Premier League: De Bruyne double helps City beat Palace and march on in title race

Kevin de Bruyne struck twice to inspire Manchester City to a dominant 4-2 win at Crystal Palace on Saturday and move the defending champion level on points with Liverpool at the top of the Premier League table.

Stunned by conceding an early goal scored by Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta, De Bruyne equalised with a superb shot and after second-half goals by Rico Lewis and Erling Haaland the Belgian midfielder added his second.

Odsonne Edouard grabbed a late consolation for the host but with seven games remaining City is level on 70 points with Liverpool and two ahead of Arsenal, although both its title rivals have a game in hand.

Mateta had shocked the travelling City supporters with a goal in the third minute, but De Bruyne, who along with Haaland was rested for Wednesday’s 4-1 win over Aston Villa, levelled in the 13th minute with an inch-perfect finish into the top corner.

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Lewis put the visitor ahead soon after the interval, Haaland bagged his 19th goal of the season in the 66th minute from close range and De Bruyne netted his 100th goal for City four minutes later.

Arsenal travels to Brighton & Hove Albion later on Saturday and Liverpool go to Manchester United on Sunday.

West Ham beat Wolves with Ward-Prowse special

West Ham United’s James Ward-Prowse scored directly from a corner kick to earn his side a 2-1 Premier League win at Wolverhampton Wanderers that had looked unlikely after a poor first half on Saturday.

Dead-ball specialist Ward-Prowse curled in a superb delivery in the 84th minute that completely fooled Wolves keeper Jose Sa as West Ham won for the first time in five league games.

Wolves was left furious though after Max Kilman had a 99th-minute equaliser ruled out for offside after a VAR check.

The win kept them in seventh position with 48 points, level with sixth-placed Manchester United, while Wolves missed the chance to boost its European hopes and stay 11th.

Wolves dominated the first half and led through Pablo Sarabia’s penalty awarded for a foul on Rayan Ait-Nouri by Emerson. But Wolves was sloppy after the break and West Ham equalised in the 72nd minute with a Lucas Paqueta spot kick.