Manchester City were unable to make it back-to-back wins in the Premier League after drawing 2-2 with Crystal Palace on Saturday evening.
Kyle Walker, Rico Lewis, Savinho and Matheus Nunes returned in place of Manuel Akanji, Nathan Ake, Jack Grealish and Jeremy Doku in the changes presented by the champions.
Colombian Daniel Munoz got the host to a perfect start four minutes played when he lashed a well-worked pass by Will Hughes past a sprawling City goalkeeper Stefan Ortega.
Returning stalwart Ilkay Gundogan seek a response well towards the midway period with a first-time shot from close-range off uncertain defending, but arrowed off the upright.
The title holders were level on the half-hour mark after top-scorer Erling Haaland showed the presence of mind to rise high in the box and nod in Nunes's curling cross.
Palace looked to regain the lead a little later, but the visitors steered well clear and managed to go to the break on an equal footing.
No substitutions were thrown either side before the commencement for the second half, as matters remained evenly poised with maximum points laying on the line.
The Eagles regained the lead ten minutes from the break when a floated corner saw Maxence Lacroix launch a strong leap to head in the bottom-corner.
Frenchman Jean-Philippe Mateta looked to put the host further clear following a relentless forward run, but he was kept in check by Ortega and Ruben Dias.
City's never-say-die attitude came through and levelled midway through the second half when Lewis whipped a precise reverse pass from Bernardo Silva in the top corner.
Brazilian Savinho went close to giving the visitors the lead for the first time in the match with a snap shot from a combination with Silva, but Dean Henderson palmed away to safety.
That was the off-season signing's last participation in proceedings and had manager Pep Guardiola substitute him to bring on Doku.
Lewis, who levelled things up, turned villain five minutes from time when he picked up a red-card for a strong studs-up challenge on Trevor Chalobah.
Palace were unable to take advantage of the numerical superiority and settled for a point apiece – further derailing the Citizens' title hopes.