Erling Haaland scored twice as Premier League leaders Manchester City edged Ipswich Town 3-2 on Saturday to maintain their perfect start to the league campaign.
City’s impressive form on the pitch contrasts sharply with the uncertainty surrounding the club off it, following a verdict finding them guilty of more than 100 alleged breaches of Premier League financial regulations.
Despite the controversy, City have won their first seven league matches, recording their best-ever start to a Premier League season.
The champions sit six points clear of second-placed Arsenal, who can reduce the gap with a victory over Nottingham Forest on Sunday.
City are appealing the verdict, having described the case as a “Premier League conspiracy”. If their appeal fails, the club could face severe sanctions, potentially including a substantial points deduction or expulsion from the top flight, leaving uncertainty over the significance of their results this season.
For now, however, City remain in commanding form, bouncing back from their midweek Champions League defeat to Paris Saint-Germain with another league victory.
A defiant atmosphere greeted the teams at the Etihad Stadium, where City supporters booed the Premier League anthem before kick-off. Thousands also waved inflatable bananas in a show of solidarity with the club amid its ongoing troubles.
The unusual tradition dates back to the late 1980s, when supporters brought toy bananas to matches to lift the mood during a difficult period for the team.
City fans also adopted a self-deprecating tone, chanting “You’re down with the City” at their Ipswich counterparts.
Phil Foden opened the scoring in the 19th minute, turning sharply before finishing after Jeremy Doku’s incisive run carved open the Ipswich defence.
Ipswich responded just two minutes later when Daizen Maeda evaded Marc Guehi and fired home to level the score.
Haaland restored City’s advantage in the 34th minute, rising to meet Mateo Kovacic’s cross with a precise header.
The Norwegian striker struck again in the 69th minute, racing onto Iliman Ndiaye’s pass before calmly guiding the ball past Ipswich goalkeeper Christian Walton.
The goal was Haaland’s 12th in his previous eight appearances for City, underlining his prolific form in front of goal.
Ipswich threatened a late comeback when Zian Flemming converted a 90th-minute penalty after Guehi was penalised for a foul.
However, City held firm through the closing minutes to secure all three points and extend their winning run in the Premier League.
AFP
