Cherki’s double sinks Palace as Man City win 4-1 at Selhurst Park

Rayan Cherki scored twice as Manchester City beat Crystal Palace 4-1 at Selhurst Park on 28 August 2026, with Erling Haaland standing alongside him as he waited to hand over the player-of-the-match award. Cherki’s goals arrived in the second half and secured a comprehensive victory for City.

Cherki, described in the report as an open book emotionally, gave a colourful and unprintable appraisal of his own first-half showing when asked live on TV, prompting Haaland to laugh at the France forward’s swearing honesty. The 23-year-old produced two brilliant second-half goals after joining City from Lyon for a bargain £30m and making 33 Premier League appearances last season, 14 of those as a substitute. He had come off the bench to assist the two late goals that gave City victory against Bournemouth on the opening weekend and was rewarded with a start by new manager Enzo Maresca at Selhurst Park.

There has been a sense that Cherki must prove himself under Maresca amid City's attacking depth, and he was seen in animated conversation with Maresca after the final whistle. Maresca said: "He's happy and I'm happy," and added that Cherki's contribution was not only his goals but his work off the ball. Maresca also noted earlier that "if he is not happy he wants to show it" when referring to Cherki's temperament.

Maresca singled out Cherki’s defensive work, telling BBC Match of the Day: "His performance off the ball was unbelievable. Everyone knows his quality but when he works hard off the ball, he was in charge of Adam Wharton. He controlled him. He was very good." The match report also states that Wharton is one of the players City have cast their eyes over as they try to strengthen Maresca's squad before the close of the transfer window.

Cherki’s first goal came nine minutes into the second half when he took Phil Foden's pass on the edge of the area, ran past four Palace defenders and poked a left-foot finish past Dean Henderson. After Palace pulled one back, Cherki restored the two-goal cushion with a rising right-foot shot from 20 yards that again beat Henderson.

Former England midfielder Jamie Redknapp, speaking on Sky Sports, praised Cherki’s impact: "After Rayan Cherki painted a masterpiece, City started to play and got a real hold of it." He added: "Cherki felt like the difference because his goals came at an important time. He is a genius. The things he can do with a football are absolute genius." Redknapp compared the goal to the work of others, saying: "Eden Hazard possibly, he was that kind of player. Georgi Kinkladze, there'll be Manchester City fans from a previous generation who'll remember him, who could get past people in a telephone box. This was very similar." He also said: "Once Cherki is in the box, they are so scared to touch him. It's absolute genius. He's an absolute bargain at £30m and gives you a new dimension. He gives you that 'X-factor'. He does things differently." On Cherki's celebrations he added: "There was a bit of Cantona about him. He's a beautiful player. With someone like Cherki you've got to let him do his thing."

There may be ups and downs between the maverick Cherki and the demanding Maresca, but the France forward’s second-half display underlined he remains a major attacking option at City. Wharton remains a reported target as City attempt to strengthen Maresca's squad before the close of the transfer window, and the report suggested there could be further activity before the deadline.