---
title: "Man City player ratings vs Crystal Palace: Brilliant Cherki runs the show in 4-1 win"
canonical: "https://readmancity.com/2026/08/28/man-city-player-ratings-crystal-palace-cherki/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Gary Gowers"
section: "Player Ratings"
published: "2026-08-28T21:24:05Z"
modified: "2026-09-22T18:45:04Z"
---

# Man City player ratings vs Crystal Palace: Brilliant Cherki runs the show in 4-1 win

**Rayan Cherki produced an outstanding performance as [City](https://readmancity.com/) made it two Premier League wins from two with a [4-1 victory over Crystal Palace](https://readmancity.com/2026/08/28/crystal-palace-1-4-man-city-cherki-haaland/) at Selhurst Park.**

### Gianluigi Donnarumma – 7

Made important saves when Palace threatened, particularly during the more competitive first half. Unfortunate with the own goal, with Pino’s free-kick rebounding off the bar and hitting him.

### Abdukodir Khusanov – 7

Another encouraging display at right-back. Defended well when Palace tried to attack City’s flanks and looked increasingly comfortable as the game went on.

### Rúben Dias – 7

A typically solid evening. Palace caused City some problems early on but Dias helped ensure those moments never developed into sustained pressure.

### Marc Guéhi – 7

Back in central defence and looked at home there. Composed in possession and dealt well with Palace’s attacking threat alongside Dias.

### Joško Gvardiol – 7

Steady rather than spectacular, which was exactly what City required. Gave little away defensively and supported Semenyo when opportunities arose.

### Elliot Anderson – 7

Trusted as the deeper midfielder and justified it. Used the ball sensibly and gave City a platform from which their attacking players could operate.

### Nico O’Reilly – 7

Given licence to play further forward and brought plenty of energy. Another useful performance before making way for Mateo Kovačić after 75 minutes.

### Phil Foden – 8

Should probably have scored himself, but his influence grew as the game progressed. Involved in Cherki’s first and released Haaland for City’s fourth.

### Rayan Cherki – 9

**Man of the Match.** Two goals and a constant problem for Palace. His first was a wonderful piece of individual skill and his second killed off any realistic hope of a comeback. Four goal contributions in his opening two league appearances this season.

### Antoine Semenyo – 8

Another productive performance. Supplied the cross for Haaland’s opening goal and caused problems with his direct running from the left.

### Erling Haaland – 8

Two chances that mattered, two goals. His looping header gave City control of the game before an emphatic late finish completed the scoring. A very Haaland evening.

## Substitutes

**Mateo Kovačić – 6:** Helped City manage the closing stages after replacing O’Reilly.

**Ayyoub Bouaddi – 6:** A first taste of Premier League football following his arrival from Lille.

**Ryan McAidoo – 7:** Lively cameo and almost produced a superb debut goal after carrying the ball forward from inside his own half.

**Vitor Reis – 6:** Introduced late with the result already secure.

**Braithwaite – N/A:** Not enough time for a meaningful rating.

**Man of the Match: Rayan Cherki – 9/10**