RAYAN DOES HIS TALKING ON THE PITCH

Cherki almost speechless after providing centre of attention

- BY SIMON BAJKOWSKI

RAYAN CHERKI ensured he did not let himself be tongue-tied after leaving Manchester City fans speechless with his match-winning display against Sunderland.

The £34 million summer signing stole the show at the Etihad as City ran out comfortable winners, with Cherki laying on two goals, including an outrageous rabona assist to Phil Foden for their third.

But while the Frenchman is still working hard to pick up the English language, he was in no mood to wax lyrical about a performance which may have thrust him into the starting lineup to face Real Madrid on Wednesday.

"Two questions," pleaded Cherki to reporters after the win, which put City two points behind Arsenal in the table. "Not five, not six, not seven."

Cherki, 22, apologised for his English and wasted no time in swerving a few questions that he said were too complicated for him.