Toure — a surprise inclusion in the line-up — scored either side of Conor Wickham's effort to seal all three points for the visitors
Yaya Toure came in from the cold to score twice and lift Manchester City up level with Liverpool at the top of the Premier League.
The Ivory Coast midfielder, who was playing for the first time since August 24, scoredthe opening goal after 36 minutes after exchanging passes with Nolito.
Connor Wickham came off the bench to score a second-half equaliser when he beat Claudio Bravo at the near post. The move was a classic Palace counter-attack after Joel Ward cleared off the line after a Sergio Aguero shot and Wilf Zaha charged forward.
But Toure scored the winner after 83 minutes when he tapped home a Kevin De Bruyne corner unmarked on the six-yard line – and one Manchester City fan celebrated on the Selhurst Park pitch with his little girl in his arms. It was only City's third win in 10 matches.
Vincent Kompany went off in the first half with another injury after colliding with Bravo and with John Stones – along with Gael Clichy and Ilkay Gundogan left at home before Wednesday's Champions League tie at Borussia Monchengladbach – Bacary Sagna had to fill in at centre-back.
1. It is great to see Yaya back
The 33-year-old may not move like the wind but Toure – who has finally resolved the dispute between his agent Dimitri Seluk and Pep Guardiola – offers security and a nice passing range in midfield. And he has always scored goals
2. Not a good time for Alan Pardew to lose his fifth consecutive match
The Palace major shareholder Josh Harris was at Selhurst Park to check out his investment. The effort was there but little spark.
Palace have now gone 17 straight games without keeping a clean sheet. The last being against Everton at Selhurst Park on 13 April – back when there was clearly no chance of Brexit or Trump
3. Guardiola can't rely on Vincent Kompany
The Belgian lasted only 36 minutes in his first appearance since October 26 - and only fifth of an injury-hit season - before going off with concussion. With John Stones left at home, City had no centre-back on the bench and Bacary Sagna had to shift across
4. Connor Wickham likes playing Manchester City
The former Ipswich and Sunderland has now scored four Premier League goals against City, more than any other opponent he has faced. And he added another focal point to the Palace attack alongside the previously isolated Christian Benteke.
5. Shankly was wrong. There is more to life than football
To honour the victims of the Croydon tram crash, an immaculate one minute silence was observed at Selhurst Park.
There was a minute's applause was after 19 minutes in memory of 19-year-old Palace fans Dane Chinnery and Harry Davies, who was hit by a train last month. Eagles players and staff have donated tset up for the families of the victims.
PLAYER RATINGS
Crystal Palace
Hennessey 6
First Premier League start since August in place of Mandanda.
Ward 6
Cleared Aguero shot off the line to set up counter for equaliser.
Tomkins 6
Deflected Toure's shot into the roof of Hennessey's net.
Dann 6
Palace skipper mostly handled threat of Aguero well.
Kelly 5
Is still being unwound from getting twisted by Sterling down right.
McArthur 6
Scotland international worked hard in midfield battle.
Cabaye 5
Same blond hair style as Lionel Messi. Unfortunately doesn't play like him.
Townsend 6
Spent all first half tracking back. Booked. Subbed off at break.
Puncheon 7
Palace's most creative player. Took out Zabaleta off the ball.
Zaha 7
Sparked into life after break and set up Wickham's equaliser.
Benteke 6
Started to scare the City backline with good service.
Subs:
Wickham/Townsend 46
Lee/Benteke 81
Sako/Kelly 86
Manchester City
Bravo 6
Beaten at near post by Wickham strike for equaliser.
Sagna 7
Did well as emergency centre-back in Kompany's place.
Otamendi 6
Stepped up to challenge of being top defender.
Kompany 5
Lasted 36 minutes in his latest comback. Ovation when he left
Kolarov 5
Escaped booking for naughty challenge on Zaha.
Fernandinho 6
Covered lots of ground alongside – and for - Toure.
Toure 8
First goals since March 5 on his return to the Premier League.
Sterling 7
Started brightly going forward then dug into defensive duties.
De Bruyne 6
Bright in early stages but faded out of game.
Nolito 6
Nice touch to set up Toure goal. Worked hard.
Aguero 6
Sliced second chance over and saw effort cleared off line.
Subs:
Zabaleta/Kompany 37
Silva/Nolito 67
Fernando/Aguero 86
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