Man City Cruise Past Palace 4-1: Cherki and Haaland Shine in Premier League Clash
In a thrilling encounter at Selhurst Park on Friday, Manchester City continued their flawless start to the 2026-27 Premier League season with a commanding 4-1 victory over Crystal Palace. The win, which saw Rayan Cherki and Erling Haaland each score twice, solidified City’s position at the top of the table with a perfect 2-0 record under new manager Enzo Maresca. Meanwhile, Palace, led by Pierre Sage, remain winless after two matches, still searching for their first points of the campaign.
The match was defined by a blistering five-minute spell in the second half, during which Cherki scored twice to break the game open. Haaland, ever the prolific striker, added two more goals to seal the emphatic win. City’s attacking prowess was on full display, leaving Palace’s defense struggling to contain the visitors’ relentless pressure. The result underscores City’s early-season dominance and their intent to challenge for the title once again.
For Palace, the match was a stark reminder of the challenges ahead. The team was notably missing star striker Jean-Philippe Mateta, whose future remains uncertain amid interest from other clubs before the transfer deadline. Without their key forward, Palace lacked the cutting edge needed to trouble City’s backline, and their defensive frailties were exposed. Manager Pierre Sage will need to address these issues quickly as his side looks to bounce back in the coming fixtures.
With this victory, Manchester City have sent a clear message to their rivals: they are in formidable form. Cherki’s emergence as a dynamic playmaker, combined with Haaland’s relentless goal-scoring, makes City a daunting prospect for any opponent. As the season progresses, all eyes will be on whether Maresca’s side can maintain this momentum and challenge for the Premier League crown. For Palace, the focus shifts to regrouping and securing their first points to avoid an early-season slump.
Shimanta Das 
