Haaland strikes twice to break Ipswich resistance, keep City unbeaten

Erling Haaland struck twice as relentless Manchester City maintained their perfect start to the Premier League season, edging a spirited Ipswich Town 3-2 in a tense encounter at the Etihad Stadium.

The victory sends Enzo Maresca’s side seven points clear at the summit, the only team across Europe’s top five leagues still with a 100% record, while Ipswich were left to reflect on a gutsy display that yielded a late consolation but no points.

The script seemed straightforward early on. City dominated possession, finishing with 70% of the ball, and broke through in the 19th minute when Jeremy Doku’s low cut-back found Phil Foden unmarked at the near post, and he swept home to make it 1-0.

Ruben Dias had already forced a fine save from Christian Walton, and the home faithful expected a procession.

But newly-promoted Ipswich had other ideas. Just two minutes later, Abdoul Ouattara slipped a defence-splitting pass through to Daizen Maeda, who kept his cool to slot past Gianluigi Donnarumma and level the game.

The contest remained finely balanced until the 34th minute. Mateo Kovacic, impressive in midfield, whipped a cross into the box where Haaland rose sharply to head City back in front, his ninth goal in seven league games this term.

Ipswich refused to surrender; Emersonn fired just wide before the break, and Walton continued to repel City’s waves of attack.

The decisive moment arrived just past the hour. Iliman Ndiaye collected the ball on the right, cut inside, and played a perfect pass into Haaland’s path. The Norwegian met it with a blistering strike into the bottom corner to make it 3-1, and it looked game over.

City thought they had a fourth 10 minutes from time when Haaland volleyed home, but VAR ruled it out for offside, denying him a hat-trick.

That reprieve breathed life into Ipswich. Deep into 12 minutes of stoppage time, VAR intervened again, awarding the visitors a penalty after a check inside the box. Zian Flemming stepped up and converted confidently to set up a grandstand finish, but City held firm through a nervy final moments to seal the win.