Manchester City continued their strong start to the new Premier League campaign with a commanding 4–1 victory over Crystal Palace on Friday night. Erling Haaland and Ryan Cherki both scored twice as City secured their second consecutive league win and collected a maximum six points from their opening two matches.
Palace made a lively start and initially looked capable of causing City problems. The hosts, however, found a way through after 17 minutes. Antoine Semenyo delivered a dangerous cross into the area, and Haaland rose above the defence to head the ball towards goal. Palace goalkeeper Dean Henderson could not hold the effort, allowing it to find the net. The goal was Haaland’s first of the new Premier League season.
City continued to threaten as they looked to extend their advantage. Phil Foden came close in the 21st minute but sent his effort wide. Palace remained dangerous on the break, and Eddie Nketiah had an opportunity shortly after half-time to bring his side level, only to fail to convert it.
City eventually doubled their advantage in the 54th minute through Cherki. The attacking midfielder found space inside the Palace defence and finished calmly to make it 2–0.
Palace responded almost immediately. Just two minutes later, Yeremy Pino’s free-kick struck the crossbar before the ball ricocheted off City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma, hit the post and eventually crossed the line. The unfortunate sequence reduced the deficit to 2–1 and briefly gave Palace renewed hope.
That momentum did not last long. Five minutes later, Cherki restored City’s two-goal advantage. His effort took a significant deflection off Crystal Palace defender Chris Richards, changing direction and wrong-footing Henderson before settling in the back of the net. It was Cherki’s second goal of the evening.
City remained in control as the match entered its final stages, and Haaland completed his brace in the 85th minute. Foden supplied the pass, allowing the Norwegian striker to take the ball onto his left foot before unleashing a powerful finish. The goal effectively settled the contest and completed a convincing night for the visitors.
The result highlighted City’s attacking depth, with Haaland providing the finishing touch and Cherki making a decisive contribution from an advanced position. Foden also played an important creative role, particularly with his assist for Haaland’s second goal.
For Palace, the 4–1 defeat will be frustrating given their promising start and their brief return to 2–1. Their inability to capitalise on opportunities and the deflection that led to City’s third goal ultimately proved costly.
City now have a short break before their next fixture against newly promoted Coventry City. The match will provide another opportunity for the side to maintain its early momentum.
The bigger test will arrive the following week, when City travel to Old Trafford for the first Manchester derby of the season. With six points already secured from their opening two league matches, Pep Guardiola’s side will enter that encounter with confidence, while Haaland’s return to the scoresheet will be particularly encouraging for the champions’ title ambitions.
