Pep Guardiola heaps praise on ‘exceptional’ Rayan Cherki after Man City win

Cherki scored a superb opener to set City on their way to a 2-0 Carabao Cup victory at home to Brentford.

Rayan Cherki scored a superb opening goal. Picture: Martin Rickett/PA

Pep Guardiola called Rayan Cherki an “exceptional player” after the Frenchman’s first-half strike inspired Manchester City to a 2-0 Carabao Cup quarter-final win over Brentford.

Cherki has endured an injury-impacted start to life at City since his £30million summer move from Lyon, but the 22-year-old has impressed in recent weeks, with four assists in his last four Premier League appearances and now a superb goal for his fourth of the campaign.