Erling Haaland and Rayan Cherki both scored twice as Manchester City produced an impressive performance to beat Crystal Palace 4-1 at Selhurst Park in the Premier League.
The victory gives City another positive result after they opened their campaign with a comeback win over Bournemouth last weekend, while Palace suffer a second consecutive defeat to begin the season.
Manchester City took control of the contest early and went into half-time ahead after Haaland opened the scoring with a header.
The Norway international found space inside the Palace penalty area and headed the ball beyond the goalkeeper to give the visitors a deserved lead before the interval.
Crystal Palace attempted to respond after the break, but City increased their advantage through Cherki, who produced an excellent individual run before calmly slotting the ball into the net.
The France international then struck again to put City firmly in control, with his second goal coming from a deflected effort from the edge of the penalty area.
Palace briefly threatened a comeback when Yeremy Pino scored from a free kick. The set-piece came back off the woodwork before rebounding off City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma and into the net. The goal was officially recorded as an own goal against Donnarumma.
City quickly restored their authority, however, with Haaland completing his brace to make it 4-1. The striker was played through by Phil Foden before producing a powerful left-footed finish to put the result beyond doubt.
Foden was also influential throughout the match, providing two assists as City’s attacking players combined effectively.
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Speaking after the match, Haaland said the performance represented an improvement from their opening game and suggested the squad was beginning to adapt to new manager Enzo Maresca.
“It was a step up, but we will make it,” Haaland told Sky Sports.
He added that although Maresca is a new manager, many of the players have worked together for a long time and must trust his methods.
“We have so many good players and we have to fit everyone in. We all have to work hard, and Foden too, this is the step in the right direction for us,” Haaland said.
Cherki also enjoyed another impressive outing after making a decisive impact in City’s opening match against Bournemouth.
The France playmaker started that game on the bench but came on to provide two assists as City recovered to secure victory.
At Selhurst Park, he responded with a Player of the Match performance and two goals.
Cherki said he wants to develop his understanding with Haaland and contribute more assists and goals under Maresca. “I want to show Enzo I can play balls for Haaland, and help him score goals,” Cherki told Sky Sports.
Reflecting on his second goal, he said: “When Haaland gave me the ball, then I did my thing. But I just want to give him goals.”
Cherki also acknowledged the change in leadership at Manchester City following Pep Guardiola’s departure.
“With Pep we had a big story. Now we start another one and we are here for that,” he said.
The match also provided a glimpse of City’s plans for the future as teenage Morocco midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi made his debut.
Bouaddi joined City from Lille earlier this week in a reported £86 million ($116m) deal and came off the bench during the closing stages.
His introduction added another notable moment to a convincing evening for the visitors as City continue to build a new era under Maresca.
For Crystal Palace, the result leaves them with two defeats from their opening two league matches.
Palace began their campaign with a 2-0 loss away to Everton and now face the challenge of recovering quickly after another disappointing result.
Manchester City, meanwhile, will take confidence from their second consecutive league victory as they continue their early-season campaign.
Al Jazeera
