Manchester City roared into Selhurst Park on Friday and absolutely dropped a 4-1 victory on Crystal Palace, continuing manager Enzo Maresca’s winning Premier League start. This wasn’t just another win, it was a statement game where Rayan Cherki and Erling Haaland both netted two goals, showcasing exactly why this squad is already looking like a force.
Cherki and Haaland Delivered The Double Punch
Seriously, what Rayan Cherki pulled off out there? Glorious touches, insane dribbling skills, and then capping it all off with two goals that just reeked of genius and arrogance. The dude was rated an 8 by the BBC, and fans even gave him an 8.55 average rating for Player of the Match. This isn’t just settling in; this is a star turn. And then there’s Erling Haaland, because of course there is. He was off the mark with a trademark header and a powerhouse finish, grabbing two goals himself. Oh, and get this: Haaland has now scored in all six of his Premier League appearances at Selhurst Park. That’s just wild, right? It wasn’t just the goal scorers, either. Ruben Dias was rock solid, totally untroubled, brushing aside every challenge thrown his way. Antoine Semenyo put in work too, providing that inviting cross for Haaland’s first goal and just constantly being a threat. This Man City side, under Maresca, is clicking early.
Palace Showed Glimmers, But Couldn’t Keep Up
Credit where it’s due, Crystal Palace had moments, especially with Adam Wharton running the show in midfield. The guy’s a class act, with composure, vision, and a superb passing range. He was at the heart of everything good Palace tried to do, even though they were eventually over-run. Dean Henderson also pulled off some fine saves early on from Anderson, Semenyo, and Cherki, even if he had no chance on City’s goals. Yeremy Pino even offered a real threat, with his splendid free-kick going down as a Gianluigi Donnarumma own goal. But ultimately, Palace just couldn’t hang. Chris Richards had a good battle with Haaland, but we all know how that one was gonna end, and Richards even missed a first-half header he should’ve scored. Tyrick Mitchell missed a big chance to equalize, too. Eddie Nketiah looked lively early but faded and wasted a crucial opportunity in the second half. They worked hard, but they were no match for City’s firepower.
Man City’s commanding 4-1 win, fueled by Cherki’s brilliance and Haaland’s relentless scoring, sends a clear message early in the season. This team isn’t just looking good, they’re looking unstoppable right now. You gotta be excited for what’s next from this squad.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by BBC Sport.
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