Manchester City Cruise Past Crystal Palace 4-1 as Haaland and Cherki Shine
London, August 29, 2026: Manchester City maintained their perfect beginning to the new Premier League campaign with an emphatic 4-1 victory over Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park. Erling Haaland and Rayan Cherki each scored twice as City produced an impressive attacking display under new manager Enzo Maresca.
The result gives Manchester City six points from their opening two league matches, while Crystal Palace remain without a point after two defeats.
Haaland Breaks the Deadlock
Crystal Palace started with energy and attempted to put pressure on the visitors early. Manchester City gradually gained control, however, and created several opportunities around the Palace penalty area.
The breakthrough arrived in the 17th minute. Antoine Semenyo delivered a precise cross, allowing Haaland to rise and guide a looping header beyond goalkeeper Dean Henderson.
The goal was Haaland’s first Premier League strike of the new campaign and gave City an important advantage before half-time.
Cherki Changes the Game
Manchester City increased their lead shortly after the interval.
In the 54th minute, Rayan Cherki collected the ball and produced an impressive individual move through the Palace defence before finishing beyond Henderson.
Palace responded almost immediately. Yeremy Pino’s free-kick struck the crossbar and then rebounded off City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma before ending up in the net. The goal was recorded as an own goal for Donnarumma.
But Palace’s hopes of a comeback lasted only a few minutes.
Cherki struck again in the 59th minute, with his effort taking a slight deflection before finding the net. His two-goal burst restored City’s two-goal cushion and put the visitors firmly in control.
Haaland Completes City’s Rout
Palace struggled to regain momentum as Manchester City controlled possession and continued creating openings.
Haaland completed his own brace in the 84th minute, finishing a move involving Phil Foden to make the score 4-1.
The Norwegian striker’s two goals also opened his account for the league season, while Cherki’s performance highlighted his growing influence in City’s new-look attacking system.
Strong Start for Maresca
The victory represents a promising beginning to Enzo Maresca’s tenure as Manchester City’s manager. The team has now won both of its opening Premier League fixtures.
Maresca’s side defeated Bournemouth in their first league match and followed that result with an even more convincing performance away from home.
Haaland has called for patience as the squad continues adapting to the new manager’s ideas, but the early results have already provided encouragement.
Palace Face Early Pressure
For Crystal Palace, the result was another difficult evening under new manager Pierre Sage.
The London club showed attacking intent during the opening stages and briefly reduced the deficit after Pino’s free-kick, but they struggled to contain City’s attacking quality once the visitors found their rhythm.
Palace now have to regroup quickly and address their defensive problems before their next league assignment.
City Send an Early Warning
Manchester City’s 4-1 triumph sends a strong message to their Premier League rivals. Haaland is already among the goals, Cherki is showing why he can become an important attacking player, and Maresca’s team has collected maximum points from its first two matches.
The season remains in its early stages, but City’s latest performance suggests the club’s post-Pep Guardiola era could develop into an intriguing new chapter.
For now, Manchester City sit at the top of the early Premier League standings with six points, while Palace will be searching for their first points of the campaign.
