Rayan Cherki scored twice in five minutes and Erling Haaland added a brace as Manchester City beat Crystal Palace 4-1 on Friday to continue their unbeaten Premier League start.
Haaland opened the scoring in the 17th minute with a header. Cherki doubled the lead early in the second half with a close-range finish after weaving past defenders. Palace pulled one back when Yeremy Pino's free kick struck the bar and deflected in off goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma. But Cherki restored City's two-goal cushion minutes later with a deflected strike from outside the box. Haaland sealed the win late on with a left-footed finish.
It was Cherki's first Premier League brace though he called his own performance "so-so" admitting he pushed himself after sensing coach Enzo Maresca might substitute him.
City now lead the table with six points from two matches. Palace remain pointless with midfielder Adam Wharton saying the team needs more time to adjust to new coach Pierre Sage.
Maresca praised Cherki's all-round display also noting his defensive work alongside his goals. Former England midfielder Jamie Redknapp called Cherki a "genius" comparing his skill to Eden Hazard and Georgi Kinkladze.
Rayan Cherki signed from Lyon for £30m and made 33 appearances last season but often as a substitute. He had a quiet World Cup with France and reportedly clashed with coach Didier Deschamps. Despite his unpredictable reputation also he impressed at Chelsea and Leicester previously under different circumstances.
With City eyeing further transfer additions before the window closes Cherki's performance signals he intends to remain central to Maresca's attacking plans.
