This Manchester City side looked like the team we used to see under Guardiola. Enzo Maresca's men put in an excellent performance against Crystal Palace, scoring four goals to secure a convincing victory that brings them another three points and a fresh boost of confidence.A big win on the road! 💪🦅 1-4 🐝 @okx pic.twitter.com/ZfAqHZxWHC— Manchester City (@ManCity) August 28, 2026 Manchester City made a flying start at Selhurst Park and could easily have been two or three goals ahead by the break. The visitors came within inches of opening the scoring in the seventh minute when a short corner from Cherki caused chaos inside the Palace box. Anderson's initial effort was saved by Henderson, who was then helped by his defenders as they blocked two follow-up attempts, including one from Haaland from close range. Strand Larsen made the crucial intervention near the goal-line to keep the hosts level.City continued to threaten and eventually got their reward in the 17th minute. Semenyo delivered an excellent cross from the left, and Haaland rose above Richards to produce a superb looping header over Henderson and into the net. The Norwegian's first goal of the season gave City's new manager plenty of reason to celebrate on the touchline.No ponytail? No problem.Erling Haaland has now scored in all six of his Premier League games against Crystal Palace, netting nine goals in total.It’s the best 100% scoring record a player has against an opponent in the competition.Manchester City lead at Selhurst Park. pic.twitter.com/J6A50nLS5x— The Athletic | Football (@TheAthleticFC) August 28, 2026 Palace were struggling to cope with City's attacking pressure, but the visitors missed two huge chances to extend their advantage. In the 21st minute, Foden found himself completely unmarked inside the box after a brilliant threaded pass from Anderson, only to scoop his effort over the bar with just Henderson to beat. Seven minutes later, Foden was presented with another golden opportunity when Cherki's cross found him inside the six-yard box, but his header was poorly directed despite the goal being at his mercy.Crystal Palace finally threatened in the 33rd minute when Pino's delivery from a short free-kick picked out Strand Larsen at the near post. The striker managed to direct a difficult header towards goal, but his effort flew narrowly over the crossbar.##EDITORS_CHOICE##City remained the more dangerous side and nearly doubled their lead again in the 38th minute. Gvardiol's powerful run created the opening for Semenyo, whose effort took a deflection before Henderson reacted sharply to make an important save at his near post.Haaland, relatively quiet apart from his goal, came close to adding another just before half-time when he met another cross, but this time he could not keep his header on target. Palace were under increasing pressure as the interval approached, although City had to settle for a narrow 1-0 lead despite creating enough chances to have been much further ahead.##NAJAVA_MECA_9922027##Crystal Palace came out of the break with a much more positive approach and created the first opportunity of the second half in the 50th minute. Mitchell delivered a dangerous ball from the left towards Nketiah, who found himself around five yards from goal, but the Palace forward failed to keep his effort on target and sent it wide of Donnarumma's goal.Manchester City quickly restored their control, and in the 54th minute they doubled their advantage through the brilliant Rayan Cherki. Palace's attempted pass was intercepted around halfway, with Foden collecting the loose ball before finding the Frenchman. Cherki then produced a moment of individual brilliance, weaving his way past four defenders before squeezing his finish beyond Henderson to make it 2-0.Palace responded almost immediately, although their goal came in bizarre circumstances. Jeremy Pino stepped up for a free-kick in the 56th minute and struck the crossbar with a superb effort. The ball then rebounded off Donnarumma's back and ended up in the net, meaning the City goalkeeper was credited with an own goal and Palace were suddenly back in the game at 2-1.Donnarumma's own goal (©Gallo Images)However, any hopes of a comeback lasted just three minutes. Cherki was at it again in the 59th minute, scoring his second goal of the afternoon. The French international carried the ball to around 20 yards from goal before unleashing a shot that took a deflection off a Palace defender. The change of direction left Henderson helpless and Cherki completed a remarkable individual display to restore City's two-goal cushion.The visitors remained firmly in control for the remainder of the match, with the result effectively settled long before the final whistle. In the 82nd minute, City introduced Bouaddi, the most expensive teenager in Premier League history, as he replaced Anderson.##EDITORS_CHOICE##Another substitute, McAidoo, nearly made an immediate impact just a minute after coming on. He picked up the ball around 20 yards from goal and opted to shoot, but his effort drifted wide of the Palace goal.City eventually added a fourth in the 84th minute, with Erling Haaland getting his second goal of the match. Palace lost possession, allowing Foden to seize the opportunity before delivering a perfectly timed pass into Haaland's path. The Norwegian made no mistake, smashing the ball into the net to complete City's emphatic 4-1 victory.After a dominant second-half display, City leave Selhurst Park with all three points, while Cherki emerged as the standout performer with two goals and Haaland also finishing with a brace.PREMIER LEAGUE – MATCHDAY 2FridayCrystal Palace – Manchester City 1-4 (0-1)/Donnarumma 56 og – Haaland 17, 84, Cherki 54, 59/Saturday14.30: (1.50) Liverpool (4.55) Nottingham Forest (5.90)17.00: (2.15) Bournemouth (3.40) Everton (3.40)17.00: (1.95) Coventry (3.50) Hull (3.90)19.30: (2.35) Tottenham (3.50) Newcastle (2.95)Sunday16.00: (1.90) Chelsea (3.50) Brighton (4.10)16.00: (2.65) Leeds (3.20) Brentford (2.75)16.00: (2.50) Sunderland (3.25) Fulham (2.90)18.30: (1.38) Manchester United (4.80) Ipswich (7.30)Monday22.00: (6.25) Aston Villa (4.00) Arsenal (1.55)***odds are subject to change***