Premier League leaders Manchester City earned a seventh straight win by beating Ipswich Town 3-2 as their on-pitch resistance showed no signs of slowing.

Banana-crazed fans, a tradition that started in the 1980s, made for a playful atmosphere, and City's players responded with another demonstration of dogged defiance to move six points clear at the top. Their focus on winning football matches despite the huge scrutiny the club is under cannot be questioned.

Pep Guardiola was the guest of honour when PSG visited in the week. On Saturday, it was former director Txiki Begiristain, who oversaw an unprecedented period of domestic dominance during his time at the Etihad. City are maintaining a united front wherever possible.

Erling Haaland was insatiable again, scoring once in each half to take his seasonal tally to 12. He's scored four just this week - and is now the fastest of any player in Premier League history to reach 100 non-penalty goals. VAR also denied him a hat-trick late on.

Erling Haaland celebrates after restoring Man City's lead against Ipswich

Image: Erling Haaland celebrates after restoring Man City's lead against Ipswich

It was the forgotten Phil Foden - starting for the first time since being sent off at Manchester United - who opened the scoring, benefitting from Jeremy Doku's trickery to beat Christian Walton with a guided low finish. Daizen Maeda had Ipswich level within 155 seconds of Foden's strike.

Erling Haaland heads Man City into a 2-1 lead against Ipswich

Image: Erling Haaland heads Man City into a 2-1 lead against Ipswich

The visitors had no answer for Haaland, though. Mateo Kovacic teed up an easy first for the striker to head home and Iliman Ndiaye slid him through for a well-taken second. City were cruising, but a jittery finish has become customary at the Etihad and after Zian Flemming made the scoreline 3-2 from the penalty spot, nerves jangled.

But it would seem that nothing was going to stand in the way of Enzo Maresca becoming the first manager to win his first seven Premier League games in charge of a new club. With City fighting against the re-write of their recent history, that is one achievement that cannot be stripped away.


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