City made it two Premier League wins from two under Enzo Maresca with an emphatic 4-1 victory over Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park.
Erling Haaland and Rayan Cherki scored twice each as City followed their opening-day victory over Bournemouth with an even more convincing performance in south London.
Maresca was particularly pleased with the work his players did without the ball, while he also discussed Cherki, Haaland and Marc Guéhi after the game.
On City’s performance…
Maresca felt City took a few minutes to get their pressing right, admitting they initially went about it “in the wrong way” before adjusting.
From there, the City boss believed his side controlled the contest and could have added to their four goals.
What pleased him most, though, was the work without the ball.
Maresca highlighted the “sacrifice and the desire” his players showed and believes combining that intensity with the quality already within his squad could take City a long way.
“If we are able to match the desire and intensity of different opponents,” he said, City can “do something important”.
That was perhaps the most revealing part of his assessment.
City’s attacking quality has rarely been questioned, but Maresca appears equally concerned with establishing the intensity and discipline he wants when his side do not have possession.
On Rayan Cherki…
Cherki produced the individual moments of the night, scoring twice in the second half after finding life considerably more difficult before the break.
Maresca described it as a “complete” performance, pointing not only to the Frenchman’s goals but also his defensive responsibility against Adam Wharton.
The City boss admitted Cherki had not quite been at his best in the first half, but was pleased with the work he continued to put in without the ball.
There was also an insight into what Maresca believes makes the 23-year-old tick.
“First of all, he loves football,” said the Italian, adding that this makes Cherki easier to work with.
After two assists from the bench against Bournemouth and two goals at Selhurst Park, Cherki has made an immediate impact on the new Premier League season.
On Erling Haaland…
Maresca’s message regarding Haaland was rather more straightforward: give him opportunities and the goals will come.
The Norwegian had chances without scoring against Bournemouth, but there was no concern from his manager.
“We need just to create chances for him,” Maresca said.
Haaland duly scored twice at Selhurst Park and, according to his manager, could easily have finished with more.
The double took Haaland to 10 goals in only six Premier League appearances against Palace.
For all the changes around City this summer, having one of the world’s most prolific strikers leading the attack remains a fairly useful constant.
On Marc Guéhi…
Guéhi’s versatility has already given Maresca another intriguing option.
After impressing in midfield against Bournemouth, the England international returned to central defence against his former club at Selhurst Park.
Maresca was impressed again.
“It’s what we need,” he said, praising Guéhi’s willingness to adapt and help the team in different positions.
With a long season ahead and City likely to compete on several fronts, that ability to switch between defence and midfield could become increasingly valuable.
On what City can achieve…
Perhaps the line that will most interest City supporters came when Maresca looked beyond the Palace victory.
It was not a grand prediction, and there was no suggestion that two August victories mean very much in isolation.
But his belief that this group can “do something important” if City’s quality is matched by the required intensity offered a glimpse of what he thinks may be possible.
Two matches is far too early to draw conclusions about Maresca’s City.
There are tougher afternoons and evenings ahead.
But six points, six goals and a 4-1 victory in the first away game of the Premier League season is a useful enough place to start.
For updates on City throughout the season, take a look at our LIVE! Premier League 2026/27 News, Transfers, Updates & Viral Moments page.
