Manchester City returned to winning ways in emphatic fashion, thrashing Ipswich Town 6-0 at Portman Road on Sunday.
The dominant victory propelled Pep Guardiola’s team back into the Premier League’s top four.
Phil Foden struck twice, bookending a stunning Mateo Kovacic goal as City dismantled their hosts with three goals in the first half.
After the break, Jeremy Doku, Erling Haaland, and James McAtee added to the tally, completing City’s biggest league victory of the season.
The reigning champions have now secured three wins from their last four league outings, signaling a resurgence after their lackluster start to the campaign.
Guardiola’s side, however, face a challenging schedule ahead, with a crucial Champions League clash against Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday and pivotal Premier League encounters with Chelsea and Arsenal looming.
Despite the commanding performance, City’s title hopes remain slim as they trail leaders Liverpool by 12 points.
Guardiola, however, is focused on restoring the team’s pride and rebuilding a squad that has struggled for consistency this season.
Haaland, who has scored an incredible 112 goals in just 127 matches for City, recently signed a contract extension keeping him at the club until 2034. Meanwhile, Kyle Walker’s future remains uncertain, with reports linking the England defender to AC Milan.
Making their first trip to Portman Road in 23 years, City showcased their potent attacking prowess, reminding the league of their formidable capabilities.
A Dominant Display
City started on the front foot, with Haaland nearly breaking the deadlock early on after Mateo Kovacic’s incisive pass split Ipswich’s defense.
However, Christian Walton denied the Norwegian striker with a smart save.
Kovacic also went close, blasting over the bar after another fluid move from City.
Ipswich had a brief moment of promise when Omari Hutchinson’s powerful shot deflected off Haaland and narrowly missed the target.
City’s breakthrough came in the 27th minute. Doku and Kevin De Bruyne combined to create an opening for Foden, who made no mistake from close range.
Three minutes later, Foden turned provider, setting up Kovacic for a stunning low strike from the edge of the area, doubling City’s lead.
Before halftime, City added a third. Doku released De Bruyne, whose cut-back found Foden for a clinical finish, Walton unable to keep it out.
The England international’s fifth goal in four matches underlined his impressive form.
City have now scored 25 first-half goals in 22 games, the highest in the Premier League this season.
Second-Half Rout
Ipswich had no answer to City’s relentless attacking. Four minutes after the restart, Doku weaved through the defense and fired home, his shot deflecting off Dara O’Shea and beating Walton.
Haaland, who scored a hat-trick against Ipswich in August, got his goal in the 57th minute. Jack Clarke’s mistake allowed Doku to set up the striker, who finished clinically for his 22nd goal in all competitions this season.
Substitute McAtee completed the rout in the 69th minute, lofting a header over Walton after Kovacic provided a precise cross.
The comprehensive victory underscored City’s potential to dominate on their day, offering a glimpse of the form that secured them four consecutive league titles.
