Key points
Manchester City’s perfect start to the new season continued on Saturday with an eventful win over Ipswich Town.
Ipswich took a surprising lead early on when Sam Szmodics took advantage of some slack defender and squeezed the ball under Ederson and over the line.
But, as they say, Manchester City took that personally and struck back with violence. Erling Haaland levelled from the penalty spot five minutes later.
Kevin De Bruyne and the Norwegian sensation then scored twice in a minute to completely turn the game on its head and put Pep Guardiola’s side in cruise control.
The second half was a sunny walk in the park, made all the sweeter when Ilkay Gundogan came on for his second debut and was given a rousing reception by the home crowd.
Haaland found the bottom corner from 20 yards to complete his hat-trick late on and round off a lovely afternoon.
Here’s how the match unfolded.
Full-time: Manchester City 4-1 Ipswich
What a brilliant afternoon! City went behind but a mad 10 minutes saw Erling Haaland score twice and Kevin De Bruyne strike to turn things around. Haaland completed his hat-trick late on.
[Link]90′ 4-1 – Late Grealish booking
Grealish goes into the book late on for diving, though it’s harsh.
[Link]87′ 4-1 – GOAAAAAAL! HAALAND GETS THE HATTY
Haaland gets the third goal he’s been after all day and it’s a cracker as he finds the bottom corner from outside the box. That’s his 10th hat-trick for City!
[Link]84′ 3-1 – City pressing for another
City have dominated the ball all half and made it a dull affair with not a lot going on as a result. They’re looking to add a fourth with Haaland desperate for a hat-trick.
[Link]68′ 3-1 – He’s back!
Gundogan comes on for his second debut! He’s alongside Grealish as they replace Doku and Savinho. The fans are going wild for him.
[Link]63′ 3-1 – Haaland denied a hat-trick
De Bruyne delivers a fantastic ball which Haaland meets well but Muric saves it spectacularly.
[Link]61′ 3-1 – The crowd erupts
Fans are cheering and whistling but not because of a goal but because Ilkay Gundogan is warming up.
[Link]58′ 3-1 – Booking for Dias
Dias takes out Szmodics after the ball had already gone and is shown a yellow card.
[Link]50′ 3-1 – Kovacic off
Bad news for City as Kovacic has limped off the field. It’s not Gundogan to come on though but Stones.
[Link]48′ 3-1 – A problem for Kovacic
Kovacic has been down twice with a knee problem in the opening minutes of the half. Are we about to see Gundogan?
[Link]Half-time: Manchester City 3-1 Ipswich
What a half! Ipswich took a shock early lead through Szmodics but quickfire double from Haaland and a De Bruyne striker turned things around. City are in cruise control with Savinho firing.
[Link]45′ 3-1 – Haaland shoots over
Doku gets in behind and pulls it back to Haaland but he hits it over.
[Link]41′ 3-1 – Ipswich want a penalty
Savinho collides with an Ipswich player in the box but despite appeals a penalty is not given.
[Link]32′ 3-1 – Haaland heads wide
Savinho is once again creating chances as he finds Haaland with a cross. The striker needs to twist to get the header away and it goes just wide. He wants his hat-trick.
[Link]29′ 3-1 – Now De Bruyne hits the bar!
What was that about the game settling? This time De Bruyne has rattled the bar with a thunderous 30-yard strike.
[Link]28′ 3-1 – Lewis hits the bar!
It should be 4-1. Doku finds Lewis in the box and he has a gaping goal to aim at but he cracks his shot off the crossbar instead.
[Link]25′ 3-1 – The game has settled
After that 20-minute blitz, the game has now settled into a more familiar pattern. City are dominating the ball and pushing Ipswich back. Fans are having a great time and chanting for Gundgoan.
[Link]17′ 3-1 – What a breathless start
This has been an incredible start at the Etihad and we’ve only just managed to catch our breath!
15′ 3-1 – GOAAAL! Haaland!
City aren’t messing around and Haaland has scored again! It’s another nightmare for Muric who comes out but Haaland nods the ball past him and scores from a tight angle.
[Link]13′ – 2-1 GOAAAAAAAL! DE BRUYNE!
City have turned things around and have the lead!
Savinho won the penalty and has now set up the second as he wins the ball off Muric and De Bruyne strokes home.
[Link]11′ 1-1 GOAAAAAAAL! Haaland!
Haaland makes no mistake! He buries the penalty bottom left as Muric goes right.
[Link]7′ 0-1 Goal. Ipswich.
Wow. Ipswich lead through Szmodics after he goes through following a City defensive mix-up and sneaks the ball under Ederson. What a start.
[Link]5′ 0-0 – Flash of Ipswich danger
Johnson nearly wriggles his way past Kovacic and through on goal but the midfielder recovers. Ipswich are taking the game to City.
[Link]2′ 0-0 – First chance for City
Doku slides in an advancing Gvardiol and Haaland can’t quite convert the cross. Bright start.
[Link]1′ 0-0 – We’re off!
The game is underway. Ipswich have two former City men in their side with Muric in goal and Delap up top.
[Link]We have a change of referee
Michael Salisbury will not take charge of the match, with fourth official Sam Allison taking charge. The players are on the pitch and here we go.
[Link]Kick-off is nearly upon us!
It’s actually sunny in Manchester and the champions are ready for a big homecoming!
[Link]City starting XI
It’s an unchanged starting XI for City. Gundogan is on the bench while Foden isn’t involved as he’s unwell.
Team: Ederson; Lewis, Dias, Akanji, Gvardiol; Kovacic, Silva; Savinho, De Bruyne, Doku; Haaland
Subs: Ortega Moreno, Walker, Stones, Ake, Grealish, Gundogan, Nunes, Kabore, McAtee
[Link]Team news
Reports suggest Phil Foden is not involved today while Kevin De Bruyne, Erling Haaland and Rico Lewis all start. Team sheets due in 10 minutes or so.
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Good afternoon
Welcome to MCN’s LIVE coverage of this afternoon’s game between Manchester City and Brighton.
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