De Bruyne insists he doesn't like early kick-offs

Kevin De Bruyne revealed he doesn't like playing in the early kick-off following Man City's win over Crystal Palace.

Pep Guardiola's side needed nothing less than win at Selhurst Park to secure the three points and take the initiative in the title race.

Palace clearly had other ideas though and Jean-Philippe Mateta fired the Eagles in front after just three minutes.

The lead would ultimately prove to be short-lived, as a De Bruyne netted a magnificent goal to put his side back on level pegging in a first-half where City appeared several levels below their all-conquering best.

At half-time Guardiola replaced struggling defender Josko Gvardiol with Manuel Akanji, a tactical switch that reinvigorated the visitors in the second half.

Rico Lewis put his side in front, before De Bruyne set up Erling Haaland before adding a second for himself to mark 100 goals in all competitions for the club.

Victory sees the the ball firmly back in Arsenal and Liverpool's court as the title race continues to heat up.

Victory put the defending champions level on points with Jurgen Klopp's side in top spot, but speaking following the game De Bruyne admitted he would prefer not to play in the early kick-off.

Now that we won I like it but I don't like the early kickoff to be honest,' he said on TNT Sports.

'I don't know how to really assess [The title race] I think the only thing we can really do is try to play as good as possible and get as many points.

'Obviously now we can just look at the games and see how they do but we've got another game on Tuesday so  we basically just have to go home as quick as possible. Have a little rest and get ready for that.'

On Tuesday the Citizens will travel to the Bernabeu to face Real Madrid in a heavyweight clash in