Rayan Cherki scored twice in Manchester City's 4-1 win over Crystal Palace on Friday night, but the playmaker was unhappy with his own first-half display, describing it as "s***" in a live TV interview.
Cherki, who also earned praise from boss Enzo Maresca, turned the air blue on Sky Sports after the match, despite scoring twice in the second half. Erling Haaland also netted two goals in the comfortable victory at the Etihad.
Cherki's self-criticism and Maresca's response
Speaking to Sky Sports, Cherki said: "We didn't find the space in the first half; I played so s***! When I saw Enzo wanted to change me, I didn't like that!"
He added: "And I need to show them that I want to play, I want to score, I want to give assists for Erling! Today I didn't give a lot of balls for him, and next time I want to give him a lot of balls."
Maresca, however, was full of praise for the Frenchman, saying: "His performance for me was very good. Not because of the two goals, but the way he worked off the ball. He has to press. He was in charge when Palace has the ball. I think his game was a complete game, on the ball and off the ball."
Maresca's confidence and transfer updates
The City boss also highlighted Cherki's passion for the game, adding: "First of all, he loves football, and so it's much more easy to work with him. This is what it is. Is Rayan? Rayan is like this. We know how good he is. We know the quality that he has."
He continued: "In this moment, he is helping the team with the numbers in terms of assist and goal. And no doubt that he is going to help the team also in the future."
Maresca believes the signs are good for City's season after their strong start, saying: "Absolutely, but especially I like the sacrifice or the desire of the ball. Because if we are able to match the intensity, the desire of different opponents, I think with the quality we have, we can do something important. But again, we were good on the ball, but I think we were very good also off the ball."
On the transfer front, Maresca is still trying to bring in Enzo Fernandez before the window shuts, while Jack Grealish is a target for both Everton and Sunderland. Maresca admitted Grealish could leave before Tuesday, saying: "I had a chat with Jack yesterday. We see what's happening in the next 48 to 72 hours and we'll see."
Palace's frustration and Mateta injury
Palace boss Pierre Sage was left frustrated by the result and the loss of Jean-Philippe Mateta to injury for around four weeks, which may mean the unsettled striker stays.
Sage said: "I'm frustrated with the score. It's heavy. We had a lot of opportunities and didn't take it. Football is not about style, it's about efficiency. And sometimes you need the points to have confidence."
He added: "Mateta was injured two days before the game. At the end of a session, individual work. It's crazy. Maybe we've lost him for four weeks at least."
