Manchester City cruised to a 4-1 victory over newly-promoted Ipswich Town at the Etihad Stadium, with Erling Haaland scoring a hat-trick to lead the defending champions to a convincing win.
Ipswich had a dream start, with Sammie Szmodics scoring on his full debut just seven minutes into the game. However, their joy was short-lived as Manchester City responded with three goals in four minutes to take control of the game.
Haaland equalized with a well-taken penalty, followed by goals from Kevin De Bruyne and Haaland again, making it 3-1 after just 16 minutes. Manchester City continued to dominate, hitting the woodwork twice and denying Ipswich a strong penalty claim.
The second half saw the return of Ilkay Gundogan, who completed his move back to Manchester City on a one-year deal on Friday. Haaland completed his hat-trick with a low drive from distance late in the game, sealing the win for Manchester City.
Haaland’s hat-trick was the highlight of the game, showcasing his clinical finishing and cementing Manchester City’s position as title contenders. Ipswich, on the other hand, were left to rue their missed opportunities and confront the harsh realities of life in the Premier League.
