Manchester City secured a hard-fought 3-2 victory over Ipswich Town at the Etihad Stadium, with Erling Haaland scoring twice to help the Premier League leaders maintain their perfect start to the campaign.
Phil Foden also found the net for City, who had to withstand a tense finish after Zian Flemming converted a late penalty to give Ipswich hope of salvaging a result.
The victory marked City’s second consecutive league win since the club were found guilty of serious breaches of the competition’s financial regulations last month. It also extended their 100% record under new manager Enzo Maresca, moving them six points clear of defending champions Arsenal.
Ipswich, who earned promotion to the Premier League, briefly threatened an upset after Daizen Maeda cancelled out Foden’s opening goal. However, Haaland’s brace restored City’s advantage, taking his tally to 12 goals across all competitions this season.
The Norwegian striker appeared to have completed his hat-trick, but VAR ruled out his effort for offside. Despite a dramatic closing period, City held on to claim all three points.
City Fans Show Defiance
Manchester City supporters filled the stands with inflatable bananas as they continued to demonstrate their backing for the club amid its ongoing crisis.
The inflatable fruit, which recalls a popular trend from the 1980s and 1990s, has become a symbol of the fans’ defiance, while the team has continued to deliver results on the pitch.
City captain Rúben Dias tested Ipswich goalkeeper Christian Walton early in the game, but the visitors’ shot-stopper was unable to stop Foden from opening the scoring in the 19th minute.
Jérémy Doku cut inside from the left before pulling the ball back for Foden, who marked his first appearance since receiving a red card at Old Trafford last month by finishing from close range.
City’s lead lasted only two minutes. Abdoul Ouattara released Maeda with a precise pass down the right, allowing the forward to get past Marc Guéhi before calmly beating Gianluigi Donnarumma to level the score.
Emersonn later missed the target during another Ipswich attack, but City regained the lead in the 34th minute. Mateo Kovacic reached the byline and delivered a pullback that Haaland met with a powerful header, beating Walton.
Dias tested Walton again, while Haaland, Iliman Ndiaye and Doku saw their efforts blocked as City finished the first half strongly.
Haaland Strikes Again as City Survive Late Scare
Nico O’Reilly came close to extending City’s advantage shortly after the restart with a header from a corner, but Haaland eventually doubled his tally in the 69th minute.
Ndiaye drove forward from deep before delivering a defence-splitting pass to the striker. Haaland evaded Ouattara and calmly finished past Walton to make it 3-1.
The Norwegian believed he had secured his hat-trick when he volleyed home after Ndiaye’s effort struck the crossbar. However, VAR disallowed the goal for an offside involving Enzo Fernández.
VAR intervened again shortly afterwards, awarding Ipswich a penalty after Guéhi was judged to have fouled Abdul Fatawu inside the box.
Flemming made no mistake from the spot, reducing the deficit and setting up a tense finale. Ipswich supporters grew increasingly hopeful when 12 minutes of added time were announced, but City resisted the late pressure to secure the win.
Haaland limped off at full-time, adding a final concern for City despite their successful outing.