Manchester City playmaker Rayan Cherki’s masterclass against Crystal Palace left his club’s new boss Enzo Maresca stunned on Friday in the Premier League. Cherki scored a brace, and two goals from Erling Haaland helped City crush Palace 4-1, making it two in two this season. City boss Maresca also admitted that Cherki was frustrated to be left out of the starting line-up for last weekend's 2-1 win against Bournemouth in their Premier League opener. The French midfielder, however, responded to the snub in emphatic style in an away clash. &nbsp;Against Bournemouth, he came off the bench to assist twice and later seized his chance to start at Selhurst Park and make the evening all about himself with a stunning display of football. &nbsp;"His performance off the ball was unbelievable. Everyone knows his quality, but when he works hard off the ball," Maresca said of his playmaker Cherki. "He was in charge of Wharton; he controlled him. He's helping us and is going to help in the future. We know he's a quality player. &nbsp;"I think he was very, very good off the ball and was working very hard."&nbsp;Also read| <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/champions-league-2026-27-draw-psg-barcelona-set-for-blockbuster-clash-man-utd-face-bayern-1787855264179">Champions League 2026-27 draw: PSG, Barcelona set for blockbuster clash, Man Utd face Bayern</a> &nbsp;The attacking midfielder Cherki insisted his impressive display was still far from his top level. &nbsp;"My performance is so-so. In the first half, we didn't find the space; I played bad," he said. "I need to show them I want to play; I want to score. Next time I want to give the ball around more." &nbsp;Although reports of Cherki’s flamboyance on the pitch and a volatile personality off it led to differences between him and Pep Guardiola, he hopes to emerge as one of the club’s cornerstones under Maresca. &nbsp;"I'm very happy for the win. Pep was a big story. We will start another story," he said. "We want to prove it, and we are here for that." &nbsp;Meanwhile, the PL giants City have made a strong start under Maresca this season, and the former Chelsea boss was pleased with their combative display against Palace. &nbsp;"Probably the first five or 10 minutes we saw how difficult it was. It's a difficult pitch and tough opponents," he said. "After 10 minutes we controlled the game on the ball and off the ball and deserved to win. The intensity on the team has been good."&nbsp;(With inputs from AFP)

Enzo Maresca was left stunned as Rayan Cherki scored a brace to lead Manchester City to a 4-1 victory over Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park.

Manchester City playmaker Rayan Cherki’s masterclass against Crystal Palace left his club’s new boss Enzo Maresca stunned on Friday in the Premier League. Cherki scored a brace, and two goals from Erling Haaland helped City crush Palace 4-1, making it two in two this season. City boss Maresca also admitted that Cherki was frustrated to be left out of the starting line-up for last weekend's 2-1 win against Bournemouth in their Premier League opener. The French midfielder, however, responded to the snub in emphatic style in an away clash. Against Bournemouth, he came off the bench to assist twice and later seized his chance to start at Selhurst Park and make the evening all about himself with a stunning display of football. "His performance off the ball was unbelievable. Everyone knows his quality, but when he works hard off the ball," Maresca said of his playmaker Cherki. "He was in charge of Wharton; he controlled him. He's helping us and is going to help in the future. We know he's a quality player. "I think he was very, very good off the ball and was working very hard." Also read| Champions League 2026-27 draw: PSG, Barcelona set for blockbuster clash, Man Utd face Bayern The attacking midfielder Cherki insisted his impressive display was still far from his top level. "My performance is so-so. In the first half, we didn't find the space; I played bad," he said. "I need to show them I want to play; I want to score. Next time I want to give the ball around more." Although reports of Cherki’s flamboyance on the pitch and a volatile personality off it led to differences between him and Pep Guardiola, he hopes to emerge as one of the club’s cornerstones under Maresca. "I'm very happy for the win. Pep was a big story. We will start another story," he said. "We want to prove it, and we are here for that." Meanwhile, the PL giants City have made a strong start under Maresca this season, and the former Chelsea boss was pleased with their combative display against Palace. "Probably the first five or 10 minutes we saw how difficult it was. It's a difficult pitch and tough opponents," he said. "After 10 minutes we controlled the game on the ball and off the ball and deserved to win. The intensity on the team has been good." (With inputs from AFP)

Enzo Maresca was left stunned as Rayan Cherki scored a brace to lead Manchester City to a 4-1 victory over Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park.

'Unbelievable' Cherki leaves new Man City boss Maresca stunned after Palace masterclass

Pep Guardiola said Manchester City do not feel extra pressure even though they realistically need to beat Crystal Palace on Wednesday to keep their Premier League title hopes alive. City, with three games left, is five points behind leaders Arsenal with a game in hand. Failure to win at the Etihad would mean Mikel Arteta's side could clinch their first Premier League title for 22 years against Burnley on Monday. Guardiola was asked at his pre-match press conference on Tuesday how much pressure City were under after recent results, including last week's damaging 3-3 draw at Everton.&nbsp;"Same one, two days, three days, four days ago, one week, two weeks, same one," he said.&nbsp;The City boss, chasing a seventh Premier League title in nine seasons, said he had not seen his players to gauge their mood since the dramatic end to Arsenal's match at West Ham on Sunday.&nbsp;Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/-real-possibility-something-bad-will-happen-fifa-world-cup-2026-matches-in-us-under-cloud-of-terrorism-1778559610438">'Real possibility something bad will happen': FIFA World Cup 2026 matches in US under cloud of terrorism</a>&nbsp;The Gunners won 1-0 after relegation-threatened West Ham's last-gasp equaliser was ruled out following a lengthy VAR check.&nbsp;"I learned from my career as a manager, what you cannot control, forget about it," said Guardiola. "(Focus) and do better what we have not done better this season to fight for the Premier League. We are still fighting and (next it is) Crystal Palace."&nbsp;Palace hosts Arsenal on the final day of the Premier League season, just days before they face Spanish side Rayo Vallecano in the Conference League final, but Guardiola said he was not concerned at the prospect they could field a weakened team.&nbsp;"They are so professional, the teams," he said. "Crystal Palace will play top. We saw Leeds yesterday against Spurs (a 1-1 draw), how even being out of the relegation battle... how they compete."&nbsp;Guardiola said Rodri and Abdukodir Khusanov were both "better" and that he would decide after training on Tuesday whether either were ready to return to action.&nbsp;City face Chelsea in the FA Cup final on Saturday, still in the running for a domestic treble after winning the League Cup earlier this season.&nbsp;Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits for grammar and punctuation. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for the WION audience.

Pep Guardiola insists Manchester City feel no extra pressure ahead of their "must-win" clash with Crystal Palace. With Arsenal leading by five points, read Pep's update on Rodri, the title race, and his response to the Gunners' late win.

Pep Guardiola said Manchester City do not feel extra pressure even though they realistically need to beat Crystal Palace on Wednesday to keep their Premier League title hopes alive. City, with three games left, is five points behind leaders Arsenal with a game in hand. Failure to win at the Etihad would mean Mikel Arteta's side could clinch their first Premier League title for 22 years against Burnley on Monday. Guardiola was asked at his pre-match press conference on Tuesday how much pressure City were under after recent results, including last week's damaging 3-3 draw at Everton. "Same one, two days, three days, four days ago, one week, two weeks, same one," he said. The City boss, chasing a seventh Premier League title in nine seasons, said he had not seen his players to gauge their mood since the dramatic end to Arsenal's match at West Ham on Sunday. Also read | 'Real possibility something bad will happen': FIFA World Cup 2026 matches in US under cloud of terrorism The Gunners won 1-0 after relegation-threatened West Ham's last-gasp equaliser was ruled out following a lengthy VAR check. "I learned from my career as a manager, what you cannot control, forget about it," said Guardiola. "(Focus) and do better what we have not done better this season to fight for the Premier League. We are still fighting and (next it is) Crystal Palace." Palace hosts Arsenal on the final day of the Premier League season, just days before they face Spanish side Rayo Vallecano in the Conference League final, but Guardiola said he was not concerned at the prospect they could field a weakened team. "They are so professional, the teams," he said. "Crystal Palace will play top. We saw Leeds yesterday against Spurs (a 1-1 draw), how even being out of the relegation battle... how they compete." Guardiola said Rodri and Abdukodir Khusanov were both "better" and that he would decide after training on Tuesday whether either were ready to return to action. City face Chelsea in the FA Cup final on Saturday, still in the running for a domestic treble after winning the League Cup earlier this season. Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits for grammar and punctuation. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for the WION audience.

Pep Guardiola insists Manchester City feel no extra pressure ahead of their "must-win" clash with Crystal Palace. With Arsenal leading by five points, read Pep's update on Rodri, the title race, and his response to the Gunners' late win.

Race for Premier League crown not over yet, insists Manchester City boss Guardiola

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'Unbelievable' Cherki leaves new Man City boss Maresca stunned after Palace masterclass

Race for Premier League crown not over yet, insists Man City boss Pep Guardiola