Manchester City continued their perfect start to the 2026/27 Premier League season with an impressive 4-1 victory over Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park on Friday, August 28, as Erling Haaland and Rayan Cherki both scored twice to give Enzo Maresca’s side a second consecutive league win.
City arrived in south London looking to build on their dramatic 2-1 comeback victory over Bournemouth on the opening weekend, and they produced a much more convincing performance against Palace. Although the hosts showed attacking intent during the opening stages, City gradually took control and eventually turned the contest into a comfortable victory.
Haaland opened the scoring in the 17th minute, registering his first Premier League goal of the new campaign. The Norwegian striker connected with a superb cross from Antoine Semenyo and produced an excellent looping header that left Crystal Palace goalkeeper Dean Henderson with little chance. The assist from Semenyo provided the perfect delivery for Haaland, who attacked the ball decisively and gave City an early advantage.
Palace refused to collapse after conceding and continued to look for openings. City, however, remained dangerous whenever they moved forward, with Cherki becoming increasingly influential between the lines. The Frenchman repeatedly demonstrated his ability to carry the ball through pressure and create problems for Palace’s defensive structure.
Despite further chances at both ends, City entered the interval with a narrow 1-0 advantage. The visitors returned from the break with considerably greater attacking intensity, and their pressure was rewarded again in the 54th minute.
Cherki doubled City’s lead with an outstanding individual effort. The French attacker collected the ball, drove forward and produced a brilliant piece of skill before finishing past Henderson. It was the kind of goal that demonstrated why City have invested heavily in his attacking qualities, combining close control, acceleration and composure inside the final third.
Palace immediately found a route back into the game two minutes later. In the 56th minute, Yeremy Pino struck a dangerous free-kick from around 25 yards. The effort hit the crossbar before rebounding onto Manchester City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma and crossing the line. The goal was officially recorded as an own goal against Donnarumma, although Pino’s free-kick was clearly responsible for creating the danger.
At 2-1, Palace briefly had hope of producing a comeback, but that hope lasted only three minutes.
Cherki struck again in the 59th minute, restoring City’s two-goal advantage with a powerful effort from outside the penalty area. His shot took a deflection on its way toward goal, wrong-footing Henderson and finding the net. The quick response was crucial because it prevented Palace from building momentum after their fortunate goal.
City then controlled the match with greater authority. Palace attempted to attack through quick transitions, but City’s midfield and defensive organisation made it increasingly difficult for the hosts to create clear opportunities. The visitors also continued to threaten whenever space appeared behind Palace’s defence.
Haaland eventually completed the scoring in the 84th minute, sealing his second goal of the night and his first brace of the Premier League season. Phil Foden provided the assist, slipping the ball into Haaland’s path before the striker finished with his trademark left foot. The goal capped a superb individual display from the Norwegian and underlined his importance to City’s attacking system.
The result was particularly encouraging for Maresca, who is beginning to establish his own identity at Manchester City following the end of the Pep Guardiola era. City combined possession, movement and direct attacking football, while their ability to respond immediately after Palace’s goal demonstrated the team’s composure.
Cherki was arguably the standout performer. After providing two assists from the bench in City’s opening-day victory over Bournemouth, he followed that performance with two goals against Palace. Haaland, meanwhile, reminded everyone of his extraordinary finishing ability by scoring twice and playing a major role in City’s dominant attacking display.
The victory means Manchester City have taken six points from their opening two Premier League matches and maintain their 100 per cent start under Maresca. Palace, meanwhile, have suffered consecutive defeats and will be looking for a response in their next fixture.
For City, the 4-1 victory was more than just another three points. It was a statement that the club remains capable of producing devastating attacking football despite entering a new managerial era. With Haaland already finding the net twice, Cherki emerging as an exciting creative force and Foden continuing to influence matches, Manchester City have made an emphatic start to the new Premier League campaign.
