Elliot Anderson said Rayan Cherki’s spectacular two-goal heroics in Friday’s 4-1 win at Crystal Palace came as no surprise to him having watched the Frenchman's exploits in training.
Anderson, in what was only his second league start for City after his summer move from Nottingham Forest, produced a sublime all round display at Selhurst Park.
But the headlines and plaudits went to midfield colleague Cherki who rounded off a dazzling display with a quite brilliant brace of second half goals, the first featuring a breath-taking balletic dribble before he executed a sublime finish.
For Anderson though the Frenchman’s individual magic merely replicated what he saw on the training field day in, day out from both him and Phil Foden who also shone in south London.
“I’m sat back and watching!,” Anderson said.
“I see this every day since I joined, him and Phil have such talent and it’s no surprise to be honest.
“So much talent and I’m so happy to be playing with them and not against them. The talent they have is scary.
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“For me, I felt more at home today. I’m always nervous when I go on the pitch. My first outing at the Etihad was pretty special and two wins from two, so I’m happy.
“Everyone is really happy in possession and out of possession, everyone gave their all. We were pretty aggressive. The game plan went just as we wanted.”
Reflecting on his first few weeks at the Club after his return for World Cup finals duty with England, Anderson said though he was still bedding in and adapting, he was already relishing life at City under Enzo Maresca.
And he added he was more than happy to be operating in a slightly different role to that which he undertook at Forest.
“I’m loving it. It’s a little bit different so I’m trying to grasp the little differences so I can settle in well.
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“Joining a new club, obviously it’s a big price tag which everyone seems to be going on about but I’m just trying to play my football and do the best I can.
“Eras come to an end, and a new one is starting. The last game the average age was 25 so it’s a young squad and it is exciting.
“I’ve got to be a little more structured. That’s what I’m learning. It is what it is. Trying to learn on the job.”
A football player in a Manchester City kit is featured on the right. On the left, logos for Crystal Palace, Premier League, Manchester City, and text highlighting '20 Minute Highlights' are displayed.
Scoreboard showing Crystal Palace 1 - 4 Manchester City with a player celebrating on the field.
A Manchester City player celebrating during a game against Crystal Palace. The image includes logos of Crystal Palace FC, Manchester City FC, and Premier League, with text 'FULL MATCH REPLAY' and 'CITY+'.