Manchester City beat Crystal Palace 4-1 at Selhurst Park

The Premier League clash took place on 28 August 2026 at Selhurst Park in London, with Manchester City visiting Crystal Palace for a decisive encounter.

How it unfolded

The first breakthrough came in the 17th minute when Erling Haaland rose to meet a cross from Antoine Semenyo and headed the ball into the high centre of the net, giving the visitors a 1-0 lead. The early goal set the tone for a dominant City display.

Manchester City’s momentum was briefly halted in the 33rd minute when Rayan Cherki received a yellow card for a bad foul, but the team quickly regained control.

In the 54th minute Cherki repaid the booking with a left-footed strike from the centre of the box that curled into the bottom left corner, assisted by Phil Foden, extending the lead to 2-0.

Just a minute later, Elliot Anderson was shown a yellow card for a bad foul, but the action continued unabated.

The following minute, Crystal Palace’s goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma inadvertently turned a ball into his own net, resulting in an own goal that made the score 2-1. The home side’s consolation came quickly, but the visitors remained in command.

Rayan Cherki then added his second goal of the afternoon in the 59th minute, firing a right-footed shot from outside the box into the bottom left corner after a precise pass from Josko Gvardiol, pushing the tally to 3-1.

Crystal Palace’s Anan Khalaili was booked in the 68th minute for a bad foul, but the scoreline was already firmly in City’s favour.

The final blow arrived in the 84th minute when Haaland struck again, this time with his left foot from the centre of the box, slotting the ball into the top left corner after a assist from Phil Foden, sealing a comprehensive 4-1 victory.

Standout performers

Erling Haaland was the standout scorer, netting two goals – the opener in the 17th minute and the fourth in the 84th – and benefitting from assists by Antoine Semenyo and Phil Foden.

Rayan Cherki also shone, contributing a brace of goals in the 54th and 59th minutes, with assists supplied by Phil Foden and Josko Gvardiol respectively.

Phil Foden’s creative influence was evident through his two assists, first to Cherki and later to Haaland, underpinning City’s attacking fluidity.

Antoine Semenyo provided the early cross that set up Haaland’s opening header, while Josko Gvardiol’s delivery enabled Cherki’s third-minute goal.

Match facts

  • Final score: Crystal Palace 1-4 Manchester City
  • Scorers:
    • Erling Haaland (17')
    • Rayan Cherki (54')
    • Own goal – Gianluigi Donnarumma (56')
    • Rayan Cherki (59')
    • Erling Haaland (84')
  • Bookings:
    • Rayan Cherki (Manchester City) – 33' (bad foul)
    • Elliot Anderson (Manchester City) – 55' (bad foul)
    • Anan Khalaili (Crystal Palace) – 68' (bad foul)
  • Venue: Selhurst Park, London

What it means

The result confirms Manchester City’s superiority on the day, securing three points and a comfortable margin, while Crystal Palace returns home with a single goal and a loss, highlighting the gap in execution between the two sides in this Premier League encounter.