Manchester City beat Crystal Palace 4-1 at Selhurst Park last night. A brace each for Rayan Cherki and Erling Haaland helped Enzo Maresca’s side see off Pierre Sage’s side. City also made it two wins from two to begin the new Premier League season. There were a host of impressive performers for Manchester City last night. Perhaps the standout performer for Enzo Maresca’s side was Rayan Cherki. The French international produced a masterclass in the second half to once again illustrate that he is one of the biggest box office attractions in the Premier League.
Rayan Cherki produced a magical second half display like only he can to help Manchester City see off Crystal Palace.
In the first half of last night’s match, Rayan Cherki had his moments but as he said after the game, Enzo Maresca thought of taking the French international off at the interval. Cherki said that he needed to show his manager that he ‘wanted to play’. The Manchester City maestro did exactly that with a masterful second half performance. He also went about it in a way that only he can produce.
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Rayan Cherki gave his team a 2-0 lead in the 53rd minute of last night’s match. The goal Cherki produced was a piece of magic that arguably only he can produce. Cherki received the ball from Phil Foden just inside the penalty area. He used his sublime control and magical footwork to render five Crystal Palace defenders helpless. Cherki then produced a deft left-footed poked finish to leave Crystal Palace keeper Dean Henderson just as helpless to double Manchester City’s lead. The goal was spectacular and it was further proof of the box-office attraction that Cherki is.
Crystal Palace made it 2-1 in the 56th minute following Cherki’s wonder goal. A Yeremy Pino rocket of a free kick from 30 yards out went in off the back of Gianluigi Donnarumma to give Palace hope of a comeback. However, that comeback was effectively put to bed three minutes later. It was Cherki again who delivered the hammer blow. He received the ball from Josko Gvardiol in a dangerous position. Cherki moved to his right and unleashed a thunderbolt from 20 yards out that beat Dean Henderson via a deflection to restore Manchester City’s two-goal lead. Manchester City had take the sting out of Crystal Palace and it was Rayan Cherki who stepped up to do so.
There isn’t another player in the Premier League like Rayan Cherki. If there is one close, they cannot produce the breathtaking moments like Cherki does so consistently. He is a one of a kind player who is essential viewing every time he is on the pitch. The French international showed it again last night. Rayan Cherki is a player who can work within his team’s framework but when needed, he can produce moments that leave you speechless. The total package that is Rayan Cherki makes him a box office attraction in the Premier League.
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Enzo Maresca was thrilled with Rayan Cherki’s performance but he was just as thrilled with Cherki’s work out of possession.
Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca was thrilled with Rayan Cherki’s performance against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park. Maresca explained that it wasn’t just Cherki’s goals that caught his eye, it was also Cherki’s work out of possession to help his team which lifted the French international’s performance in Maresca’s eyes. He explained: “For sure he’s happy. His performance for me was very good not just the two goals but the way he worked off the ball.“
“When Palace had the ball, he was in charge of Adam Wharton, I think his game was a complete game on the ball and off the ball. Probably he was not playing at his level in the first half. But we were happy with his performance off the ball. Then second half he scored twice and for sure he’s much more happy.“
“First of all, he loves football. So that makes it easier to work with him. Rayan is like this, we know how good he is. We know the quality that he has.“
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“In this moment, he is helping the team with the numbers in term of goals and assists and no doubt he’s going to help more in the future.“
Final thoughts.
For what he can produce with the ball at his feet, Rayan Cherki is a key player for Manchester City and one of the must-watch attractions in the Premier League. The moments of magic he can produce out of nowhere mean that Cherki is a player you cannot take your eyes off when he is on the pitch. This was impossible to ignore against Crystal Palace last night.
For Enzo Maresca, what Cherki offers in possession is obviously crucial to his team. However, the French international is also vital to his team’s game out of possession. He also showed this side of his game at Selhurst Park as Maresca pointed out after his team’s 4-1 win. Rayan Cherki has scored two goals and added two assists in two matches this season. He has started the season impressively.
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If that is a sign of what is to come from Rayan Cherki, he could be talked about a lot higher than being a box office attraction in the Premier League. He has the potential to be one of the best players in the league if he isn’t already hitting that stage based off his form last season.
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