LONDON -- They have a new manager and a famous fresh haircut, but when they click, Manchester City remain the same irresistible force -- as Crystal Palace found out Friday.
Rayan Cherki produced his second match-winning contribution in a week with a wonderful double at Selhurst Park, while Erling Haaland showed that even with a new trim, he's just as lethal, as he grabbed a brace and Enzo Maresca's side made it two wins from two matches with a 4-1 victory at Palace.
This will be remembered for Cherki's energetic double. His first goal, with City 1-0 up, saw him dart through at least three attempted Palace tackles and nonchalantly flick the ball past Dean Henderson. Palace struck back through a brilliant free kick from Yéremy Pino which hit the bar, rebounded off goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma and went in. But Cherki took the game by the scruff of the neck, drove at Palace's defense and flung in a long-range effort that glanced off center back Chris Richards to make it 3-1.