Teenager Kelechi Iheanacho climbed off the bench to earn a 1-0 win for Manchester City at Crystal Palace in stoppage time and preserve the Barclays Premier League leaders’ 100 per cent record.
City, who gave a first-half debut to record signing Kevin De Bruyne following an injury to talisman Sergio Aguero, were set to be held for the first time this term.
But it was another attacking talent, 18-year-old Nigerian Iheanacho, who stole the headlines with his first goal for City as he converted from close range shortly after coming on as an 89th-minute replacement for Wilfried Bony.
Jesus Navas earlier passed up a glorious chance to break the deadlock for Manuel Pellegrini’s men but Palace could equally reflect on Jason Puncheon and Dwight Gayle going close before the late twist.
City are now five points clear of Arsenal at the Barclays Premier League summit and 11 points better off than champions Chelsea.
Samir Nasri and Bony came into the City XI because of respective ankle and hamstring problems for David Silva and Raheem Sterling.
Palace made two enforced changes in defence, with Martin Kelly and Brede Hangeland replacing Joel Ward (knee) and Damien Delaney (knock), while Yannick Bolasie returned to Alan Pardew's starting line-up and the winger fired an early shot over from the right-hand side of the penalty area.
City goalkeeper Joe Hart pushed a looping, deflected effort from Yohan Cabaye behind before Bony called opposite number Alex McCarthy into action with a powerful header from Navas’s cross.
Bolasie was the next man to test Hart as a lively opening continued and the hosts had a 17th-minute penalty claim rejected when Fernandinho appeared to trip Cabaye.
As City sought to counter from that moment of danger, Scott Dann caught Aguero heavily on the right knee with a robust challenge.
The defender was booked and Aguero hobbled off in clear discomfort after 24 minutes to herald De Bruyne's introduction.
McCarthy thwarted Bony at close quarters after De Bruyne created the chance, and he stung McCarthy's palms with a drive as the first half wound down, while Palace’s Bakary Sako blazed over at the back post in stoppage time.
In the 50th minute, Navas latched onto De Bruyne’s sumptuous through ball and rounded McCarthy, only to scuff wide of a gaping goal left-footed.
To compound City's frustration, Samir Nasri then went down under pressure in the area from his French compatriot Cabaye but referee Mike Jones was unmoved.
Palace attacks had become somewhat sparing by midway through the second half but speculative strikes off target by Fernandinho and Nasri underlined their defensive resilience.
And Hart had to remain alert to keep out Puncheon's header from Pape Souare's raking cross - the hosts' clearest chance of the contest.
Palace looked the most likely winners in the closing stages, Dwight Gayle prodding wastefully wide from Zaha's centre, but Iheanacho pounced on his second senior appearance after McCarthy kept out Nasri's shot.
Crystal Palace manager Alan Pardew: "Even though we beat Manchester City last season this was a better performance.
"It’s a shame about the injury to Aguero because we are not a malicious team. We both knew this was going to be a tough game and it was.
"We are closer to the top teams this season and we gave Manchester City more problems than we have in the past."
Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini: "Kelechi is a very young player - he worked with the rest of the team all week. In front of him are Kun and Bony who are very good players, but he is an important striker who still has a lot to improve.
"Palace started strongly but didn't have many chances to score. After half-time, we had more clear chances and finally we scored the goal which we deserved.
"I am very happy with the attitude and the way we are playing. I hope we can continue playing the same way."
Player ratings
Norwich: Ruddy (6), Wisdom (7), Martin (6), Bassong (7), Brady (7), Redmond (7), Howson (8), Tettey (7), Jarvis (7), Hoolahan (9), Jerome (7).
Subs: Dorrans (6),Olsson (5), Mbokani (6).
Bournemouth: Boruc (6), Francis (5), Elphick (5), Cook (6), Smith (5), Ritchie (5), Surman (6), O'Kane (4), King (5), Stanislas (4), Wilson (6).
Subs: Murray (5), Kermorgant (5), Gosling (5).
Man of the match: Wes Hoolahan
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