CRYSTAL PALACE 1-4 MANCHESTER CITY: Two goals each for Rayan Cherki and Erling Haaland sees Enzo Maresca's side canter to victory in south London as alarm bells sound for hosts
Rayan Cherki of Manchester City celebrates
Rayan Cherki starred for Man City(Image: Vince Mignott/MB Media/Getty Images)
View 3 Images
Erling Haaland and Rayan Cherki both scored twice to leave Manchester City fans chanting: “We are top of the league.”
City thrashed Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park with a hugely impressive attacking display to make it two straight wins for new boss Enzo Maresca. Haaland has an incredible record against Palace as he scored in all six games against them and scoring 10 goals in the process.
Cherki was also at his best as he dazzled for City who have started life after Pep Guardiola in winning fashion. Phil Foden also looked sharp and back towards his best.
There was also a debut for new £86million teenager Ayyoub Bouaddi who came on as a substitute while Palace looked in disarray with unsettled pair Ismaila Sarr and Jean-Philippe Mateta both out through injury.
You suspect both teams will look very different after the transfer window shuts next week.
Palace, in particular, look in disarray. Their new manager Pierre Sage introduced himself to Selhurst Park by promising to make it a “special evening” in his first home game in charge.
Sadly, Palace were without key players as striker Jean-Philippe Mateta and winger Ismaila Sarr - both have got their futures up in the air - and were said to be out through injury.
City will also take some getting used to as they adjust to life without Pep Guardiola. They are still battling to get Enzo Fernandez before Tuesday night but it just looks odd to see Enzo Maresca on the touchline.
Frankly, it also still looks strange to see Erling Haaland with his new short haircut rather than his long, flowing locks into a ponytail. But even though Haaland looks different, his eye for goal has not changed. And he seems to enjoy scoring against Palace more than any other opponent.
It was Antoine Semenyo who got things going for City’s opener. The City left winger cut inside, delivered a teasing cross and there was Haaland to score with a brilliant looping header.
Erling Haaland celebrates scoring the team's first goal during the English Premier League football match between Crystal Palace and Manchester City
Erling Haaland netted his first City goal with his new hair style(Image: AFP / Getty Images)
View 3 Images
Incredibly, Haaland has now scored in all six of his games against Palace, netting nine in total which is best 100 per cent record of any player in the Premier League.
New season, new manager, same old Haaland. The giant striker, wearing a black armband in tribute to Norway’s King Harald V whose death was announced on Friday morning, is the biggest reason why City will surely challenge for the title this season.
Phil Foden should have made it 2-0 but leaned back and blazed over the crossbar. They were in command but Haaland’s teammates are just not as ruthless. Palace had their moments but were pretty wasteful themselves. Jorgen Strand Larsen and Tyrick Mitchell both put headers wide.
Ayyoub Bouaddi of Manchester City
Ayyoub Bouaddi made his Manchester City debut(Image: Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)
View 3 Images
City got a second after the break and it was down to some more magic from Rayan Cherki. The City No10 possesses magical quick feet.
This time, Cherki held off four defenders, slalomed his way into the box and then poked a low shot past Palace keeper Dean Henderson. It looked all over at 2-0. But Palace fought their way back. Yeremy Pino hit a superb free kick up and over the City wall, the ball hit the crossbar and then went in off keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma for a very cruel own goal.
But City quickly regained their two-goal cushion. Cherki strode forward from midfield, he is just so difficult to pick up and this time his powerful shot flew past Henderson courtesy of a slight deflection off Chris Richards.
There was still time for City to get another. Foden fed Haaland and he did what he does best against Palace by smashing home at the near post to leave City fans chanting: “We are top of the league.”