Manchester City scored three goals in less than four minutes after conceding a shock early goal to crush promoted Ipswich Town 4-1 in the Premier League on Saturday.
Erling Haaland netted a hat-trick and Kevin De Bruyne also scored as City stayed perfect in their quest for a fifth consecutive league title and Ipswich remained without a point.
“Last season (Haaland) struggled a lot, especially at the beginning,” City manager Pep Guardiola told reporters. “He felt tired and niggles most of the time. This time with the rest with no Euros, he has arrived with a good vibe. The numbers are unbelievable.”
Sammie Szmodics fired Ipswich into a surprise lead in the seventh minute when Ben Johnson sent him in behind City’s defence and Ederson mishandled his shot which rolled into the net.
The visitors’ goal fired up City who netted three times in 191 seconds, sparked by Haaland’s penalty in the 12th minute.
De Bruyne capitalised on an error by keeper Arijanet Muric to put City ahead and Haaland grabbed his second when De Bruyne chipped a ball over the top and the big Norwegian beat Muric to it.
The crossbar spared Ipswich more first-half blushes as Rico Lewis and De Bruyne smashed shots off the woodwork in quick succession.
Haaland completed his hat trick with a rocket from just outside the 18-yard box in the 88th minute, the goal-scoring machine’s fourth of the young season.
City, who had 76% possession, squandered numerous chances with 13 shots to just one for Ipswich, and had the league newcomers penned in their own end for much of the afternoon.
“We tried to provoke them with the high pressing,” Guardiola said. “Of course when you come here and we feel comfortable playing in our stadium, we can do what we have done again.”
City fans welcomed second-half substitution Ilkay Gundogan back to Etihad with a loud ovation, his first game for Guardiola’s team since 2023.
“Thank you for this warm welcome to him,” Guardiola said. “He is unbelievably happy. I had doubts (about playing him). We know each other for many years and he knows exactly what he needs to do. I am very pleased he is back.”
Guardiola’s team had kicked off their quest for another title with a 2-0 win at Chelsea last weekend, while Ipswich, back in the top flight for the first time since 2002, opened with a 2-0 home loss to Liverpool.
Reuters
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