Manchester City midfielder Rayan Cherki has attributed his eye-catching display against Crystal Palace to instinct after playing a key role in the champions’ convincing Premier League victory.

City secured a 4-1 win over Palace on Friday, maintaining their flawless start to the league campaign. Cherki was one of the standout performers, finding the net twice during the encounter.

His opening goal was particularly impressive as the Frenchman burst through the Palace defence before calmly finishing with his left foot past goalkeeper Dean Henderson.

The move caught the attention of supporters and underlined his attacking quality.

Palace managed to pull a goal back, briefly giving themselves hope of mounting a comeback. However, Cherki responded almost immediately with his second goal, restoring City’s advantage and effectively ending the contest as a competition.

Speaking after the match, Cherki explained that there was little calculation behind his first strike. He said the finish came naturally and expressed satisfaction with the team’s overall result.

Cherki admitted that City had struggled to create enough space during the first half, which limited his opportunities to influence the game.

The midfielder also revealed that he was unhappy when he realised manager Pep Guardiola was considering taking him off.

Rather than accept the change quietly, Cherki said he wanted to demonstrate his desire to remain on the pitch and contribute with goals and assists.

His two-goal performance ultimately helped City claim another important victory and highlighted Cherki’s growing influence in the team’s attack.