The Norwegian grabbed his seventh Premier League treble in what was eventually a routine win after Pep Guardiola's side fell behind early
Fantasy Premier League managers were licking their lips at the prospect of Erling Haaland facing newly-promoted Ipswich Town in Manchester City's first home game of the season on Saturday, and they had every right to be excited.
The Norwegian bagged a hat-trick as the champions monstered the top-flight new boys 4-1, but the performances of Kevin De Bruyne and Savinho were equally impressive in what was a hugely enjoyable afternoon for Pep Guardiola's side, save for an early shock.
That came in just the seventh minute when Ipswich crafted a clever breakaway move and Sammie Szmodics put the ball through Ederson's legs, sending the travelling Tractor Boys (and girls) into raptures. But the joy of the visitors, who were playing City for the first time in the league since the 2000-01 season, did not last long.
The electric Savinho soon earned a penalty, given via VAR, which Haaland duly slammed home. The Brazil winger then pressured hapless Ipswich goalkeeper Arijanet Muric into an error and De Bruyne took advantage.
De Bruyne, who later smashed the bar with a sizzling strike from well outside the area, then laid on a pass for Haaland to score from a tight angle, meaning City had gone from 1-0 down to 3-1 up in just 193 seconds.
The second half was a stroll as Ilkay Gundogan made his first appearance back in a City shirt since completing his return to the club from Barcelona. But what everyone wanted to see was Haaland complete his hat-trick, and he finally did so with by arrowing home a shot from outside the area late on. for what is already his seventh Premier League treble. There will be plenty more to come.
GOAL rates City's players from the Etihad Stadium…
Getty ImagesGoalkeeper & Defence
Ederson (5/10):
Let Szmodics' shot through his legs too easily.
Rico Lewis (7/10):
Played the hybrid full-back/midfielder role to perfection, but should have scored when he smashed against the bar.
Manuel Akanji (5/10):
Lost track of Szmodics for the goal. Otherwise was assured.
Ruben Dias (6/10):
A commanding presence and also supplied plenty of useful passes into attack.
Josko Gvardiol (6/10):
Focused on defending, which he did well, and let the experts do the attacking.
AdvertisementGetty ImagesMidfield
Bernardo Silva (6/10):
Didn't directly contribute to the win but engineered a lot of the build-up play.
Mateo Kovacic (6/10):
Very tidy in possession and out of it. A shame to see him forced off injured early in the second half.
Kevin De Bruyne (8/10):
One of those games where nearly everything he touched turned to gold. A goal, assist and a near-worldie when he clanged the bar.
Getty ImagesAttack
Jeremy Doku (6/10):
Lively but the occasional heavy touch let him down. Upstaged somewhat by the man on the other flank.
Erling Haaland (8/10):
His second goal was him at his clinical best. Finally got his hat-trick with a deadly strike from outside the area. He now has as many Premier League trebles as Wayne Rooney, who played for 16 seasons.
Savinho (8/10):
Ipswich just couldn't live with his trickery and relentless energy. Won the penalty, robbed Muric for De Bruyne's goal and dragged Davis all over the place. All that was missing was a goal.
Getty ImagesSubs & Manager
John Stones (6/10):
Looked at home in midfield after replacing Kovacic.
Jack Grealish (5/10):
Things didn't quick click for him and was booked at the end for diving.
Ilkay Gundogan (5/10):
Got a hero's welcome when he came on but didn't do loads in his 21 minutes on the pitch.
James McAtee (N/A):
Brought on in added time.
Matheus Nunes (N/A):
On in stoppage time.
Pep Guardiola (6/10):
A very comfortable afternoon for the coach, save for the shock early goal and the Kovacic injury. And this was without Phil Foden, Kyle Walker and Rodri…
