Crystal Palace 1-4 Manchester City: Five key takeaways from Premier League 2026-27 match
(Courtesy : Getty)
Haaland and Cherki’s double sealed a solid win for the visitors.
Crystal Palace took on Manchester City in a Matchday 2 fixture of the English Premier League 2026-27 season at Selhurst Park in London on Friday night. Two goals each from Erling Haaland and Rayan Cherki sealed a 4-1 win for City.
The match had an end-to-end start, with both Gianluigi Donnarumma and Dean Henderson pulling off good saves to keep the deadlock intact in the opening 10 minutes. City got the breakthrough in the 17th minute, with Erling Haaland’s header finding the back of the net.
Manchester City doubled the lead in the 54th minute, with Rayan Cherki dribbling past the Crystal Palace defenders before finding the bottom corner. The hosts reduced the deficit two minutes later, with Yeremy Pino’s free-kick rebounding off the crossbar and hitting Donnarumma before going into the net.
Cherki restored City’s two-goal lead with a rocket strike from outside the box in the 59th minute, with a slight deflection taking the ball past Henderson. Haaland sealed the win with a goal in the 85th minute, keeping his team’s 100% record in the league intact.
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Important things we learned from Crystal Palace vs Manchester City:
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1. Guehi dropped to defence
There was a lot of discussion about Enzo Maresca starting Marc Guehi in midfield against Bournemouth. The England international was solid in a defensive role, but his unwillingness to venture forward limited Elliot Anderson’s ability. Today, Anderson was paired with Nico O’Reilly in midfield, with Guehi dropping into defence in his return to Selhurst Park. The change had the desired effect, with Manchester City dominating the midfield battle.
2. Haaland is inevitable
Pierre Sage clearly instructed his players to attack City from the kick-off, knowing that an early goal was the only way for the hosts to put their opponents under pressure. The Eagles threatened early, with Eddie Nketiah forcing a save from Gianluigi Donnarumma.
Manchester City soon regained control, however, and the visitors opened the scoring in the 17th minute through… who else but Erling Haaland. He then scored a second goal in the 85th minute. The Norwegian drew a blank against Bournemouth, but was back among the goals in the new season.
3. Cherki showing his worth
Rayan Cherki’s impact off the bench against Bournemouth amplified the calls for the Frenchman to start for City, which Maresca obliged. The midfielder showed what he can do, creating several chances in the first half. He looked threatening whenever he had the ball and was crucial in breaking through the Eagles’ defensive line.
Cherki added a brilliant goal in the second half, going past several defenders before rolling the ball into the bottom corner. Just six minutes later, Cherki scored again, ensuring Manchester City’s victory. Expect him to feature in the starting XI of the upcoming matches.
4. Phil Foden fails to grab opportunity
This season feels like a make-or-break one for Phil Foden. The Manchester local boy lost his starting spot last season under Pep Guardiola, but has started all three competitive fixtures under Maresca. However, much like we saw against Arsenal and Bournemouth, Foden, despite being solid overall, failed to convert any of the chances that fell his way.
Foden had two good opportunities in the first half to double City’s lead, but failed to keep his shot on target. He did get an assist for Haaland’s second goal, but it felt like too little, too late. Once Jeremy Doku is fit, Foden’s place in the starting lineup looks doubtful.
5. Mateta’s absence hurts Palace
Jean-Philippe Mateta’s continued absence – officially due to an injury – has blunted Crystal Palace’s attack. Without the French striker, Sage has been forced to rely on Nketiah and Jørgen Strand Larsen as his main attacking options, with neither particularly impressing tonight. The hosts scored through Pino’s free kick, although it went down as a Donnarumma own goal. If Mateta indeed leaves, Palace need a capable striker as soon as possible.
Who won the Crystal Palace vs Manchester City Premier League 2026-27 match?
Manchester City won the Matchday 2 clash at Selhurst Park, defeating Crystal Palace 4-1.
Who scored in the Crystal Palace vs Manchester City match?
Erling Haaland scored twice (17th and 85th minutes), while Rayan Cherki also netted a brace (54th and 59th minutes) for City. Crystal Palace’s only goal came via a Gianluigi Donnarumma own goal after Yeremy Pino’s free-kick rebounded off the crossbar.
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Sushruta has spent over two years covering football, with a particular focus on Indian and international competitions. Alongside football, he has reported on a variety of sports, bringing curiosity and perspective to every story. When he’s not following the action, he can usually be found binge-watching movies or getting lost in a good book.