Rayan Cherki delivered a performance that echoed the brilliance of Lionel Messi, weaving moments of sheer enchantment as Enzo Maresca’s Manchester City maintained their flawless Premier League record with a 4-1 triumph over Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park. From the outset, the French playmaker, donning the iconic No. 10 jersey synonymous with the Argentine maestro, slipped past the Palace backline and calmly slotted the ball beyond a rooted Dean Henderson, extending City’s lead to two. The opening goal of the match had already come from Erling Haaland, who netted his first strike of the season by rising above Chris Richards and heading the ball into the net.
The early excitement was amplified by Pierre Sage’s debut at Selhurst, but Haaland’s aerial dominance set the tone. After Cherki’s opening goal, Yeremy Pino added flair by curling a free‑kick from 25 yards that struck the bar, rebounded off Gianluigi Donnarumma and was recorded as an own goal against the Italian goalkeeper. Only five minutes later, Cherki responded to Palace’s growing momentum with a daring effort that deflected off Henderson, further dampening any hopes of a comeback.
Palace pressed throughout, creating several chances, the most notable being a close‑range header from Tyrick Mitchell that went wide. Haaland capped the evening with a second, rasping finish past Henderson in the closing stages, sealing a comprehensive win. Maresca’s side now sit unbeaten after two league fixtures, delivering a scoreline that mirrors the dominance traditionally associated with his predecessor.
The match also featured a series of notable moments: - 7 minutes: Cherki’s short corner caused chaos inside the Palace box. - 17 minutes: Haaland leapt above Richards to head a looping finish from a Semenyo cross.
- 21 minutes: Phil Foden missed a clear‑cut chance, his head over the bar. - 28 minutes: Another Foden miss saw him fail to connect with an unmarked header. - 35 minutes: Palace’s Wharton supplied a dangerous cross to Mitchell, whose header drifted wide.
- 54 minutes: Cherki collected a pass from Foden, dribbled through a cluster of defenders and finished delicately with the outside of his boot. - 56 minutes: Pino’s spectacular free‑kick curled over the wall, struck the woodwork, rebounded off Donnarumma and crossed the line. - 59 minutes: Cherki’s second goal came after he shrugged off a defender, took a shoulder‑drop, and unleashed a long‑range shot that deflected off Richards before finding the net.
- 84 minutes: Haaland added his second of the night after Marc Guehi intercepted a Richards pass, fed Foden, who then set up the Norwegian striker. After the match, Cherki spoke to Sky Sports, describing his own display as "so‑so" and admitting the first half felt cramped: "In the first half we didn’t find space. I played poorly.
When I see Enzo wants to change me, I don’t like that, and I need to show I want to play, I want to score, I want to assist Erling. Today I didn’t give him many chances but next time I’ll provide more." Reflecting on his debut goal, he added, "When Erling didn’t get the ball, it was instinct. I’m very happy with the win. See you next week." Haaland, ever‑supportive, replied, "Just say what you actually mean.
You scored two top goals!" to which Cherki modestly responded, "That is nothing. I want to give a goal for him." Manager Enzo Maresca praised the team’s resilience: "It was a tough ground, we knew that early on, but we soon took control. The intensity and desire were excellent." He highlighted Cherki’s contribution, noting, "He’s helping us now and will be crucial in the future.
He’s a quality player – two assists against Bournemouth, two goals today. He worked hard off the ball and was dominant in midfield." Maresca also addressed Phil Foden’s adaptation, saying, "He’s been shifted a bit wider. He’s not a natural winger, but we’re finding solutions. In the last ten‑fifteen minutes, you could see he enjoyed being inside more.
His attitude is exactly what we need." Palace boss Pierre Sage expressed frustration after the defeat: "We managed to stay in the game for about 60‑65 minutes, but the substitutions sapped the team’s energy. I’m angry about that, both with myself and the bench.
We had chances, but tactical mistakes, especially not closing down inside, cost us. When you change players, fatigue becomes an issue; you can’t replace tiredness with less energy.
We’re behind in pre‑season, so I felt forced to make changes, but it didn’t work." Regarding young midfielder Daniel Muñoz, Sage said, "If he’s with us today, it’s because he belongs here. The same applies after the match." Sky Sports analyst Jamie Redknapp summed up Cherki’s impact: "Cherki painted a masterpiece with that first goal. He had an amazing effect on the game. He’s a genius; the things he can do with a football give you that X‑factor." Overall, Manchester City’s comprehensive victory showcased a blend of individual brilliance and collective discipline, with Cherki’s Messi‑like flair providing the spark that ensured the Citizens continued their unbeaten start to the season.