Absolutely DISGUSTING.” Man City fans are all saying the same thing about one player who surpassed Phil Foden in the win over Crystal Palace.

Manchester City supporters went into Sunday’s match against Crystal Palace knowing how important the game was. Arsenal had already won late against Wolves, and the pressure was firmly on Pep Guardiola’s team to respond. There was no space for mistakes, no room for a slow performance, and no excuse for anything less than a strong win. By the time the final whistle blew on a 3-0 victory, City had done more than just respond. They had reminded everyone of their power, their quality, and their hunger. But more than that, they had witnessed something that left fans stunned, emotional, and almost lost for words. And surprisingly, it was not Erling Haaland who took most of the praise. It was not even Phil Foden, despite another brilliant goal. It was Rayan Cherki.

From the moment Cherki stepped onto the pitch, there was a feeling that something special was about to happen. He played with confidence, freedom, and a calm belief that separated him from everyone else. Every touch of the ball seemed meaningful. Every movement looked deliberate. Every decision felt right. This was not just a good performance from a talented player. This was the kind of display that makes fans sit back and realise they might be watching the rise of a truly special footballer.

Manchester City signed Rayan Cherki in June from French club Lyon in a deal worth around £34 million. At the time, many fans were excited but cautious. Cherki had always been seen as one of the most gifted young players in France, a footballer blessed with incredible technical ability and creativity. But the Premier League is a different challenge. It is faster, more physical, and more demanding. Some wondered whether he would need time to adapt. Others worried about his consistency. Those concerns only grew when his early weeks at the Etihad Stadium were ruined by injury.

For a while, Cherki was more talked about for what he could do than what he was actually doing on the pitch. He missed games, returned slowly, and was often limited to short substitute appearances. There were flashes of quality, but nothing sustained. Some fans grew impatient. Others remained calm, trusting Pep Guardiola’s judgement and believing that the talent would eventually shine through. What they are seeing now proves that patience was the right choice.

Since returning to full fitness, Cherki has been nothing short of sensational. Match after match, he has grown in confidence and influence. Against Sunderland earlier, City fans were already in awe of what they saw. Against Crystal Palace, that feeling only grew stronger. By the end of the game, social media was full of messages praising him, celebrating him, and struggling to describe just how good he was.

The match itself followed a familiar pattern for Manchester City. They dominated possession, controlled the tempo, and slowly pushed Crystal Palace deeper and deeper. The opening goal came through Erling Haaland, who once again showed why he is one of the most feared strikers in the world. Matheus Nunes delivered a deep cross into the box, and Haaland rose above everyone else to power a header into the net. It was simple, direct, and effective. A classic Haaland goal.

But even before that moment, Cherki was already making things happen. He dropped into midfield to collect the ball, turned away from pressure with ease, and carried the ball forward with purpose. Palace tried to press him, but he always seemed to find a way out. A quick turn here, a clever pass there, a sudden burst of speed that left defenders chasing shadows.

The second goal was the moment that truly captured the imagination of Manchester City fans. Cherki picked up the ball in midfield with Adam Wharton close to him. Instead of playing it safe, he drove forward, gliding past Wharton as if he was not even there. With Palace defenders retreating, Cherki waited for the perfect moment before laying the ball off to Phil Foden. From the edge of the box, Foden did the rest, drilling a powerful shot into the corner of the net.

It was a wonderful goal, and Foden deserves huge credit. The England international is in the form of his life, with six goals and one assist in his last four Premier League matches. He looks sharp, confident, and full of belief. But even on a day when Foden scored another brilliant goal, the spotlight was firmly on Cherki. It was his vision, his courage, and his composure that made the goal possible.

As the game went on, Cherki continued to run the show. He drifted wide, moved inside, dropped deep, and popped up in spaces that Palace simply could not deal with. Nathaniel Clyne had a long afternoon, constantly forced into difficult situations and rarely coming out on top. Cherki completed five successful dribbles, created three chances, and was involved in almost everything good that City did going forward.

What impressed fans even more was his work without the ball. This was not a player who only wanted to show off his skills. Cherki worked hard, made five recoveries, and won seven of his eleven duels. He tracked back when needed, pressed intelligently, and showed that he understands what Pep Guardiola demands from his players. This balance between flair and discipline is not easy to find, especially in a young player.

When Erling Haaland scored his second goal of the game from the penalty spot late on, the result was sealed. City had won 3-0, exactly the kind of response Guardiola wanted after Arsenal’s victory the day before. But while the team celebrated another important win, fans were already thinking beyond the result. They were thinking about Cherki.

The reaction online was incredible. Manchester City fans flooded social media with praise, jokes, and emotional messages. One fan described Cherki as “absolutely disgusting,” using the term in a positive way to show just how unstoppable he looked. Another went even further, calling him the best football player in the world. Others spoke about how watching him play made them feel, how he brought joy back to football.

One message stood out, asking what Lyon were thinking when they sold Cherki for £34 million. The fan described him as a one-of-a-kind, generational footballer and suggested that City had completely robbed the French club. While that might be an exaggeration driven by excitement, it shows just how highly Cherki is already rated by the supporters.

Another fan said Cherki had changed his life. Others called him the most beautiful thing to happen to Manchester City in the last five years. Some even suggested that the partnership between Cherki and Foden could be the best midfield duo in the world. These are big claims, but they reflect genuine excitement rather than blind hype.

Part of what makes Cherki’s rise so impressive is the context of his season. Despite missing around two months through injury and often being limited to very short appearances early on, he is now leading the Premier League in assists. That alone tells a powerful story. It shows how effective he is when he plays, how quickly he can influence games, and how naturally creative he is.

The statistics from the Crystal Palace match only back up what fans saw with their eyes. Cherki created more chances than any other player on the pitch. He completed five successful dribbles. He made five recoveries and won the majority of his duels. This was not just a highlight-reel performance filled with tricks and flicks. It was a complete footballing display.

There is also something about Cherki’s style that feels perfect for Manchester City. Under Pep Guardiola, City have become a team known for control, patience, and precision. Cherki adds something slightly different. He brings unpredictability. He brings moments of chaos that can break open even the most organised defence. He is the player who can do something unexpected, something that no one else on the pitch even sees.

Guardiola has always loved players who think quickly and play with intelligence, and Cherki clearly fits that profile. But he also brings joy. You can see it in the way he plays, the way he takes risks, and the way he expresses himself on the pitch. Football, at its heart, is meant to be entertaining, and Cherki embodies that idea.

The praise from fellow playes and football figures is also growing. Kylian Mbappe has already spoken highly of Cherki, and it is easy to understand why. There is a confidence and creativity in his game that separates him from many others. He plays like someone who believes he belongs at the very top.

For Manchester City fans, this feels like the beginning of something special. They have watched world-class players come and go. They have celebrated legends and witnessed historic seasons. But there is something uniquely exciting about seeing a young player grow into his potential right in front of your eyes. Cherki feels like one of those players who could define an era if everything goes right.

Phil Foden’s rise has already been a source of pride for City supporters, especially as a homegrown talent. Now, watching Foden link up with Cherki feels like watching the future unfold. Their understanding, movement, and creativity complement each other beautifully. When they are both in form, City look almost unstoppable.

As the season continues, expectations will grow. Opponents will study Cherki more closely. Defenders will try to stop him. There will be tougher games and quieter moments. But if his performance against Crystal Palace is anything to go by, he has the talent and mentality to handle it all.

Manchester City keep marching forward, driven by ambition and quality. With Erling Haaland scoring goals, Phil Foden playing the best football of his career, and Rayan Cherki producing performances that leave fans speechless, it is difficult to see them slowing down anytime soon. For now, City supporters are simply enjoying the ride, watching a new star shine, and wondering just how far Rayan Cherki can go.