Rayan Cherki on Fire as Man City Begin Life Post-Pep With Two Straight Wins

Rayan Cherki on Fire as Man City Begin Life Post-Pep With Two Straight Wins

Enzo Maresca has been able to enjoy a winning start to life as Man City manager, as his side secured their second straight victory in the league against Crystal Palace, with star players Rayan Cherki and Erling Haaland both netting braces.

After a tricky opening game against Bournemouth, in which Maresca’s side looked sluggish for most of the game until Rayan Cherki was subbed on, the French talent was rewarded for his performance with a place in the starting XI.

Crystal Palace were hoping to provide an upset and secure a first win under new manager Pierre Sage on his home debut.

The Citizens enjoyed a much better start to this game, and their early efforts were rewarded when Golden Boot winner Erling Haaland began his tally for the season with a towering header over Dean Henderson.

City looked the more dominant side in the first half, but Palace had their share of chances, with an early chance from Nketiah and Strand Larsen and Mitchell both failing to convert headers.

The game proceeded to burst into life in the second half when Rayan Cherki hit a beautiful left-footed finish into the bottom-left corner to extend the away side’s lead.

The lead would be cut in half just two minutes later when Pino’s free-kick came off the post and ricocheted off Donnarumma, with it going down as an own goal from the Italian keeper.

Just three minutes later, Cherki once again provided the magic for Maresca’s side, this time using his right foot.

With that goal, Cherki has made it two goals and two assists in two games, firmly putting himself in contention for Player of the Month.

The Frenchman’s brace put the game out of reach for the home side, and their misery was compounded when Foden drifted into space to find Haaland, who bagged his second of the night and consolidated a 4–1 victory.

With two wins from two, Man City have been able to enjoy a solid start to life post-Pep, and each win should give their players and manager more confidence.

City’s next game is at home against newly-promoted Coventry, a good opportunity for them to extend their winning start and begin the season at the top of the table.

As for Crystal Palace, Sage is still waiting for his first win as manager after taking over from Oliver Glasner, a win that fans hope will come soon, with a competitive mid-table and extra European games for the London-based club to deal with.

Both sides look set to remain busy in the transfer window, with Man City looking to buy Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernández and Everton winger Iliman Ndiaye, and Crystal Palace looking to bolster their defence after a move for Ecuadorian centre-back Joel Ordóñez collapsed.