Crystal Palace. The Pride of South London and Vanquishers of European "Super League" teams with ten men. Patrick Vieira's victory over Pep Guardiola became the crowning achievement of his opening ten league games in charge as his side won 2-0. Here are our takeaways: 

Vieira Shuffles the Deck

Making his first start following the international break, Zaha's impact on the game was immediate. In the Man City half in only the sixth minute, Conor Gallagher pounced on a heavy touch from Aymeric Laporte, starting a counter-attack.

Eluding the desperate lunge from Rúben Dias, Zaha, playing a 1-2 back to Gallagher, broke free of the defence. Having taken the ball to the left to create an angle, his low shot evaded Ederson, opening the scoring and stunning the home support.

Whereas the switch to 4-4-2 against Chelsea was too much of a departure on the opening day of the season, Vieira showed that within his standard 4-3-3, he could switch up the style with only a few changes, making use of the variety of talent within his squad. 

Knowing his team would find it difficult to hold onto possession against one of the league's top sides, Vieira elected to start Cheikhou Kouyaté to shield his defence in his role as a ball-winning midfielder. Ayew, as a defensive-winger, gave more structure to his flank covering Joel Ward.

The intent was clear. Against a side brimming with creative talent, Palace needed to smother the attacking play as best they could. The lone attacking option was to use the pace and trickery of Zaha on the break.

Palace led early and survived the bulk of the half before the game plan paid dividends for a second time. Laporte's day went from bad to worse. Caught out again, he dragged Zaha to the ground rather than allow him through on goal. VAR couldn't save him, as emotion boiled over for the home-side. 

The first half went to Patrick Vieira against the reigning Premier League Champions. The battle against the ten men of Guardiola would be a new tactical battle entirely.

Palace Show Defensive Resolve

If a team can come away with a result away at Man City, the defence is bound to have played its part. Showering the entire team with platitudes is therefore completely justified. 

The back five remained the same, with Kouyaté in front. Overall the team looked to hold its shape with every player other than Zaha sitting inside their half. City, who opted for a strikerless formation, sought to find a way through the Palace defence with their passing and skill rather than physicality. 

Tyrick Mitchell, whose talents won't be secret for long, tussled with Kevin de Bryune down Palace's left flank. Joel Ward continued his outstanding season down the right. Dealing with the likes of Jack Grealish and Phil Foden is an attritional battle for any team, and the concentration required wears a lot of teams down.

Beyond the back four, the midfield engine room played their part. Kouyaté brought the presence needed to disrupt Man City's passing. McArthur and Gallagher continue to defy expectations with tireless energy whilst being at opposite ends of their respective careers. 

In possession, it can still be unnerving to see a Palace team work the ball across the backline against the pressing of Man City, but such has been the improvement under Patrick Vieira. The danger didn't materialise. 

The final passing statistics won't be as pretty as when the team is dominating at home, but it offered relief rather than clearing and giving the ball back to City on every occasion.

Jordan Ayew, who will have been desperate to have scored with his final touch of the game as it sailed wide, continues to be an asset with his direct pressing and ability to close off passing lanes.

VAR saved the team from their only genuine error. Phil Foden fractionally called offside, delivered a perfect cross to Gabriel Jesus to equalise. Vicente Guaita looked like he misjudged the ball's flight as Jesus beat him at the near post. VAR, the villain last week, had a face-turn in this match. 

Attacking Substitutes Deliver Victory

All you can ask from a manager is for them to learn from their mistakes. The Arsenal game will have taught Vieira not to abandon the structure of his pressing midfield in favour of an extra defender. 

Had the team held out in North London, it would be more likely James Tomkins would have been the first preference again in Manchester. Instead, the three moves to bring on Benteke, Schlupp and Olise kept the pressure further up the pitch. 

The fresh legs of Benteke and Schlupp helped to keep up the energy against a City team who were able to throw Raheem Sterling and Riyad Mahrez into the match. Benteke, in particular, showed a fantastic work rate in challenging the Man City defenders, building on the foundations set by McArthur and Gallagher. 

Michael Olise is boasting ridiculous per 90 attacking statistics. Such has his impact been during second-half substitute appearances. Having already helped the team win against Tottenham and muster a comeback draw against Leicester from the bench, his late introduction set the stage once more.

Three minutes remained in regulation time. The Palace defence cleared their lines once more, this time to their young winger. Olise's dribbling turned Jon Stones inside and out on the counter-attack. Having threaded a through ball into the box, Zaha didn't immediately capitalise on it as the City defenders and goalkeeper crowded him out. 

Zaha managed to return the pass to Olise, who again, showing that mature composure Palace fans have already come to expect, calmly teed the ball up for Conor Gallagher to score the second. 

Gallagher went from initially passing the ball to Olise to start the breakaway, only to cover the length of the pitch and finish the move. His determination was outstanding, worthy of the man-of-the-match accolades.  

In the 93rd minute, Olise, again attempting to take on a City defender and attack the area, heeded Joel Ward's advice as he pointed him towards the corner flag to run down the clock. The damage was already done. 

The xG Battle

What team can go to the Etihad Stadium and restrict Manchester City to only 0.66 xG from 14 shots on goal? A Patrick Vieira team. 

The official statistics of 14 shots to 8 and 68% possession to 32% paints a picture of domination for City, but the chances weren't clear-cut. The defence harried and blocked where possible, and Guaita moped up everything else on target. 

The best two chances of the game fell to Palace, who were clinical in finishing both. If a team sets out to be a counter-attacking side, this is the perfect result. 

Next Up: Wolverhampton Wanderers (H)

Bruno Lage's team has had an upturn in form after a slow start to the season. Three wins and a draw in the last four matches, before their Sunday fixture against Everton, have helped them climb up the table. 

Playing Wolves would have previously felt like a fixture where Palace would be underdogs in their own stadium, but this will have changed given the team is playing this season.

The talents of their Portuguese core is well known, and Vieria won't necessarily know his best XI following the performance against Man City. But that isn't a bad thing.