Manchester City extended their perfect start to the 2026/27 Premier League campaign with a battling 3-2 win over a sprightly Ipswich Town side on Saturday.
Man City earned a hard-fought 3-2 win over Ipswich Town at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday.More Videos
The Citizens arrived at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday on a hot streak of form under new manager Enzo Maresca with six league wins in a row.
Taking on a freshly promoted Ipswich side, Manchester City were electric from the start and took the lead after less than 20 minutes through Phil Foden.
The midfielder slotted home from a Jeremy Doku cross for his first Premier League goal since December 2025.
However, City were not ahead for long as Daizen Maeda levelled with a well-taken strike in what was a rare attack for the away side, leaving the Etihad stunned.
But just like this same fixture two years ago, City rallied after Ipswich's shock equaliser and retook the advantage with Erling Haaland netting.
The big Norwegian headed home after some brilliant work from the incoming Mateo Kovacic, who kept the ball in on the far right side and whipped in a great ball to attack.
Following the break, City made life hard for themselves, allowing Ipswich to put some real pressure on the sky blue backline.
It was then that Haaland finally put daylight between his side and the visitors as he stayed strong to strike in Iliaman Ndiaye's pass despite a scuffle with Abdoul Ouattara.
The striker thought he had scored a hattrick after rattling in Enzo Fernandez's pass but the celebrations were cut short after VAR ruled that the Argentine was in an offside position.
VAR then played another important role in the game, awarding a penalty to Ipswich after Marc Guehi's challenge on Abdul Fatawu in the Manchester City box.
Zian Fleming powerfully dispatched the spot kick and, coupled with 12 minutes being added on for some reason, the home side were in for a nervous finish.
City battled and earned all three points but an injury to their star striker in added time will cause some worry for Maresca.
Here are five things we learned from Manchester City's hard-fought victory over Ipswich Town.
1. Haaland's hot streak
I'm going to say something that will shock you now. Erling Haaland is very good at scoring goals.
Yes, that's right; grass is green. But there is something special about the Norwegian's consistency, specifically in this campaign.
Haaland always starts seasons well in sky blue, but scoring in six consecutive games, with a total of eight in seven, is incredible form.
The striker crucially added another brace, albeit thinking it was a hat-trick late in the game, against Ipswich Town in what proved to be a tough encounter.
There have been quieter moments in Haaland's goalscoring City career, but the Etihad faithful will be hoping that the Norwegian can carry on this hot streak as it likely will be the difference as to who is lifting the Premier League trophy come May.
He did pick up an injury in added time, and Maresca will be hoping this isn't as serious as it looks, so that the forward's plentiful supply of goals isn't brought to a sudden halt.
2. Seven wins in a row
There might be a lot of noise happening off the pitch around Manchester City at present, but the players are certainly making some racket on it as well.
Extending their impressive Premier League winning run to seven, and eight domestically, Enzo Maresca's team are already breaking records.
It was another battling performance on Saturday against Ipswich, which is fast becoming an identifier of City under the Italian.
Time and time again, whilst facing adversity, whether that be the red card versus Manchester United or the Anfield atmosphere, Maresca's Citizens rise to the occasion.
This again was the case as a pesky Ipswich side mounted pressure at the Etihad, especially following the break with City just one goal in front.
Representing a more than capable threat given their earlier equaliser, the away side were still bested by the sky blues for yet another win.
There seems to be a stronger resilience to this current team when compared to some of Pep Guardiola's sides in the past, and that is exactly the mentality that the club needs at this time, both on the grass and off it.
3. Welcome back, Phil Foden!
Phil Foden is undoubtedly beloved by Manchester City fans. He's a local lad who grew up in the city and around the club, rising from mascot to Treble winner.
In tough times off the pitch, it's natural for the fanbase to look to players to see how they represent them, and who better than the squad's longest-serving and a fellow supporter?
Foden has been missing from the pitch for several games due to a three-match domestic ban following his red card away to rivals Manchester United.
A creative livewire who has played a huge part in most of City's success in the Pep Guardiola era, the 26-year-old has been off form when it comes to goals.
His last in the Premier League came back in December 2025 against Crystal Palace, but returning from his ban on Saturday, Foden made sure he broke his goal duck.
With the games coming thick and fast over the next few weeks, it was brilliant to see the academy graduate reinstate himself with the Etihad faithful.
4. Ndiaye sparkles again
Iliman Ndiaye arrived in the summer from Everton with a reputation for pace and great technical ability, with skills in abundance.
This silky nature was on show against Paris Saint-Germain in the week, and he was definitely one of the home side's brightest sparks as they looked to mount a comeback.
Ndiaye even picked up an assist with a sublime curling ball, allowing Erling Haaland to head home in a lively 45 minutes.
It was therefore brilliant to see him rewarded for this hard work with a start against Ipswich Town in the Premier League.
The Senegal international once again looked exciting on the wing, bringing an assured quality to a side already littered with stars.
Ndiaye added another assist, again to Haaland, and looked every bit the energetic player he was at Everton and a reminder of what a great asset he is to have up front.
5. Refreshed side
One clear positive from Saturday afternoon was the rotation from Enzo Maresca in picking his line-up.
Several of Manchester City's top performers this campaign so far have yet to have much time off with the likes of Enzo Fernandez and Elliot Anderson playing most games.
Maresca decided that the pair, as well as others such as Josko Gvardiol, deserved a rest from the starting XI.
Thankfully, City were able to pick up the win and the three points with the rearranged team on display versus Ipswich Town.
Those who stood in performed well and carried on the momentum of the domestic winning streak despite a spirited showing from the away side, even with some substitute appearances from those mentioned.
With the congested fixture list and around two games a week as City fight on all fronts, a rest for some of the squad's stars was both well deserved and necessary.