73% Possession Drives Manchester City to a 4-1 Win at Palace

Crystal Palace lost 1-4 to Manchester City at Selhurst Park on Friday, with City securing a convincing Premier League victory after leading 1-0 at half-time.

Haaland and Cherki set the tone

Manchester City took control in the 17th minute when Erling Haaland converted from A. Semenyo’s assist. Palace struggled to build sustained pressure as City circulated possession and created the clearer opportunities, although the hosts remained within one goal at the interval.

The match opened up after the break. Rayan Cherki doubled City’s advantage in the 54th minute after being set up by P. Foden. Two minutes later, Crystal Palace goalkeeper G. Donnarumma scored an own goal, further extending the visitors’ lead. Cherki struck again in the 59th minute, this time assisted by J. Gvardiol, to make it 4-0.

Haaland completed his double in the 84th minute, with Foden providing the assist. Palace’s event list contained no goal of its own, and the final score reflected City’s authority despite Palace recording eight shots off target and six attempts from inside the box.

City dominate possession and chances

Manchester City had 73% possession and completed 711 of 766 passes, compared with Palace’s 225 accurate passes from 272. The visitors also led total shots 18-9, shots on goal 9-1 and corner kicks 6-2. Their expected-goals figure was 1.45 against Palace’s 0.57, underlining the difference in chance quality.

The statistics show that the scoreline was supported by City’s control rather than a fortunate result. Palace did produce seven shots off target and had six attempts inside the box, but only one effort was on target. City’s goalkeeper made one save, while Donnarumma was credited with four, and Palace were caught offside three times to City’s zero.

Cherki leads the ratings

Cherki was the standout performer, receiving a match rating of 8.7 after scoring twice in 82 minutes. He also registered three shots on target and three key passes. Haaland was similarly decisive, finishing with two goals, three shots on target and an 8.2 rating.

There were three yellow cards. Cherki was booked in the 33rd minute, E. Anderson followed in the 55th, and Palace’s A. Khalaili was cautioned in the 68th. Palace made five listed substitutions, while City replaced Gvardiol with M. Kovacic in the 75th minute.

City rise while Palace remain 17th

The result leaves Manchester City seventh with three points from one game, a record of one win, no draws and one loss listed in the current table, and a goal difference of plus one. Crystal Palace are 17th with zero points from one game, having lost once with a goal difference of minus two. The result also reversed the teams’ most recent form lines: Palace had entered after a loss, while City arrived after a win and added another.