Erling Haaland scored two goals to lead Manchester City to a Premier League victory at Crystal Palace's Selhurst Park. The win, reported by BBC Sport on 8 June, keeps City's flawless start to the season intact under manager Enzo Maresca.
Manchester City now sit first in the Premier League with six points from two wins, three points clear of Brighton. They have scored six goals and conceded two, giving them a strong early goal difference of plus four. Their next challenge is a home match against Coventry on 5 September, a fixture you can view on our fixtures page.
How did Manchester City win the match?
City secured the three points through a combination of clinical finishing and controlling the game's key moments. Erling Haaland opened the scoring with a powerful header from an Antoine Semenyo cross, continuing his remarkable personal record of scoring in all six of his Premier League appearances at Selhurst Park. His second goal put the result beyond doubt. Rayan Cherki also found the net for City, with Phil Foden involved in the build-up to his first strike. Crystal Palace's only goal came from a Yeremy Pino free-kick that was ultimately recorded as an own goal by City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma.
Who were the standout performers?
Player ratings from BBC Sport users highlighted several key contributions. Rayan Cherki received the highest mark of the match, an 8, for his creative and goal-scoring display described as 'genius'. For City, Haaland and Semenyo both earned a 7, while midfielders Nico O'Reilly and Elliot Anderson also scored 7. Veteran defender Ruben Dias was solid with a 7. For Palace, goalkeeper Dean Henderson made several fine saves, including early stops from Anderson, Semenyo, and Cherki, earning a 7. Midfielder Adam Wharton was their other top performer with a 7, living up to the report's note that he 'excels'.
What chances did Crystal Palace miss?
The home side had opportunities to change the outcome. Eddie Nketiah forced an early save from Donnarumma and then wasted a critical chance early in the second half. Defender Chris Richards had a first-half header, while Tyrick Mitchell missed a header that could have leveled the score before the break. Striker Jorgen Strand Larsen also failed to convert a first-half opportunity. These missed moments proved costly against a City side that took its chances.
What is Manchester City's current squad situation?
The victory came with some notable team selections and substitutions. Marc Guehi, who previously played in midfield for Crystal Palace, featured in central defense for Manchester City. Manager Enzo Maresca made five changes in the second half, bringing on Mateo Kovacic, Jamie McAidoo, Matheus Bouaddi, Pedro Reis, and Keenan Braithwaite. The club's squad page shows the full roster, which is currently without the sidelined Jérémy Doku. City's strong start has been built on a solid defensive foundation, which you can explore further on our stats page.
Looking ahead, Manchester City will aim to maintain their momentum and perfect record when they host Coventry. With a three-point lead already established, every match is an opportunity to solidify their position at the top of the standings. The early season form under Maresca suggests a team focused on reclaiming the title.
