Rayan Cherki and Erling Haaland at the double as Man City cruise to victory

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Published: Fri 28 Aug 2026, 10:04 PM

Last updated: Fri 28 Aug 2026, 10:23 PM

By Rachel Steinberg, Press Association

Rayan Cherki’s quickfire double inspired Manchester City to a 4-1 victory over Crystal Palace to spoil Pierre Sage’s welcome party at Selhurst Park.

Erling Haaland, sporting a black armband in honour of the late Norwegian King Harald V – whose death was announced earlier on Friday – nodded in the 17th-minute opener as well as an 84th-minute cushion.

Enzo Maresca made just one change from their season-opening win over Bournemouth, with Cherki replacing Rico Lewis.

Erling Haaland celebrates his opening goal at Selhurst Park (John Walton/PA) Photo by John Walton

It proved prescient in a wild six-minute spell in the second half initiated by Cherki’s first goal, in the 54th minute, before Gianluigi Donnarumma’s own goal from Yeremy Pino’s free-kick.

Palace barely had a chance to celebrate before Cherki found the bottom corner three minutes later, and Haaland added a late second to make it two Premier League wins from two matches for the new City boss.