Rayan Cherki scores twice as Enzo Maresca’s Manchester City go top with Crystal Palace win

Manchester City moved to the top of the table as Rayan Cherki’s two-goal performance helped them beat Crystal Palace 4-1 at Selhurst Park.

The result gives new Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca two wins from his opening two league matches, following their 2-1 victory over Bournemouth. Crystal Palace, meanwhile, remain bottom after suffering consecutive defeats.

City were tested immediately, with Gianluigi Donnarumma denying Eddie Nketiah inside the opening two minutes as Palace threatened to make the perfect start.

The visitors soon created an opportunity of their own. Dean Henderson kept out Elliot Anderson’s long-range attempt, before Erling Haaland saw the rebound blocked.

Haaland did eventually open the scoring in the 17th minute, meeting Antoine Semenyo’s delivery and guiding the ball into the top corner for his first goal of the new campaign.

Manchester City continued to look dangerous before the interval. Phil Foden missed two chances from promising positions, while Palace came close to an equaliser when Tyrick Mitchell headed wide.

City extended their lead nine minutes into the second half. Foden supplied Cherki, who worked his way beyond several challenges before keeping his composure to beat Henderson.

Palace responded quickly and reduced the deficit through an unfortunate goal for Donnarumma. Yeremy Pino’s long-range free-kick struck the post and rebounded into the net off the Manchester City goalkeeper.

Cherki restored City’s two-goal advantage before the hour mark. His powerful effort took a deflection from Chris Richards, sending it into the top corner and beyond Henderson.

The result was effectively secured late in the match when Haaland scored his second of the game, converting another assist from Foden.

Maresca said Manchester City had expected a difficult contest at Selhurst Park but praised the way his side took control after Palace’s early pressure.

“It is a tough ground,” new Man City boss Enzo Maresca said after the game. “We knew it before the game. You saw it in the first few minutes of the game. But then we were in control. The intensity, the desire of the team has been very good.”

Cherki was named player of the match after his decisive two-goal display, having also provided two assists in City’s opening win against Bournemouth.

Maresca highlighted the 22-year-old’s contribution both in possession and defensively, saying his work without the ball had been particularly important.

“He’s helping us. He’s going to help us in the future. We know he’s a quality player, last game against Bournemouth with two assists, today with two goals. But I think Rayan was very good off the ball. He was in control of Wharton and he worked very hard.”

Manchester City’s victory leaves them at the summit after the opening two matches, while Crystal Palace must recover from back-to-back losses after conceding four goals at home.