TheCrystal Palace 1-4 Manchester City away win for Manchester City at Selhurst Park on Friday, 28 August 2026. Erling Haaland and Rayan Cherki scored twice each as City made it two Premier League wins from two under Enzo Maresca.
Crystal Palace briefly cut the deficit to 2-1 when Yéremy Pino’s set piece rebounded off the crossbar and went in off Gianluigi Donnarumma, but Cherki restored City’s two-goal cushion three minutes later before Haaland completed the scoring late on.
This page covers the Crystal Palace 1-4 Manchester City score, goals, key match statistics, confirmed lineups and original SportPesa player ratings from the Premier League Matchweek 2 fixture.
FULL TIME: CRYSTAL PALACE 1-4 MANCHESTER CITY
| Match detail | Information |
| Competition | Premier League 2026/27 — Matchweek 2 |
| Date | Friday, 28 August 2026 |
| Venue | Selhurst Park, London |
| Final score | Crystal Palace 1-4 Manchester City |
| Half-time | Crystal Palace 0-1 Manchester City |
| Referee | Andy Madley |
Crystal Palace vs Manchester City goals
Manchester City led through Haaland before half-time, then scored three more times in the second half. Palace’s only goal was recorded as a Donnarumma own goal.
| Minute | Score | Scorer | Assist / detail |
| 17′ | 0-1 | Erling Haaland | Antoine Semenyo |
| 54′ | 0-2 | Rayan Cherki | Phil Foden |
| 56′ | 1-2 | Gianluigi Donnarumma (own goal) | Pino set piece struck the frame of goal before rebounding in |
| 59′ | 1-3 | Rayan Cherki | Joško Gvardiol |
| 84′ | 1-4 | Erling Haaland | Phil Foden |
How Manchester City beat Crystal Palace 4-1
Palace started with energy, but City gradually took control of possession and territory. The opening goal arrived in the 17th minute when Semenyo supplied Haaland, whose finish gave City the lead and changed the rhythm of the game.
The decisive spell came after half-time. Cherki made it 2-0 in the 54th minute from Foden’s pass. Palace answered almost immediately when Pino’s set piece created the Donnarumma own goal, but there was no sustained comeback. Cherki struck again in the 59th minute after Gvardiol’s contribution to restore City’s two-goal advantage.
City then controlled the closing stages with their possession advantage. Haaland added his second in the 84th minute from another Foden assist, making the final score 4-1 and completing a convincing away performance.
READ ALSO: Manchester City: Fixtures, Results, Standings, Squad & Stats
Crystal Palace vs Manchester City match stats
| Stat | Crystal Palace | Manchester City |
| Expected goals (xG) | 0.57 | 1.46 |
| Possession | 28% | 72% |
| Total shots | 9 | 18 |
| Big chances | 2 | 4 |
| Touches in opposition box | 13 | 33 |
The numbers show why City controlled the game. They had more than twice Palace’s possession, twice as many shots, double the big chances and 20 more touches in the opposition penalty area. The 1.46 xG total was lower than four goals would normally suggest, which underlines how efficiently City finished their best opportunities.
Crystal Palace vs Manchester City player ratings
These are original SportPesa editorial ratings on a 1-10 scale. They are based on the supplied match events and team statistics, with extra weight given to goals, assists, chance creation, defensive impact, errors, game state and how long each player was on the pitch.
Manchester City player ratings vs Crystal Palace
| Player | Rating | SportPesa assessment |
| Gianluigi Donnarumma | 5.8 | Unfortunate own goal after Pino’s set piece came back off the frame; otherwise had limited work because City controlled the game. |
| Abdukodir Khusanov | 6.8 | Helped City defend the right side and kept Palace’s attacking threat relatively quiet before making way late on. |
| Rúben Dias (C) | 7.2 | Composed in the centre of defence and helped City manage the match once they established control. |
| Joško Gvardiol | 7.8 | Strong influence from the left and supplied the assist for Cherki’s second goal. |
| Nico O’Reilly | 7.0 | Gave City energy and positional flexibility, supporting the midfield and left-side structure. |
| Elliot Anderson | 7.3 | Handled a demanding midfield role well, circulated possession and helped City dominate territory despite a booking. |
| Marc Guéhi | 7.1 | Added control and defensive balance around midfield and the back line against his former club. |
| Phil Foden | 8.6 | Two assists. Created Cherki’s first goal and Haaland’s second, making him one of the most productive players on the pitch. |
| Rayan Cherki | 9.6 | SPORTPESA MAN OF THE MATCH — two goals and the decisive creative influence after half-time. Turned a competitive match into a comfortable City win. |
| Antoine Semenyo | 8.1 | Set up Haaland’s opener and repeatedly gave Palace problems with his direct running and movement. |
| Erling Haaland | 9.2 | Two goals from decisive moments. Opened the scoring and then finished the contest with City’s fourth. |
| Mateo Kovačić | 6.5 | Helped City protect possession and close the game after replacing Gvardiol. |
| Ryan McAidoo | 6.3 | Given useful late Premier League minutes once the game was under control. |
| Ayyoub Bouaddi | 6.5 | Made his league appearance from the bench and helped City maintain midfield control in the closing stages. |
| Vitor Reis | 6.2 | Late defensive minutes with the result already secure. |
| Kaden Braithwaite | 6.2 | Entered late and helped see out a comfortable away win. |
Crystal Palace player ratings vs Manchester City
| Player | Rating | SportPesa assessment |
| Dean Henderson (C) | 6.0 | Conceded four but also faced sustained City pressure and had little protection as the game opened up. |
| Jaydee Canvot | 5.5 | Worked hard in the back three but City repeatedly found space around Palace after the interval. |
| Chris Richards | 5.7 | Competed physically but Palace struggled to contain City’s movement between and around the defensive lines. |
| Takehiro Tomiyasu | 5.6 | A difficult night against City’s rotating attack; replaced after 74 minutes. |
| Anan Khalaili | 5.7 | Tried to provide width but spent long periods defending and was booked before being substituted. |
| Daichi Kamada | 5.8 | Had limited opportunity to influence the game because City dominated possession. |
| Adam Wharton | 6.4 | Palace’s best central performer. Tried to progress the ball and give the home side control during their stronger spells. |
| Tyrick Mitchell | 5.8 | Worked up and down the flank but City’s territorial dominance restricted his attacking contribution. |
| Eddie Nketiah | 5.5 | Movement offered some threat, but Palace created too little around him and he was replaced in the second half. |
| Yéremy Pino | 6.3 | Palace’s most direct attacking spark. His set piece led to the Donnarumma own goal that briefly made it 2-1. |
| Jørgen Strand Larsen | 5.4 | Led the line but was isolated for long stretches and struggled to turn Palace’s limited possession into chances. |
| Evann Guessand | 5.8 | Added fresh legs after coming on but City regained control quickly after Palace’s goal. |
| Dwight McNeil | 5.8 | Tried to add delivery and width during the final quarter of the match. |
| Zavier Gozo | 5.7 | Entered with Palace chasing the game but had limited service. |
| Axel Disasi | 5.7 | Late defensive introduction with City already in control. |
| Óscar Mingueza | 5.7 | Could not change the momentum after replacing Khalaili. |
Who was the best player in Crystal Palace vs Manchester City?
Rayan Cherki is SportPesa’s player of the match. His two second-half goals were the defining contributions in the period when City pulled away. Haaland’s brace earns him a 9.2/10, while Foden’s two assists make him another major reason City turned possession into goals.
Crystal Palace vs Manchester City confirmed lineups
Crystal Palace used a 3-4-2-1 formation, while Manchester City were listed in a 4-2-3-1. The confirmed starting teams were:
| Crystal Palace XI | Manchester City XI |
| Dean Henderson (C) | Gianluigi Donnarumma |
| Jaydee Canvot | Abdukodir Khusanov |
| Chris Richards | Rúben Dias (C) |
| Takehiro Tomiyasu | Joško Gvardiol |
| Anan Khalaili | Nico O’Reilly |
| Daichi Kamada | Elliot Anderson |
| Adam Wharton | Marc Guéhi |
| Tyrick Mitchell | Phil Foden |
| Eddie Nketiah | Rayan Cherki |
| Yéremy Pino | Antoine Semenyo |
| Jørgen Strand Larsen | Erling Haaland |
Substitutes used
Crystal Palace used Evann Guessand, Dwight McNeil, Zavier Gozo, Axel Disasi and Óscar Mingueza. Manchester City used Mateo Kovačić, Ryan McAidoo, Ayyoub Bouaddi, Vitor Reis and Kaden Braithwaite.
What the result means for Manchester City
Manchester City move to six points from their opening two Premier League matches after following the 2-1 win over Bournemouth with a 4-1 victory at Selhurst Park. City have scored six league goals and conceded two, giving them a +4 goal difference before the rest of Matchweek 2 is completed.
The performance also gave Maresca early evidence that his attack can produce from several areas: Haaland scored twice, Cherki scored twice, Foden supplied two assists and Semenyo added another assist.
READ ALSO: Crystal Palace vs Man City PL prediction: Match preview, team news, key stats & h2h
What the result means for Crystal Palace
Crystal Palace remain without a Premier League point after two matches, following the opening 2-0 defeat at Everton with this 4-1 home loss. Palace did threaten briefly at 2-1, but the response lasted only three minutes before Cherki restored City’s two-goal lead.
Crystal Palace vs Manchester City result FAQs
What was the Crystal Palace vs Manchester City result?
Manchester City beat Crystal Palace 4-1 at Selhurst Park on 28 August 2026.
Who scored for Manchester City vs Crystal Palace?
Erling Haaland scored twice and Rayan Cherki scored twice for Manchester City.
Who scored Crystal Palace’s goal?
Palace’s goal was recorded as a Gianluigi Donnarumma own goal after Yéremy Pino’s set piece rebounded off the frame of the goal.
Who was SportPesa’s Man of the Match?
Rayan Cherki, rated 9.6/10 after scoring twice and driving City’s decisive second-half spell.
How many points do Manchester City have after the win?
City have six points from two Premier League matches.
What were the main match stats?
City had 72% possession, 18 shots, four big chances and 33 touches in the Palace box, compared with 28%, nine shots, two big chances and 13 box touches for Palace.
READ ALSO: Official Crystal Palace vs Manchester City Lineups: Premier League 2026/27
Conclusion
The Crystal Palace vs Manchester City result ended 4-1 to City after a decisive attacking display at Selhurst Park. Haaland and Cherki scored two goals each, Foden provided two assists, and City’s 72% possession and 18 shots reflected their control of the match.
For Palace, the Donnarumma own goal briefly reopened the contest, but City responded almost immediately and finished strongly. The result leaves Manchester City with two wins from two league games, while Crystal Palace remain without a point after Matchweek 2.
Related Crystal Palace and Manchester City pages
· Official Crystal Palace vs Manchester City Lineups: Premier League 2026/27
· Crystal Palace vs Man City PL prediction: Match preview, team news, key stats & H2H
· Manchester City: Fixtures, Results, Standings, Squad & Stats
· Manchester City Standings 2026/27: Premier League Table, Position & Form
· Premier League 2026/27 Matchweek 1 Results, Table & Key Takeaways
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