Manchester City secured their second consecutive Premier League victory on Sunday, defeating Crystal Palace 4-1 at Selhurst Park in a match that highlighted the emerging influence of new signing Rayan Cherki and the consistent goal-scoring prowess of Erling Haaland. The result extends City’s unbeaten start to the season under new manager Enzo Maresca, who has taken over following Pep Guardiola’s departure.

The victory was not straightforward, as Palace began the game strongly, putting the visitors under pressure early on. Eddie Nketiah and Daichi Kamada created chances that tested City’s defence and goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma. Despite this early intensity, City gradually found their rhythm, with Haaland breaking the deadlock in the 17th minute. The Norwegian striker rose above Palace defender Chris Richards to head home a cross from Antoine Semenyo, marking his ninth and tenth Premier League goals against the Eagles in just six matches.

Cherki, the French midfielder signed during the summer, was the standout performer. His opening goal came from a moment of individual brilliance, weaving through four defenders and calmly slotting the ball past Dean Henderson. His second was a powerful long-range strike, aided by a deflection, which effectively sealed the game. Cherki’s contribution followed his decisive roles in City’s previous fixture, underscoring his growing importance within a team still adapting to Maresca’s approach.

The match also featured a moment of remembrance, with both Haaland and Palace’s Jorgen Strand Larsen wearing black armbands in honor of Norway’s King Harald, who passed away recently.

While City’s front line showcased moments of invention and power, the team’s midfield balance remains a work in progress. The absence of Rodri, the midfield linchpin who left in the summer, has left Maresca experimenting with different combinations. Center-back Marc Guehi, playing against his former club, was deployed back in defense after a brief midfield experiment, and summer signing Ayyoub Bouaddi made his Premier League debut late in the game. City continue to pursue Chelsea’s Enzo Fernandez to further bolster the midfield physicality.

Manager Maresca’s early tenure has been marked by a contrast to the tactical rigidity seen under Guardiola, with a more chaotic and experimental style evident on the pitch. Despite this, City have demonstrated resilience, securing crucial late goals to overcome a challenging Bournemouth side last weekend and then managing a convincing win at Palace, showing flashes of the distinct quality at Maresca’s disposal.

Crystal Palace, meanwhile, are navigating a difficult period, with several key players unavailable due to injuries and uncertainty over potential transfers. Manager Pierre Sage’s squad struggled to contain City’s attacking threat despite promising moments, particularly from midfielder Adam Wharton, who impressed with his forward passing and work rate.

With two wins from two league matches, Manchester City currently sit atop the Premier League table, although the season remains in its early stages. Maresca’s challenge will be to establish a more consistent identity and secure a balanced lineup as the team aims to maintain their winning momentum.