Andros Townsend described the wonder goal he scored to help beat Manchester City in a shock 3-2 win for Palace as “the cleanest strike of his career”.

The winger, who made his 100th appearance for the Eagles at the Etihad Stadium, struck a sensational volley from some 30 yards out to beat goalkeeper Ederson.

It came after Jeffrey Schlupp cancelled out Ilkay Gundogan’s opener and was later followed up by a crucial Luka Milivojevic penalty in the second half.

Despite Kevin de Bruyne’s late goal, Palace held on to win away to defending Premier League champions City for the first time in 28 years.

READ: Roy Hodgson on what would've been the 'real icing on the cake' in shock Man City win

Speaking after the game, Townsend said: “I haven't watched it back but it's definitely the cleanest strike of my career, probably the best, and one of the most important.

“To come away to City and get three points is no mean feat, I think we were incredible today defensively and everyone was structured, everyone stuck to their job, and we knew it had to be a perfect performance to get anything here.

“Thankfully we held out in the end.”

When asked whether he thought about hitting the ball after it was headed out from City’s penalty area, he added: “I think I knew I wouldn't have much time to bring it down. City are pretty good in their pressing so I knew I couldn't take a touch and let them counter, I knew I had to hit it first time, and it set up nicely for me.

“As soon as it left my foot I knew it had a chance.”

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

Palace’s win gives them a much-needed lift as they look to kick-start their season in the second half of the Premier League campaign.

But for City it means points dropped in their race to catch up with Liverpool, who defeated Wolves 2-0 to go top at Christmas.

Townsend was asked how Palace coped with City’s onslaught for the remaining 20 minutes following Milivojevic’s penalty.

He said: “Of course it's difficult but I've said before Man City are probably the team of our generation.

“I've never played against a team as good as them, especially at home. It's impossible to get the ball off them.

“We knew if we were going to get anything it'd have to be a perfect [performance], it'd have to be a disciplined performance, and like I said before everyone - down to a tee - stuck to their job and it saw us to a well-needed three points.”