Rayan Cherki targets more goals and assists after flying Manchester City start

Rayan Cherki wants to continue delivering goals and assists for Manchester City after maintaining his impressive start to the season in the dramatic 5-3 victory over Sunderland.

The French attacker scored City’s second goal at the Etihad Stadium, helping Enzo Maresca’s side overcome a Sunderland team inspired by Brian Brobbey’s hat-trick.

Cherki now has three goals and two assists from his opening five Premier League appearances, while he also found the net during City’s 5-0 Carabao Cup victory over Norwich.

City opened the scoring against Sunderland through Enzo Fernández before Brobbey quickly equalised.

Cherki then restored the hosts’ advantage, making it 2-1 and continuing his productive opening weeks of the campaign.

“I’m very happy because it’s the goal to make it 2-1,” Cherki told City Studios after the game. “I need to help my teammates.”

The 23-year-old made clear that providing chances for those around him remains important, but he also wants to increase his own scoring numbers.

“I want to give them good passes. I need for me to score a lot of goals for my team.”

That ambition is already translating into tangible output. Five direct goal contributions from five Premier League appearances represents an encouraging return, with his Carabao Cup strike taking his tally to four goals across all competitions.

Cherki was one of several City attackers to contribute during an extraordinary afternoon at the Etihad.

Antoine Semenyo scored twice, while Fernández and Erling Haaland joined Cherki on the scoresheet as City eventually prevailed 5-3.

Brobbey repeatedly kept Sunderland in the contest with his hat-trick, but City ultimately had too much attacking quality.

Cherki was particularly pleased that supporters were treated to such an entertaining encounter.

“I love the fans,” he said. “And today I think the fans saw a big game.”

His next challenge is maintaining the consistency that has made him one of City’s most productive attacking players during the opening weeks of the campaign.

Cherki will now look to maintain his excellent attacking output as competition for places continues within Maresca’s squad.

With four goals in all competitions already, the Frenchman has made a productive start and is targeting an even greater contribution as the season develops.