6 hours ago
38
Manchester City's supporters responded to Pep Guardiola's gesture before serenading the sensational Rayan Cherki
Shortly before Rayan Cherki's moment of magic in the Manchester rain on Saturday afternoon, Pep Guardiola turned to the crowd and raised his hands in applause. Manchester City were 2-0 up against Sunderland but the opening 15 minutes of the second half had been fast and furious and frantic.
Both teams had hit the post, Erling Haaland was denied by a goalline clearance, and at the other end Ruben Dias gifted Wilson Isidor a clear run on goal with a sloppy pass but Gianluigi Donnarumma bailed out his captain with a fine save.
At that stage the memories of City's previous two games were fresh in minds. The Blues had surrendered a two-goal lead at home to Leeds before Phil Foden bailed them out with a last-gasp winner, and in midweek City had inexplicably shipped four at Fulham as they collapsed from a 5-1 procession to hanging on at 5-4.
The second half showings, the game management and the defensive shortcomings had all been to the fore in the build-up to the Sunderland clash. Guardiola was keen to point out the positives, namely two wins and eight goals. The visit of Sunderland, and a two-goal interval lead, was the acid test. City passed, just. They rode their luck at times and it wasn't flawless, but as Guardiola conducted to supporters, the home fans responded and raised the noise levels.
Cherki then lifted the decibel level further. He'd already created a huge chance for Haaland with some inspired footwork as he tricked his way down the byline and into the box. His assist for Foden's game-clinching third was irresistible. Having collected the ball on the right side, he checked back and produced a stunning rabona cross which was expertly guided into the net via a kiss on the bar from an in-form Foden. Five goals in three games for the born-again City sensation.
And the Blues have a new star in the making in Cherki. Guardiola was quick to praise his impact at Fulham and again eulogised about his summer signing after the Sunderland victory.
As his assist was replayed again and again on the big screens in the Etihad Stadium there were audible gasps from the stands. Those same supporters were on their feet 17 minutes later to serenade the Frenchman as he made his way off the pitch. The 22-year-old was given a standing ovation by the crowd and soaked in the acclaim during his trot to the touchline.
He took his seat on the bench, under a big coat as the rain teemed down, but the smile was broad and the words from team-mates nothing but complimentary. Cherki can be a star in the making. Guardiola knows it and the City fans know it, too.
English (US) ·