Photo: Bryan Berlin / CC BY-SA 4.0 / Wikimedia Commons
Rayan Cherki scored two goals and set up another as Manchester City defeated Crystal Palace 4-1 at Selhurst Park on Friday, giving the Frenchman four goal involvements in his first two Premier League appearances for the club.
Erling Haaland opened the scoring with a looping header after 17 minutes, continuing his record of scoring in every league meeting against Palace. Cherki then doubled the lead with a solo effort, weaving past several Palace challenges before flicking into the bottom corner.
Yeremy Pino's deflected free-kick pulled one back for the hosts, but Cherki restored City's two-goal advantage by rifling into the top corner. Haaland added a second shortly before full-time to complete the 4-1 scoreline.
Cherki, who won the Player of the Match award, said his opening goal came naturally. "It's my instinct, you know. I'm very happy for the win today," he told reporters. "My performance was so and so, because in the first half we couldn't find the space."
The 22-year-old also revealed he was motivated by the prospect of being substituted. "When I saw Enzo was going to change me, I didn't like that and I need to show them that I want to play and want to score and give assists for Erling."
Despite his two-goal haul, Cherki was self-critical about his link-up play with Haaland. "Today I didn't give a lot of balls for him. The next time I want to give Erling a lot of balls," he said. "Of course with Pep we had a big story and now we're starting a new story. We need to prove it every week."