Erling Haaland proves himself title race's most important player as Man City thump Crystal Palace

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There is a very familiar theme to Manchester City’s title challenge. Except this time, City are putting the frighteners on Arsenal before Christmas rather than leaving it until the run-in.

Pep Guardiola ’s men look ominously impressive with Erling Haaland in sensational form, Phil Foden back towards his best and they have a new supply line in Rayan Cherki.

City responded to Arsenal beating Wolves on Saturday night by winning a really difficult fixture at Selhurst Park when they were ruthlessly efficient as they overcame Crystal Palace .

It put City back to within two points of the top with their fifth straight win in all competitions. You might have thought City winning at Real Madrid on Wednesday night would take its strain.

But four days later, City produced again. Haaland’s sensational opener - with his first effort on target - provided the platform for the win.

Haaland despatched a late penalty to make it 17 goals in the Premier League this season. And he has got a grand total of 36 for club and country.

And there was a touch of revenge against Palace keeper Dean Henderson after the FA Cup final last May.

Henderson was lucky not to see red at Wembley when Palace upset City to win the FA Cup but this time at least stayed in his penalty box before upending substitute Savinho.

This was a seriously impressive response from Guardiola’s men and Haaland is so obviously the most important player from all three title challengers: City, Arsenal and Aston Villa .

Even when City are not at their best - and they made a sluggish start - they know they can always rely on Haaland to get them going and deliver.

Haaland is in deadly, unstoppable form while Foden is back to the sort of form which carried him to individual awards the season before last.

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City had an off year last season and, while they have defensive frailties, they look wonderful going forward. Arsenal have finished second in each of the last three seasons and that is why they must fear City again. They make a habit of steaming through on the rails.

Palace started brightly and Adam Wharton’s through ball released Yeremy Pino and, while City appealed for offside, the Palace forward smashed a shot against the bar.

That was the story of Palace’s day. Missed chances, wasted openings and ponderous finishing. If you let City off the hook, they will punish you.

Sure enough, that is what happened. City produced a rare piece of quality in the 41st minute and typically it was Haaland’s first effort on target. And he had barely touched the ball until then.

Matheus Nunes swung over a delicious cross from the right, Haaland rose unmarked and powered a brilliant bullet header into the far corner.

Palace continued to threaten. Wharton hit a post. But then Foden stepped up. Haaland was involved in the build-up before Cherki set up Foden and his low shot flew beyond Palace keeper Henderson’s despairing left hand and into the bottom corner.

That was Cherki’s sixth assist in 466 minutes. He is a new threat. As Palace pressed forward, City came again.

City substitute Savinho ran from his own half, Henderson stayed inside his box and tripped the Brazilian. You might remember Henderson was lucky not to see red in the cup final when he upended Haaland outside the box.

Revenge is a dish best served cold as Haaland smashed home a penalty to leave the Palace fans chanting about winning the FA Cup last May.