Roy Hodgson says goalscorer Andros Townsend's header which cracked the post would've been the “real icing on the cake” as Crystal Palace shocked Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium.

After he hit a superb volley from some 25 yards out to hand Palace the lead, he headed the ball off the post before Max Meyer was brought down inside the box for a penalty.

Captain Luka Milivojevic converted from 12 yards out as the visitors stormed back from Ilkay Gundogan's opener, and held on for all three points despite a late goal from Kevin de Bruyne.

Palace's victory is their first away from home against defending champions City for 28 years and ends their 13-match unbeaten run at home.

READ: Where Hodgson ranks Palace's shock Man City win in his career

Hodgson said: “He almost scored with his head, and that would've been the real icing on the cake. We got a penalty as a result of it because Meyer was fouled after the ball rebounded from the post.

“But the real icing on the cake wouldn't have been the volley, because I think Andros has always got one of those in his locker somewhere along the way, but the powerful header - if that had gone in that would've really made me happy.

“His performance in general was excellent, really excellent, but that goes for quite a lot of the players.”

READ: Player ratings from Crystal Palace's stunning win over Man City

It was after Jeffrey Schlupp cancelled out the Gundogan opener, and Townsend's strike gave Palace the lead, that Milivojevic would add a third without reply for the visitors.

Meyer was brought down inside the penalty area by Kyle Walker, which led to referee Andre Marriner pointing to the spot.

De Bruyne, who has recently returned from an injury absence alongside Sergio Aguero, lobbed goalkeeper Vicente Guaita from outside the 18-yard box to make it 3-2.

His supposed cross lifted above the stand-in for Wayne Hennessey to beat him on 85 minutes, however, the deficit proved too much to overcome for City.