Rayan Cherki’s Rabona assist during Manchester City’s 3–0 win over Sunderland was produced with one intention in mind – to thrill the supporters who had come to watch their side tighten the title race.
The midfielder, who was named Player of the Match, delivered one of the standout moments of City’s campaign so far, helping his team cut Arsenal’s lead at the top of the Premier League table to just two points.
City had already established firm control before Cherki produced his showpiece moment. First-half goals from defenders Ruben Dias and Josko Gvardiol sent Pep Guardiola’s side into the break with a comfortable lead.
Sunderland, fighting at the other end of the table, had struggled from the opening whistle to contain City’s movement and tempo, and the Sky Blues’ dominance rarely looked under threat.
Yet even in a match where City dictated the pace throughout, Cherki managed to supply something that separated the routine from the remarkable.
Midway through the second half, the Frenchman found himself drifting towards the right-hand edge of the penalty area.
Shifting the ball onto his left foot, he seemed poised to deliver the sort of curling cross City’s forwards typically thrive on. But instead of choosing the conventional route, he opted for a moment of improvisation that instantly drew gasps around the Etihad.
Rather than swing in the cross with his stronger left foot, Rayan Cherki’s Rabona assist was produced after hd wrapped his right leg behind his standing foot and delivered a perfect crossing into the box.
The ball arced through the air and fell invitingly for Phil Foden, who guided a simple header past the Sunderland goalkeeper to seal City’s third of the afternoon. It was the sort of assist that will replay endlessly across highlight reels, not simply for its difficulty but for the sheer audacity behind the execution.
Speaking after the match according to City official website, Cherki was asked whether he had heard the crowd’s reaction to the skill. His reply reflected both his creative instincts and his understanding of City’s connection with the supporters.
“Yeah I heard it [fan reaction], just for the fans because I want to give the pleasure to others,” he said. “I want to play for Phil [Foden], for Omar [Marmoush] and for Erling [Haaland].”
Cherki continued by explaining that these moments of flair are not spontaneous anomalies but an integral part of how he sees the game.
“It’s my quality, I want to try all the time when I have the ball. Today it was good because it was a good pass for Phil,” he added.
The midfielder also praised City’s defensive discipline, noting the importance of keeping a clean sheet after the team’s recent habit of conceding late or unnecessary goals.
“Today it was a great game. We don’t want to concede goals and today we didn’t. Perfect day,” he said.
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With Arsenal still narrowly ahead at the top of the Premier League table, City’s victory carries significant weight. Their ability to apply pressure on Mikel Arteta’s side has been central to many of their title pursuits in recent years.
And while supporters and analysts will inevitably frame every result within the context of the title race, Cherki was keen to emphasise that the team is avoiding looking too far ahead.
“We know that [we are two points behind Arsenal]. We take the game one after one,” he said. “We want to work for wins and games.”
Meanwhile, apart from Rayan Cherki’s Rabona assist, his influence on the match extended beyond the special moment. Throughout the afternoon he acted as the link between midfield and attack, shifting into pockets of space that Sunderland consistently struggled to track.
His willingness to receive the ball under pressure, coupled with an eagerness to attempt riskier passes, helped City sustain long periods of controlled possession that forced the visitors deeper and deeper into their own half.