Crystal Palace’s Premier League season resumes with a Round 2 fixture against Manchester City at Selhurst Park, and both managers have now named their starting line-ups. This update, current as of 17 September 2026, confirms the personnel Pierre Sage and Enzo Maresca have picked after Palace’s opening-day setback and City’s win over Bournemouth.
Crystal Palace vs Man City: Lineups update
Crystal Palace’s starting XI to face Manchester City is confirmed, and Pierre Sage has made three changes from his opening-round selection. Manchester City name one alteration to the side that beat Bournemouth 2-1, with Enzo Maresca bringing in Rayan Cherki.
Palace go into this match looking to respond after a difficult start. Independent match reports confirm Everton won 2-0 at Selhurst Park in the opening round, and Sage has reshuffled his side in response, with injury also forcing his hand.
Pierre Sage makes three changes for Selhurst Park clash
The headline change sees Anan Khalaili handed his first Crystal Palace start, taking up the right wing-back role. It is a significant step up for the young full-back and a clear signal of Sage’s intent to freshen his back line.
Jørgen Strand Larsen is recalled to the starting eleven in place of Jean-Philippe Mateta, giving the forward line a different look up top. Sage’s third change is enforced rather than tactical: defender Chadi Riad is sidelined through a serious injury, ruling him out of contention for this fixture.
Those alterations leave Palace with a mix of continuity and fresh faces across the pitch. Readers can check the full squad details for background on the wider group Sage is working with this season.
Enzo Maresca introduces Rayan Cherki
Manchester City make just one change to the team that opened their campaign with a 2-1 win over Bournemouth. Rayan Cherki comes into the starting line-up, with Rico Lewis dropping out.
It is a single, targeted switch rather than a wholesale reshuffle, reflecting the fact that City’s opening performance produced a winning result. Cherki’s introduction adds a different creative option in behind Erling Haaland, who continues to lead the line for the visitors.
Crystal Palace vs Man City confirmed lineups
Crystal Palace starting XI: Henderson, Canvot, Richards, Tomiyasu, Khalaili, Kamada, Wharton, Mitchell, Pino, Nketiah, Strand Larsen.
Manchester City starting XI: Donnarumma, Khusanov, Dias, Gvardiol, O’Reilly, Anderson, Guéhi, Foden, Cherki, Semenyo, Haaland.
- Crystal Palace: three changes from the opening round, including a debut start for Anan Khalaili.
- Manchester City: one change, with Rayan Cherki replacing Rico Lewis.
What happens next for Crystal Palace
Sage’s selection shows a willingness to adapt quickly after one round of results, particularly given the injury blow to Chadi Riad. How long the defender is sidelined for will shape squad rotation over the coming weeks, and Khalaili’s opportunity at right wing-back could become a longer-term arrangement if he impresses against City’s attack.
The result at Selhurst Park will also feed into the wider picture at the top of the table, where City are already involved in early title race developments alongside Arsenal. For Palace, the emphasis remains on building on the summer’s business, detailed in our look at the club’s summer squad reshaping, and on resolving longer-term questions such as the transfer stance on Adam Wharton, who continues to start in midfield.
This piece updates our original lineups report with the confirmed team news for this fixture. Supporters should expect further team-news updates as Palace’s injury situation, particularly around Riad, becomes clearer in the coming days.
