08/24/2024 1:03 PM. Updated 08/24/2024 4:53 PM.
He does not forgive anyone. Manchester City overwhelmed and beat 4-1 the Ipswich Town with the help of Norwegian striker Erling Haaland, who He once again stole the spotlight and received recognition at the Etihad Stadium by scoring three goals in the Citizens’ second appearance in the 24/25 Premier League.
It was Savinho’s presentation in his new home. The moment to confirm what he showed at Girona with a higher level of demand. He provides Guardiola with a new asset full of imbalance on the wing. Two flanks that generate tremors when Doku and the Brazilian come together. As prepared to punish the space as to skillfully outflank any rival when the support system fails. Dribbling is highly valued in today’s football and City boast two of the best.
However, the spotlight is always on Haaland. He was grabbed from behind by Greaves on the first opportunity and was prevented from finishing at ease, but the referee did not consider it sufficient to award a penalty. He went from sensing the danger of City from the start to receiving a blow for his carelessness.
The Citizens lacked the intensity to stop Ipswich’s transition after seven minutes. Johnson’s pass into space left one of the heroes of the promotion chase one-on-one. Szmodics finished low past Ederson, who touched the ball with his legs before it flew into the net. It was the first Premier League goal for a team that has had a tougher start, coming up against Liverpool and City.
Manchester City –
Ipswich Town opened the scoring at the Etihad Stadium
There was no time to examine the resistance. It didn’t matter what their defence was doing, as they made mistakes, exhibiting nervousness, fearful exits from the ball against a giant that doesn’t forgive. Not even two minutes had passed since the joy when Savinho punished his marker with speed and was brought down by Davis in the area. Haaland equalised.
Manchester City beat Ipswich Town with a hat-trick from Erling Haaland. (EFE)
It was four minutes of fury that would take down anyone who doesn’t show personality. And the shot on the foot came from an excess of confidence by goalkeeper Muric. He fell asleep with the ball to first step on it and then control it on the right. When he wanted to play it long, Savinho had already stolen his wallet to leave it on a plate for De Bruyne to score at ease.
It took longer to get the ball in between the goals than to score again. De Bruyne saw the movement breaking into the space of the Android, who headed the ball past the goalkeeper’s desperate exit before accurately scoring, left-footed and at an angle, the third. The match ended. It was the 16th minute.
Pep Guardiola’s machinery was starting to go into overdrive with the manager so wrapped up in the game that he entered the pitch when the ball was falling into his area. Ipswich had been overwhelmed by the situation and hoped the game would pass quickly after they had come back. For City, always playing the way De Bruyen wanted, the first act was fun, the second was speculation.
Manchester City beat Ipswich Town with a hat-trick from Erling Haaland. (AP Photo/Dave Thompson)
The dribbling duel began between Savinho and Doku. The crossbar prevented a bigger rout. First, a powerful shot by Rico Lewis, with everything to score in the six-yard box, when he opted for power rather than positioning. Seconds later, a right-footed shot, with a soft landing by De Bruyne.
And when the intensity dropped, when individualism took over from team play, a player appeared for whom nothing is enough. City already lead the Premier League and their top scorer, Haaland, is in the top of the scoring charts. Two were not enough. He looked for him with two shots and a left-footed shot for Doku, until he found him out of nowhere.
Muric had prevented his hat-trick just after the hour mark with the best save of the afternoon. A reaction full of reflexes to Haaland’s header, unmarked, at the far post. He could do nothing two minutes from the end when the Norwegian scored his third goal on his own. From outside the area, receiving the ball with his back turned and within seconds unleashing a shot that was just off the post. 94 goals in 101 games for City.
Manchester City beat Ipswich Town with a hat-trick from Erling Haaland. (Reuters)
