Allan McGregor: Barely had a save to make all afternoon as Palace struggled to test the returning Scot, but he was left exposed and helpless to prevent Bannan's late winner. 6
Ahmed Elmohamady: A wonderful last-ditch challenge prevented Gayle from having a clear chance on the break but his manager lamented the right-back's role for the goal. Little sign of his attacking game, either. 5
Paul McShane: Went through the wars in the City defence. First cut open his head when clashing with Chamakh and then forced off with a hamstring injury. Scan results will decide if he misses Liverpool. 6
Curtis Davies (starman)
Little to fault in the centre-back's performance and for long periods it looked as though he would grind out a fourth straight clean-sheet at home. Almost grabbed a goal at the other end too. 6
Maynor Figueroa: Started at left-back and switched inside to centre-half for the final half hour. A solid, if unspectacular, performance from the Honduran and won the supporters man of the match prize. 6
Robert Koren: The captain returned to the starting line-up but couldn't deliver the creative spark his side sought. Like many of his attacking colleagues, failed to do enough to trouble Palace. 5
Tom Huddlestone
Lacked the influence supporters have come to expect from their main man and shaded by Jedinak in the midfield tussle. City's record buy is capable of much more than this tepid showing. 5
Jake Livermore: A dip in form is being felt by the on-loan Spurs man at present. He was denied an equaliser at the death but it couldn't mask a frustrating display. City need his urgency to return. 5
Robbie Brady: Appeared undercooked on his return from injury. Poor use of the ball often saw him responsible for the breakdown of City's play and struggled to make an impact before being replaced at the break. 5
George Boyd: Did some wonderful things, like the assist for Sagbo's chance, but also typified City's sloppiness. A bad error in his own half gave Gayle a sight of goal and he was relieved to see a shot wide. 6
Yannick Sagbo: Spurned City's best chance when sent clear on goal by Boyd and denied by Speroni. Drifted in and out of the game, but service sent in his direction was aimless at best. Needs support. 5
Subs
Danny Graham (for Brady 46): Given a full half to make his presence felt but the telling contributions were lacking. 5
Liam Rosenior (for McShane 59:) Came closer than any of his attacking team-mates to a goal when thumping the post from distance. 6
Gedo (for Koren 77): A Premier League debut finally arrived but there were no heroics from the Egyptian. 6
Not used: Steve Harper, Alex Bruce, David Meyler, Abdoulaye Faye
