Haaland Scores Twice as Man City Beat Ipswich 3-2 to Stay Perfect

Manchester City beat Ipswich Town 3-2 at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday, October 17, 2026, to make it seven wins from seven in the Premier League. Erling Haaland scored twice and Phil Foden scored once. Ipswich pushed the leaders all the way, levelled within two minutes of the opener, and set up a tense finish with a late penalty.

Foden put City ahead in the 19th minute, finishing a move set up by Jeremy Doku. The lead lasted 155 seconds. Daizen Maeda beat Marc Guehi to a ball in behind, ran clear, and finished past Gianluigi Donnarumma on the counter attack to make it 1-1 in the 21st minute.

Haaland restored the lead in the 34th minute. Mateo Kovacic floated a ball into the box and Haaland powered in a header past Christian Walton. It was the first of two goals for the Norway striker, who now has eight in the league this season.

A frantic finish

City looked to have settled it in the 69th minute. Iliman Ndiaye slipped a pass into Haaland, the touch ran away from him, and he still got there ahead of Abdoul Ouattara and rolled the ball into the corner for 3-1.

Haaland thought he had a hat trick late on when he fired in after Ndiaye hit the crossbar, but the goal was ruled out. A video review found Enzo Fernandez offside in the build up.

Ipswich then won a penalty in the 88th minute. Guehi brought down Abdul Fatawu in the box, the video assistant referee sent the referee to check, and the spot kick was given. Zian Flemming drove the penalty down the middle in the 90th minute to make it 3-2. Twelve minutes of added time followed, and Ipswich pressed, but City held on.

What it means

The win keeps City top and perfect under Enzo Maresca, seven wins from seven league games. It is a strong answer to Wednesday, when City lost 4-2 at home to Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League. City had beaten Liverpool 3-0 on October 11 in their previous league game.

Ipswich leave with no points but plenty of credit. They arrived on nine points after wins over Crystal Palace and Fulham, and they troubled City with pace on the break and a goalkeeper, Walton, who made several strong saves.

City did pick up worries. Kovacic went off injured early in the second half, and Matheus Nunes later limped off holding his thigh.

The afternoon played out in front of thousands of inflatable bananas in the home stands. City fans have taken up the banana as a symbol while the club appeals after an independent commission found it guilty of more than 100 breaches of league financial rules. On the pitch, at least, the team keeps winning.