Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca spoke about Rayan Cherki after his two goals in the 4-1 win over Crystal Palace
LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 28: Adam Wharton of Crystal Palace and Rayan Cherki of Manchester City battle for a ball during the Premier League 2026/27 match between Crystal Palace FC and Manchester City at Selhurst Park on August 28, 2026 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Sebastian Frej/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 28: Adam Wharton of Crystal Palace and Rayan Cherki of Manchester City battle for a ball during the Premier League 2026/27 match between Crystal Palace FC and Manchester City at Selhurst Park on August 28, 2026 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Sebastian Frej/Getty Images)
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Adam Wharton and Rayan Cherki
Rayan Cherki wowed Selhurst Park with two goals to push Manchester City to victory over Crystal Palace - but it was his defensive work that delighted boss Enzo Maresca. The Frenchman walked off with the man-of-the-match award after a 'complete' performance to send City top of the league.
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Maresca had spoke on Sunday of how Cherki had come off the bench against Bournemouth with a point to prove, having made it clear that he was not happy about not starting. He produced two assists to help City turn defeat into victory.
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At Crystal Palace, Cherki was in from the start but struggled in the first half before coming to the fore after the break. Maresca was happy with the goals but went out of his way to talk up how the Frenchman had limited Palace star midfielder Adam Wharton whenever he needed to.
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"First of all he loves football. So that makes it easier to work with him. Rayan is like this, we know how good he is," said Maresca. "We know the quality that he has. In this moment, he is helping the team with the numbers in term of goals and assists and no doubt heβs going to help more in the future.
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"For sure he's happy. His performance for me was very good not just the two goals but the way he worked off the ball. When Palace had the ball, he was in charge of Wharton, I think his game was a complete game on the ball and off the ball."