Manchester City topped the Premier League after defeating Ipswich 3-2, with Erling Haaland scoring two goals. On the same Sunday, Liverpool managed to bounce back and won against Brentford 2-1.
Despite an impressive start to the season, Manchester City has faced serious off-field problems, as the club was found to have violated over 100 Premier League financial regulations. Nevertheless, the team showed an ideal start on the pitch, winning seven consecutive matches, which is the best start in the club's history.
City, which disputes the finding, calling it a 'Premier League conspiracy,' leads champions Arsenal by six points. Arsenal has a chance to close the gap by beating Nottingham Forest on Sunday.
If City's appeal fails, the club could face a large point deduction or even relegation from the top division, casting doubt on the significance of their results by the end of the season. However, for now, Enzo Maresca's team is in good form following the loss to Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League.
The atmosphere at the Etihad Stadium was charged: City fans began whistling before the match, and thousands waved inflatable bananas, demonstrating their commitment to the club despite current difficulties. These novelty bananas first appeared at matches supporting the team in the late 1980s when it was struggling.
City fans jokingly cheered their opponents from Ipswich with the song 'you're down with the City.' Phil Foden opened the scoring for Maresca's team in the 19th minute after a sharp turn and attack concluded, provoked by a penetrating play from Jeremy Dukou, who broke through the Ipswich defense. Foden's first goal of the season was scored, after which Ipswich equalized in the 21st minute when Daisen Maeda bypassed Marc Guehi and sent the ball into the net.
Haaland restored City's advantage in the 34th minute, heading home a precise pass from Mateo Kovacic. In the 69th minute, Haaland finished the attack against Ipswich, accelerating onto a pass from Iliman Ndiaye and shooting past Ipswich goalkeeper Christian Walton. This was the Norwegian striker's twelfth goal in his last eight matches for City.
A penalty by Jayn Fleming in the 90th minute, awarded for a foul by Guehi, created a tense finish, but City managed to hold onto their lead.