New Delhi: We might just be starting to look at the glimpses of the usual Manchester City who were just ruthless against relegation threatened Ipswich Town. Pep Guardiola’s side were three goals up already in the first half and Ipswich simply had no answer to their travelling rivals. The match started off rather slowly but it didn’t take the champions to create their first real chance of the game when Erling Haaland pulled Ipswich keeper off his line after Kovacic’s sharp ball between Burgess and O’Shea put him in the penalty area. He then fired a solid left-footed shot that Walton blocks with two strong hands.
Ipswich had their golden chance to open the scoring when a smart free-kick was taken short as Leif Davis played it to Omari Hutchinson at the edge of the box and he fired his shot over the cross-bar. Just three minutes later, Manchester City captain Kevin De Bruyne dug out a cross for Foden, who emerged at the end to control the ball and nestle a swivel shot under Walton’s hand to open the scoring for City. Three minutes later, Foden was involved yet again when he managed to pass the ball to an unmarked Mateo Kovacic, who sprinted onto it, taking a first time shot and beating Walton to make it 2-0.
After exposing the gap between Godfrey and Johnson, Doku passed the ball through the lines to De Bruyne, who then centered it to Foden inside the six-yard box. The attacker secured a first-half brace for himself with his first touch, beating Walton from close range to increase Manchester City’s lead to 3-0. The English forward has been on a run and he doesn’t seem like he’s going to stop at this point with a second consecutive brace to his name.
Equally punishing second half from City
Man City hit Ipswich for six!#IPSMCI pic.twitter.com/duuBUWm9rG
— Premier League (@premierleague) January 19, 2025
Just three minutes after the restart, Manchester City found themselves leading 4-0, when Doku gained control before slipping past Godfrey and Cajuste to curl a shot toward the far corner from the left flank, as the ball took a deflection off O’Shea’s foot and found the back of the net. It already seemed like game over for the hosts Ipswich, but there was more to come from the Sky Blues. This time, Doku was involved yet again but as a provider when he pounced on Clarke’s lacking pass and eventually played it towards progressing Haaland, who slotted it home to mark a five star performance for Manchester City.
Ipswich’s night got worse when the young substitute James McAtee also got his first ever Premier League goal after Kovacic played it towards him. He then managed to head it over helpless Walton, to find the net and make it 6-0. Ipswich supporters were trying their best to keep their spirits high and ensure that they get a consolation goal, but unfortunately for them, it didn’t happen. The final whistle blew, the match ended and so did the hosts’ dreadful night as they lost their 12th game of the season and now sitting 18th, while the champions leaped into the top four.
Player of the match: Phil Foden
Phil Foden’s brace has inspired @ManCity to a 3️⃣-0️⃣ half-time lead against Ipswich!#IPSMCI pic.twitter.com/eszjzHrVl0
— Premier League (@premierleague) January 19, 2025
This has been a road to redemption for the 2023/24 player of the season, Phil Foden as he scored his second consecutive brace. He was just too good and showed eeryone why he is considered as one of the best Premier League players. His movement on and off the ball was extremely affective as he got into better goalscoring areas. He also managed to provide the second goal to Mateo Kovacic, who scored from the edge of the box to make it 2-0.
There were other cnadidates such as Jeremy Doku, who was heavily involved in almost every goal that City scored tonight and also Kevin De Bruyne who was everywhere on thepitch tonight. However, it was yet another great night for Foden, who was the player of the match and he will be looking to add to his tally in the next few games as now he has eight goal contributions to his name in the league.
Manchester City have absolutely thrashed Ipswich Town at Portman Road, with Phil Foden starring the show. This win takes them to fourth position as Ipswich stay 18th in the table. Football Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
