Rayan Cherki starred with a brilliant brace as Manchester City thrashed Crystal Palace 4-1 on Friday, delivering a statement performance after being left out of the starting line-up in their Premier League opener.
City manager Enzo Maresca had revealed Cherki was frustrated by his omission from the starting XI for last weekend’s 2-1 victory over Bournemouth. The 23-year-old came off the bench to provide two assists in that match before earning a start at Selhurst Park.
Cherki took full advantage of the opportunity, producing a superb display that highlighted his attacking talent despite lingering questions over his discipline and willingness to play within a team-first system.
The former Lyon midfielder scored twice after Erling Haaland had given City an early lead and a Gianluigi Donnarumma own goal briefly brought Palace level.
Haaland added a second late in the match to complete City’s dominant victory and score his first goals since replacing his trademark long blond hair with a close-cropped style.
City’s new era also saw teenage Morocco midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi make his debut after joining from Lille for a reported £86 million ($116 million) earlier this week.
City had needed late goals from Marc Guehi and Josko Gvardiol to overcome Bournemouth in their first league match of the post-Guardiola era. Against Palace, however, Cherki and Haaland ensured there would be no need for another late comeback.
The result handed Palace a second consecutive defeat under new manager Pierre Sage, who replaced Oliver Glasner during the close season.
Maresca restored Guehi to his preferred centre-back position after deploying him in midfield against Bournemouth, with Nico O’Reilly partnering Elliot Anderson in central midfield.
Anderson went close to scoring his first City goal after a corner caused a scramble in the Palace box, while Haaland also saw an effort blocked.
Haaland opened the scoring in the 17th minute, rising above the Palace defence to head Antoine Semenyo’s perfectly delivered cross beyond goalkeeper Dean Henderson.
Phil Foden missed an opportunity to double City’s lead when he fired wide from Anderson’s pass before heading over from close range after Cherki picked him out.
Palace striker Eddie Nketiah wasted a chance to equalise shortly after half-time, and City soon punished the hosts.
Foden launched a powerful run before setting up Cherki, who weaved past three defenders and calmly finished into the far corner.
Palace were handed a lifeline two minutes later when Yeremy Pino’s free-kick struck the post before rebounding into the net off Donnarumma.
Cherki restored City’s two-goal advantage in the 59th minute with a fierce strike from the edge of the box that flew beyond Henderson’s outstretched hand.
Haaland completed the rout in the 84th minute, drilling the ball past Henderson from a tight angle after Foden’s pass split the Palace defence.
