Kelechi Iheanacho becomes City Hero

The Nigeria teenage substitute forced the ball home from close range within a minute of his arrival to give City another win as they now move five points clear at the top of the table at Selhurst Park.

Manchester City had looked like being denied with Sergio Aguero's first-half injury hampering their progress but the late goal also ensured that new signing Kevin De Bruyne, Aguero's replacement, marked his debut with a win.

The game looked fair in the first half but City certainly had the better of the second half and should have gone ahead much earlier when Jesus Navas missed an open goal. David Silva's injury and the late withdrawal of Raheem Sterling forced City coach Pellegrini into changes and he switched to a 4-4-2 with Samir Nasri and Wilfried Bony coming into the side.

Samir Nasri fired in a hopeful shot from distance and McCarthy was unable to hold onto the ball, Iheanacho, who had only come onto the pitch a matter of minutes before as a late substitute for Bony, burst beyond his markers and forced the ball home for his first Premier League goal.

The Nigerian might even have scored a second in stoppage time but he will settle for the winner that, as well as extending City's lead at the top to five points, also moves them 11 points ahead of champions Chelsea.