Bruno Fernandes starred with a hat-trick in Manchester United’s 5-2 rout of Ipswich, while Chelsea extended Xabi Alonso’s perfect start with a thrilling 4-3 win against Brighton on Sunday.
Fernandes shone as he ensured United bounced back from their humiliating 2-0 defeat at Hull on the opening weekend of the Premier League season.Boss Michael Carrick was in danger of another embarrassing loss to a promoted club when Leif Davis put Ipswich ahead at Old Trafford with a 29th-minute strike that cannoned in off the crossbar.
But the Fernandes show started in the 40th minute after Marcelino Nunez’s slip allowed Matheus Cunha to pick out the United captain for a sumptuous finish.United went in front in the 56th minute when Jacob Greaves was pressured into an own goal.
Greaves deflected Harry Maguire’s shot into his own net, with Ipswich’s handball appeal against the United defender snubbed by VAR.
Completing a miserable five minutes for Greaves, the Ipswich defender conceded a penalty with his foul on Cunha, and United captain Fernandes stepped up to slot home from the spot.
Fernandes sealed his treble in the 68th minute, sweeping in from close range after Kobbie Mainoo and Bryan Mbeumo had shots blocked.
It was Fernandes’s second league hat-trick for United following his treble against Leeds five years ago. Fernandes was not finished, and Bryan Mbeumo scored from his pass with a lob that clipped the bar and dropped over the line in the 82nd minute.
Chuba Akpom’s stoppage-time tap-in was little consolation for outclassed Ipswich, who were beaten for the first time since returning to the top flight. “It was a massive result for us. We lost three points last week. First game at home, the fans have been waiting for this,” Fernandes said. “Scoring goals is the best feeling in football. Doing a hat-trick at home with our fans is something I’m proud of. I hope I can do much more and help my teammates score too.”
