Manchester City supporters have every reason to be excited after watching their side produce another eye-catching performance under Enzo Maresca.
City defeated Crystal Palace 4-1 at Selhurst Park, with Rayan Cherki playing a starring role in a quickfire double that helped inspire the impressive victory.
However, the reaction from Manchester City fans has gone beyond the scoreline.
Supporters have also been impressed by the football, the performances of the new signings and, perhaps most importantly, the opportunities being given to younger players.
A post from City Xtra on X captured much of the mood surrounding the result. The supporter praised sporting director Hugo Viana for his recruitment and highlighted Elliot Anderson and Ayyoub Bouaddi, while also suggesting that Cherki is thriving under Maresca.
Other fans were even more enthusiastic.
Some described Maresca as “cooking”, while another supporter claimed that the new manager is building something “scarry”. There was also a clear feeling that City are becoming more enjoyable to watch.
Rayan Cherki steals the spotlight
The biggest talking point from the victory was undoubtedly Cherki.
The France international scored twice in quick succession and demonstrated the technical quality that Manchester City supporters have been hoping to see consistently.
His performance was particularly encouraging because it came during a convincing team display rather than an isolated individual moment.
Fans on X were quick to celebrate the attacking midfielder.
ManCity2011 wrote that Cherki was “brilliant” and suggested that he feels better playing under Maresca. That is a significant observation because the new manager’s system appears to be giving City’s attacking players freedom to influence matches.
Cherki’s creativity, movement and ability to find dangerous positions can become major weapons for City.
The Palace victory offered another glimpse of that potential.
For supporters, the most exciting part is that Cherki may still have another level to reach.
Fans praise Hugo Viana’s recruitment
While Cherki received plenty of attention, supporters also looked at the wider recruitment strategy.
ManCity2011 specifically gave credit to Hugo Viana for bringing in two midfielders who have already made an impression.
Elliot Anderson was singled out for his energy and work rate.
The supporter described Anderson as being “all over the place”, a phrase that reflects the midfielder’s ability to cover ground and contribute in different areas of the pitch.
That kind of profile could prove valuable for Maresca.
Manchester City have gone through a period of transition, and rebuilding the midfield has been one of the biggest challenges facing the club.
Anderson’s arrival gives the manager another option with physicality, intensity and defensive responsibility.
Then there is Bouaddi.
The young midfielder’s cameo also caught the attention of supporters. One particular moment stood out when Bouaddi played a pass through the Palace defence towards Antoine Semenyo.
For a young player, producing such a pass in a Premier League match is an encouraging sign.
It also fits perfectly with another theme emerging from the reaction to Maresca’s management.
Maresca’s faith in young players excites City supporters
Perhaps the strongest source of optimism is Maresca’s willingness to give young players meaningful opportunities.
ManCity2011 specifically praised the manager for giving time to younger players.
That has quickly become one of the defining characteristics supporters associate with the new Manchester City era.
Maresca succeeded Pep Guardiola in June 2026, and expectations were always going to be enormous.
Replacing Guardiola was never going to be straightforward.
Yet fans now appear increasingly convinced that Maresca is creating his own identity rather than simply trying to replicate what came before.
The use of young players is particularly important.
Manchester City have invested heavily in their academy and recruitment structure. Seeing emerging talents receive opportunities alongside established stars gives supporters a reason to believe the squad can develop together.
Bouaddi’s cameo against Palace was therefore about more than a few minutes on the pitch.
It represented another small indication of the direction Maresca wants to take the club.
“Maresca is building something”
The confidence among supporters is perhaps best illustrated by one short reaction.
“Enzo, I fully trust and blv in whatever you’re building,” wrote Hadji Rozay.
That is a powerful statement given how early Maresca’s Manchester City tenure remains.
There is naturally a long way to go.
One Premier League victory cannot determine whether a manager will ultimately succeed. However, performances like this can create momentum.
Another supporter simply declared: “Maresca is cooking.”
That phrase appeared alongside similar reactions describing City’s performance as “scary”.
The common theme is clear.
Fans are beginning to see a team with a new identity.
Supporters say City are fun to watch again
Perhaps the most revealing reaction came from ManCity2011, who compared Maresca’s football favourably with City’s final two seasons under Guardiola.
The supporter wrote that Maresca’s City are “finally fun to watch again” and complained less about the team’s style being boring.
It is an important point.
Guardiola’s final period at Manchester City had already delivered an extraordinary amount of success, but the team had also gone through periods when performances lacked the fluency supporters had become accustomed to.
Maresca has inherited a squad containing established stars, exciting new signings and talented young players.
His challenge is to combine those elements into a team that can compete for trophies while also developing a recognisable style.
The Palace victory suggested that process is moving in the right direction.
Gianluigi Donnarumma also earns praise
The attacking players understandably dominated the reaction, but supporters also noticed Gianluigi Donnarumma’s contribution.
Elam praised the goalkeeper’s footwork and said he was happy for him.
That may seem like a small detail after a 4-1 victory, but it highlights an important aspect of Maresca’s football.
The goalkeeper is expected to contribute to City’s build-up, particularly when the team wants to control possession from the back.
Donnarumma’s ability with the ball at his feet can therefore become an important part of City’s approach.
A comfortable goalkeeper gives the defence another passing option and can help the team escape pressure.
Phil Foden remains on fans’ minds
Not every reaction focused exclusively on the players who impressed against Palace.
One supporter expressed hope for a “Foden redemption”.
That comment is significant because Phil Foden remains an important figure in Manchester City’s future.
The England international has already established himself as one of the club’s most talented players. However, supporters clearly want to see him rediscover his best form and become a central figure in the new era.
Maresca’s challenge will be to get the best from Foden while also finding room for Cherki and City’s other attacking options.
If he can do that, City’s attacking potential could become frightening.
“Top of the league, doubt us now”
The confidence has already reached another level among some supporters.
Kate Maverick posted: “Top of the league, Doubt us now.”
It was a short message, but it perfectly captured the mood after the Palace victory.
Other fans simply celebrated the performance, with reactions including “Good game”, “Wow wowww” and “Get in!!!!”
Those comments demonstrate how quickly a convincing performance can change the atmosphere around a football club.
Manchester City supporters are not simply celebrating three points.
They are beginning to believe that the post-Guardiola era could bring something different, exciting and successful.
Maresca has given City fans something to believe in
The 4-1 victory over Crystal Palace will not define Manchester City’s season.
There will be difficult matches, setbacks and periods when Maresca’s methods are tested.
But the reaction from supporters shows that belief is growing.
Cherki is producing moments of brilliance. Anderson is bringing energy to midfield. Bouaddi is showing that young players can contribute. Donnarumma is earning praise for his distribution. Foden remains a player fans desperately want to see flourish.
Most importantly, Maresca is beginning to establish an identity.
The comments from Manchester City supporters suggest that they are enjoying what they are seeing.
For a club entering a new era, that matters enormously.
The Palace victory offered another reminder that this Manchester City side could be entering an exciting period under Maresca.
And if the reaction from supporters is anything to go by, the optimism around the Etihad is only going to grow.
