Manchester City claimed their second consecutive Premier League victory under Enzo Maresca, delivering a dominant 4-1 win over Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park. Rayan Cherki and Erling Haaland each netted twice, securing a comprehensive result for the away side.
Palace began their home campaign with energy and intent, but they could not cope with City’s superior quality and relentless attacking play. Yeremy Pino’s free-kick briefly gave the hosts hope during the second half, yet Cherki quickly re-established the two-goal cushion before Haaland added the final strike.
Manchester City assert dominance early against Crystal Palace
Crystal Palace fashioned the first openings, with Eddie Nketiah testing Gianluigi Donnarumma within two minutes and Daichi Kamada seeing a shot blocked. City soon found their rhythm, with Elliot Anderson forcing a save before Haaland failed to convert the rebound.
The breakthrough arrived in the 16th minute. Antoine Semenyo delivered a floating cross into the box, and Haaland rose above the defence to power a header past Dean Henderson into the far corner.
City maintained control of possession and carved out another clear opportunity when Phil Foden found space inside the area, but his effort sailed over the crossbar. Cherki then created further danger with a cross from the right that Foden met with a mistimed header.
Palace responded late in the half, with Tyrick Mitchell heading just wide from close range in the 33rd minute. Despite that scare, City headed into the interval with a well-earned 1-0 advantage.
Rayan Cherki takes centre stage as Manchester City increase lead
Palace began the second period with another opportunity to equalize. Mitchell played Nketiah through inside the area, but the forward’s first-time shot drifted past Donnarumma and narrowly wide of the far post.
City doubled their lead shortly after. Foden drove into the penalty area and slipped the ball to Cherki, who showcased sharp footwork to weave through the Palace defence before slotting calmly past Henderson.
Palace pulled one back almost immediately. Pino struck a magnificent free-kick that clipped the crossbar, bounced off Donnarumma, and crossed the line to make it 2-1 with over half an hour still to play.
Maresca’s side answered swiftly. In the 59th minute, Cherki notched his second goal of the evening with a brilliant strike from distance. The shot took a slight deflection off Chris Richards but still beat the outstretched Henderson.
Crystal Palace fade as Haaland completes Manchester City victory
With the two-goal advantage restored, City reasserted their authority and controlled possession once more. Palace struggled to build any sustained pressure as the visitors managed the game with composure.
City added a fourth in the 84th minute. Foden collected his second assist of the night after charging towards the Palace defence before laying the ball off to Haaland. The Norwegian shifted the ball onto his left foot and rifled it into the roof of the net.
That goal marked Haaland’s second of the match and his second of the campaign. His double proved to be the final scoring moment before the referee brought the game to a close in the 95th minute.
The 4-1 triumph temporarily lifts Maresca’s Manchester City to the summit of the Premier League, while Crystal Palace remain pointless and rooted to the bottom of the standings.