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Elliot Anderson has already offered glimpses of why Manchester City were ready to spend big to bring him in from Nottingham Forest during his first two appearances for the club. Anderson showed signs of his quality in Manchester City’s FA Community Shield defeat to Arsenal. Against Bournemouth last weekend, he was arguably City’s standout performer during the 63 minutes he was on the pitch. Last night, Elliot Anderson showed precisely why Manchester City were so determined to sign him. He was outstanding in midfield and played a major role as his side left Selhurst Park with a 4-1 win over Crystal Palace.

The qualities Anderson would bring to Manchester City were already well established. During his time at Nottingham Forest and through his displays for England, he showed he is an all-action midfielder who is effective on both sides of the game. Anderson is relentless in duels, and his ability to regain possession is a major part of his game. On the ball, he possesses a broad passing range and can break lines through both his passing and his dribbling.

Against Crystal Palace last night, Anderson displayed all of those attributes. The England international controlled the midfield and helped drive his team forward in possession while also winning the ball back whenever needed. The brief statistics below, courtesy of Squawka, offer an indication of Elliot Anderson’s impact against Crystal Palace. Add that to what was visible on the pitch, and Anderson was exceptional in midfield.

What stood out most in Anderson’s display was the amount of ground he covered both with and without the ball. He seemed to be everywhere for Manchester City at Selhurst Park. The England international disrupted Palace’s play with his ability to win duels throughout the match. Perhaps the biggest compliment to his performance was that Crystal Palace produced most of their best attacking moments only when Anderson was bypassed in midfield.

With the ball at his feet, Anderson helped keep City’s possession game flowing through his wide range of passing. He broke the lines regularly, and his quality in possession looks set to become a weapon that Enzo Maresca will make even greater use of over time. Elliot Anderson was also unafraid to organise his teammates with instructions on the pitch, and that was difficult to miss at times at Selhurst Park.

Elliot Anderson showed exactly why Manchester City were prepared to break the bank to sign him against Crystal Palace last night. He looked far more comfortable in his role at Selhurst Park, and that was impossible to ignore.

Speaking to Sky Sports after his team’s win, Anderson said he had been nervous before making his home debut for Manchester City against Bournemouth last Sunday. He also said that Enzo Maresca’s game plan worked exactly as intended. Anderson explained: “I felt more at home today. My first outing at the Etihad was special though I felt very nervous and two wins from two is great. Everyone is really happy and everyone gave their all. The game plan went just as we wanted.”

Manchester City had to do everything possible to sign Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest. They had to make him the club’s most expensive signing to secure him. City knew exactly what they were getting when they brought in Elliot Anderson. Last night against Crystal Palace brought the first real glimpse of that. Anderson delivered an excellent midfield performance, and it is highly likely to be a display he can build on.