A magician and a maverick - this could be Cherki's moment for Man City
· Sports · BBC Sport
Rayan Cherki scored two second-half goals at Selhurst Park as Manchester City beat Crystal Palace 4-1, marking a statement win in the post-Pep Guardiola era under new manager Enzo Maresca. The 23-year-old French forward, signed from Lyon for £30m last season, delivered his best performance after a difficult 2025-26 campaign that included a disappointing World Cup with France, where he was replaced at half-time in the third-place play-off against England. Maresca praised Cherki's work off the ball and pressing, calling the display "complete" after the player's animated post-match conversation with his manager following the opening-weekend win over Bournemouth. Erling Haaland, who presented the player-of-the-match award, laughed as Cherki gave a colourful critique of his first-half display. The win gives City an early marker in their bid to reset under Maresca after Guardiola's departure.
Why it matters
Cherki's performance offers Maresca a reliable attacking weapon as City adjust to life after Guardiola, with the Frenchman now central to a side competing against Arsenal, Liverpool, and the Premier League's other title contenders.
Read the original report — BBC Sport
Join us on Telegram
Breaking news the moment it lands. At 10,000 members we ship the Android app.