Haaland Opens the Scoring

City led through Haaland’s header at the break at Selhurst Park, but the goal came from a well-timed header by the Norwegian striker.

Cherki’s Brilliant Display

Rayan Cherki then took over with a wonderful dribble and slotted finish to put City ahead; he doubled his tally with a deflected effort from the edge of the box. Cherki’s goals were instrumental in securing the victory.

Yeremy Pino gave Palace some hope from a freekick in between Cherki’s strikes, but the effort came back off the woodwork and rebounded in off Gianluigi Donnarumma in City’s goal, an unfair own goal awarded against the keeper.

Haaland Seals the Win

Haaland sealed the win with a drilled left-footed finish after being put through by Phil Foden, who contributed two assists on the night.

Haaland told Sky Sports: “It was a step up, but we will make it; it is a new manager but most of us have been playing together. We have to trust the new manager and what he wants us to do.”

Haaland continued: “We have so many good players and we have to fit everyone in, we all have to work hard, and Foden too, this is the step in the right direction for us.”

City had stuttered in their opening game of the season on Sunday, coming from behind to beat Bournemouth with a late salvo; that match was inspired by two assists from Cherki, who started on the bench.

The France playmaker responded to the snub in emphatic style with that performance and his Player of the Match display at Palace.

Cherki told Sky Sports: “With Pep we had a big story — Now we start another one and we are here for that.”

Cherki added: “I want to show Enzo I can play balls for Haaland, and help him score goals.”

On his brilliant individual effort for City’s second goal, Cherki said: “When Haaland gave me the ball, then I did my thing, But I just want to give him goals.”

In a glimpse into what City hope is a bright future after Guardiola, teenage Morocco midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi, signed from Lille for 86 million pounds ($116m) this week, came off the bench for his debut in the closing minutes.

For Palace, it is back-to-back defeats to start their campaign following a 2-0 reverse at Everton.