manager Enzo Maresca hailed Rayan Cherki’s ‘unbelievable’ all-round performance in their 4-1 thrashing of Crystal Palace in the English Premier League on Friday.
The Italian coach had admitted earlier that the attacking midfielder was frustrated to be left out of the starting line-up for last weekend’s 2-1 win against Bournemouth. But having chosen to start him against Pierre Sage’s side, Cherki responded in emphatic style with a masterful display at Selhurst Park that underlined his qualities.
Enzo Maresca
The 23-year-old bagged a brace (54th and 59th min) after an own goal from City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma (56th min) cancelled out Erling Haaland’s opener (17th min). The Norwegian then struck again in the 84th minute to cap the Sky Blues’s second successive EPL victory.
Maresca was left impressed by the way in which Cherki combined his playmaking brilliance with the task of subduing Palace midfielder Adam Wharton.
“His [Cherki’s] performance both on and off the ball was unbelievable. He was in charge of marking Wharton, and he controlled him very well. He’s a quality player,” said the Sky Blues’s manager.
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