Braces for Haaland and Cherki ensure polished Palace win

Haaland headed the Blues in front at Selhurst Park, expertly looping home a pinpoint Antoine Semenyo cross in the first half.

Cherki doubled our advantage after the break with a clever finish before Palace pulled one back with a Yeremy Pino piledriver of a free-kick that went in off the unfortunate Gianluigi Donnarumma.

But the flamboyant Frenchman restored our two-goal advantage almost instantaneously with a fizzed strike past Dean Henderson before Haaland added the deserved gloss late on.

The result ensured a maximum six points from two games at the start of the Enzo Maresca era with newly-promoted Coventry City next up at the Etihad a week on Saturday.

THE GAME IN 250 WORDS

City produced a strong first half at Selhurst Park and went in 1-0 up - although, in truth, the lead should have been healthier at the break.

The early signs were good with Elliot Anderson seeing a curling 20-yard strike well saved by Dean Henderson before both Ruben Dias and Erling Haaland failed to force home from the follow-ups.

Then Antoine Semenyo’s cross was flicked on by Haaland but Phil Foden couldn’t get in quick enough at the back post with Palace again living very dangerously.

The breakthrough did come, though, with Semenyo’s floated centre looped home wonderfully by Haaland.

Foden had another chance following a sensational move by Maresca’s men.

Nico O’Reilly flew down the right wing before laying it off to the onrushing Rayan Cherki who crossed for Foden but the midfield maestro’s glancing header was mistimed and failed to trouble the Eagles defence.

Just before the whistle, Semenyo and Cherki linked-up before the French maverick’s shot from just outside the box was kept out by the busy Henderson.

Palace did have chances, too, the best seeing Tyrick Mitchell head wide at the back post with the goal gaping. 

Cherki doubled our advantage at the start of the second half – and what a goal it was!

Foden drove forward before slipping to the Frenchman who beat a couple of men and nudged home the most impudent of finishes.

The hosts pulled one back almost immediately with another high-quality effort.

Yeremy Pino fired home a 25-yard free-kick which somewhat harshly will officially go down as a Gianluigi Donnarumma own-goal as it cannoned off the bar and in off the Italian.

But the simply outstanding Cherki restored our two-goal advantage with a dipping effort from just outside the box.  

Mateo Kovačić entered the action for compatriot Josko Gvardiol as the clock ticked down bringing up 100 City appearances for the Croatian midfielder.

While it marked a century for the experienced central star, it was a first Premier League start for both Ryan McAidoo and Kaden Braithwaite as they came on late on alongside new boy Ayyoub Bouaddi, making his debut less than 48 hours after joining the club.

It was almost a dream introduction for McAidoo who fired marginally wide after a supersonic run down the middle.

Haaland, like Cherki before him, got his brace shortly after, finishing past Henderson at the back post much to the delight of the travelling City faithful.

That was all she wrote as the final whistle blew on a fantastic evening in the capital.

TEAMS

PALACE XI: Henderson, Khalaili (Mingueza 75’), Canvot, Richards, Tomiyasu (Disasi 74’), Mitchell, Wharton, Kamada, Pino (Gozo 68’), Nketiah (McNeil 68’), Strand Larsen (Guessand 63’)

Subs: Benitez, Munoz, Hughes, Lerma

CITY XI: Donnarumma, Khusanov (Reis 89’), Dias (C), Gvardiol (Kovačić 75’), O’Reilly (Braithwaite 89’), Anderson (Bouaddi 82’), Guéhi, Foden, Cherki (McAidoo 82’), Semenyo, Haaland

Subs: Rulli, Aït-Nouri, Echeverri, Lewis

MANAGER VERDICT

The analysis of boss Enzo Maresca will appear here shortly.

HAALAND REACTION

I think in the start of the season, it was barely pre-season for everyone.

Rayan just five weeks ago playing in the World Cup, so it’s a step up and take it game by game. We’ll be back, we just need a few games.

We played well and I mean it’s a new manager and all that but most of us have been playing together. We know what to do and need to trust the system and trust Enzo in what he wants us to do.

CHERKI REACTION

I’m very happy for the win today.

With Pep we had a big story and now we’re starting a new story.

We need to prove it every week. We’re here for that.

ANDERSON REACTION

I felt more at home today. I’m always nervous when I go on the pitch. My first outing at the Etihad was pretty special and two wins from two, so I’m happy.

I’m loving it. It’s a little bit different so I’m trying to grasp the little differences so I can settle in well. Joining a new club, I’m just trying to play my football and do the best I can.

Eras come to an end and a new one is starting. The last game the average age was 25 so it’s a young squad and it is exciting.

WHAT IT MEANS

It’s a perfect start to the Premier League season for boss Enzo Maresca and his emerging City side.

After victory over Bournemouth this past weekend and success tonight over Palace, the Blues have six points from two games and sit top in the Premier League table, even if it is very early to be looking at the standings.

WHAT NEXT

It’s newly promoted Coventry City next for City.

We host the Sky Blues on Saturday 5 September at the Etihad with a traditional 15:00 (UK) kick-off.

They’re managed, of course, by Frank Lampard who spent one season with us in 2013/14 under Manuel Pellegrini making 38 appearances and scoring eight goals.

He bid farewell to the Premier League in his final game with the Blues, unsurprisingly scoring in a 2-0 victory over Southampton to sign off a wonderful top-flight career.