Erling Haaland delivered a stunning performance by netting a hat-trick as Manchester City surged back from an early setback to overpower newly-promoted Ipswich Town with a 4-1 victory on Saturday. The match, held at the Etihad Stadium, saw City fans initially rattled as Ipswich took a shock lead, but their anxiety was short-lived as Haaland and his teammates quickly turned the tide, demonstrating why they are the reigning Premier League champions.
The afternoon started on a surprising note when Ipswich’s Sammie Szmodics scored just seven minutes into the game. The visitors, who were experiencing their first top-flight campaign in over two decades, could not have hoped for a better start. A well-placed pass from Ben Johnson sliced through a seemingly complacent Manchester City defense, finding Szmodics. His low shot, while not the most powerful, had enough precision to sneak past Ederson, sending the Ipswich fans into a frenzy. Szmodics’ goal was not only a personal triumph but also a historic moment, marking Ipswich’s first Premier League goal in 22 years.
However, Manchester City, known for their resilience and attacking prowess, were not to be outdone. The mood of celebration, which had been evident before the kick-off as fans celebrated their team’s fourth consecutive league title and welcomed back former captain Ilkay Gundogan—who was making a return to the bench—was momentarily dampened by the early goal. But City, a team built on the foundations of calmness under pressure and tactical precision, regrouped quickly.
City’s response was nothing short of a blitz. Just ten minutes after Szmodics’ opener, City found their rhythm. The turning point came when the lively Savinho, making his home debut, won a penalty for the home side. The young Brazilian’s pace and trickery proved too much for the Ipswich defense, forcing them into a rash challenge inside the box. Haaland, ever the composed figure, stepped up and converted the penalty with clinical precision, leveling the score and igniting the City comeback.
The equalizer marked the beginning of a relentless four-minute spell where City turned the match on its head. Ipswich goalkeeper Arijanet Muric, who was facing his former club, had a return to the Etihad he would likely want to forget. Moments after the penalty, Muric found himself under pressure as he hesitated with the ball at his feet. Sensing an opportunity, Savinho pounced, dispossessing Muric and laying the ball off to Kevin De Bruyne. The Belgian maestro made no mistake, rolling the ball into an unguarded net, giving City the lead and showcasing their ability to capitalize on even the slightest lapse from their opponents.
City’s attacking onslaught continued almost immediately. De Bruyne, whose vision and passing ability have often been the keys to unlocking stubborn defenses, delivered a sublime ball over the top. Haaland, always alert and lethal in the final third, timed his run perfectly, meeting the pass and calmly slotting the ball past the stranded Muric into an empty net. The scoreline read 3-1, and the Etihad erupted in celebration. The two-goal cushion allowed City to settle into their usual rhythm, dominating possession and dictating the pace of the game.
De Bruyne nearly added a fourth before halftime, unleashing a strike from distance that crashed off the crossbar, sending a warning to Ipswich that City was not content to sit back. As the second half progressed, Ipswich, to their credit, showed resolve and determination. Manager Kieran McKenna, facing a daunting baptism of fire with back-to-back matches against Liverpool and Manchester City, encouraged his side to fight on, and they did manage to stave off further damage for over an hour.
But Haaland, who has made a habit of delivering when it matters most, wasn’t finished. Late in the game, he added a touch of brilliance to what had already been a dominant performance. Picking up the ball outside the box, he unleashed a powerful strike that left Muric with no chance, completing his hat-trick and sealing a comprehensive victory for Manchester City. This marked Haaland’s seventh Premier League hat-trick in just 68 games—a staggering achievement that cements his reputation as one of the most prolific strikers in the league’s history.
With this emphatic win, Manchester City not only secured three points but also sent a clear message to the rest of the league. City’s victory takes them to the top of the Premier League table, with a maximum of six points from their opening two games, showcasing their intent to defend their title with the same tenacity that has seen them dominate English football in recent years.
