City returned to winning ways on Tuesday evening with an exceptional 3-1 win over Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park.

A double for Cresswell and Ryan Shawcross' fifth of the season cancelled out Dougie Freedman's second half equalizer.

The three points elevates Tony Pulis' side in to joint second on 20 points.

The City boss shuffled things around ahead of the match bringing Carl Dickinson in to the team at the expense of Parkin.

Cresswell moved up front to partner Ricardo Fuller in Parkin's absence, while Liam Lawrence switched from right to left to occupy the left wing.

Rory Delap moved out to the right, with Dominic Matteo returning to his favoured central midfield role.

Clint Hill was also named on the substitutes bench after returning from a rib injury.

The match started brightly for the Potters, with top goalscorer Ricardo Fuller trying his luck from range, but sadly the ball flew past Julian Speroni's post.

Cresswell then set off on a mazy run, but after beating two defenders he misplaced his shot, and Matt Lawrence cleared the danger.

Neil Warnock's side then created their first chance after 15 minutes. Clinton Morrison burst on to a clever Carl Fletcher through ball, but City's defence stood firm to clear the ball.

Morrison then tested the hands of Simonsen from close range, but the Potters keeper saved well before Paul Dickov lashed the rebound wide.

Both side's pushed for a goal as the half drew to a close, but efforts from John Eustace and James Scowcroft were well saved.

The second half restart couldn't have got off to a better start for the Potters, with Cresswell heading home from 6-yards following Lawrence's in-swinging free kick.

However, barely two minutes later the Eagles were level.

Substitute Freedman danced his way past Shawcross before prodding the ball under Simonsen and in to the bottom right hand corner from 12-yards.

Palace looked to have a second wind, and when Morrison swivelled and shot, it looked like the hosts would go in to the lead, but thankfully for City his curling effort dipped just over the bar.

A frantic second half continued on the hour mark as Cresswell scored his second of the evening to put Pulis' side ahead.

Lawrence weaved his way past a couple of defenders before launching a ferocious shot which cannoned off the post, before the former Preston hit-man fired through a crowd of defenders in to the back of the net.

James Scowcroft almost levelled for Warnock's side in the 66^th minute, but his volley went just over.

City continued to press forward, and they made it three in the 74^th minute, thanks to Shawcross' fifth of the season.

Rory Delap fired a thunderous effort which crashed the crossbar, before the on loan Manchester United defender headed the rebound off the bar and behind the line, with substitute Parkin, who replaced Fuller, hammering home to make sure.

The Eagles tried to claw themselves back in to the game, but City held out for a comfortable win.