Haaland hits hat-trick as Man City put Ipswich to the sword

Sammie Szmodics had given the visitors a dream start at the Etihad, but order was quickly restored as City struck three times in four minutes through Haaland and Kevin De Bruyne.

The Norwegian then fired in from outside the box late on to complete his seventh Premier League hat-trick in just 68 games. Victory takes City top of the table with a maximum of six points from the opening two games of their title defence.

There was a mood of celebration before kick-off as City marked their fourth consecutive league title and welcomed back former captain Ilkay Gundogan, who took his place on the bench. Yet, the champions were stunned with just seven minutes on the clock.

Ben Johnson's pass split a static City defence and Szmodic's shot had just enough power to beat Ederson to register Ipswich's first top-flight goal in 22 years.

Kieran McKenna's men have been given a baptism of fire by facing Liverpool and City in their opening two matches and the gap in quality between the Championship and Premier League quickly showed.

The lively Savinho won a penalty on his home debut, which was duly converted by Haaland to level. Ipswich goalkeeper Arijanet Muric had a return to the Etihad to forget as he was then caught in possession by Savinho, who teed up De Bruyne to roll into an empty net.

Haaland beat Muric to a sumptuous De Bruyne ball over the top and stroked into the unguarded net. De Bruyne smashed a shot from range off the crossbar as City threatened to run riot. But to Ipswich's credit, they held out for over an hour before Haaland set the seal on another ruthless personal display and three points.

 

August 24, 2024

Tottenham midfielder Yves Bissouma got back in favour with boss Ange Postecoglou as his superb strike inspired a 4-0 rout of Everton in north London. Postecoglou picker Bissouma following a one-game suspension after posting a social media video that showed him inhaling nitrous oxide.

"You know what it's like when you punish your child and they do everything right for the next two days?" Postecoglou had said of Bissouma's return. The Mali international made the most of his reprieve in the 14th minute, lashing home from the edge of the area for his first league goal for Tottenham in his 52nd appearance.

Son Heung-min doubled Tottenham's lead in the 25th minute, forcing Jordan Pickford into an embarrassing mistake as the Everton keeper was robbed by the South Korean for a simple finish.

Cristian Romero headed Tottenham's third in the 71st minute. Son bagged his second with a clinical finish six minutes later. West Ham boss Julen Lopetegui earned the first win of his reign as second-half goals from Tomas Soucek and Jarrod Bowen sealed a 2-0 victory at Crystal Palace.

Alex Iwobi's 70th-minute goal clinched Fulham's 2-1 win against Leicester at Craven Cottage after Emile Smith Rowe's first-half opener for the hosts was cancelled out by Wout Faes.

Nottingham Forest won 1-0 at Southampton thanks to Morgan Gibbs-White's 70th-minute strike. Title contenders Arsenal travel to Aston Villa in Saturday's late game.

 

August 24, 2024