Manchester City defeats Crystal Palace 4-1 with Rayan Cherki's double

City manager Enzo Maresca had left Cherki out of the starting lineup for the previous Premier League match against Bournemouth, where Cherki came off the bench to provide two assists. Starting at Selhurst Park, Cherki demonstrated his abilities. Erling Haaland opened the scoring for City, but an own goal from City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma leveled the score.

Cherki then scored twice, and Haaland added another goal in the closing stages. Teenage Morocco midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi, recently signed from Lille, made his debut for City in the final minutes. This was Palace's second consecutive defeat under new manager Pierre Sage.

Maresca adjusted the lineup, moving Marc Guehi to his preferred center-back role and Nico O’Reilly filling the central midfield alongside Elliot Anderson. Haaland scored in the 17th minute with a header. Phil Foden missed opportunities to extend City's lead.

Cherki scored his first goal in the 54th minute after a run from Foden, and his second in the 59th minute with a strike from the edge of the area. Haaland sealed the win in the 84th minute.