ivorian took a touch and absolutely thumped the ball into the net with his left foot to mark his 150th Premier League appearance and effectively send the game to bed.

Photo: Action Images

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