Man City player ratings vs Ipswich Town: Hat-trick hero Erling Haaland feasts as Kevin De Bruyne and Savinho run riot in cruise for the champions
Getty The Norwegian grabbed his seventh Premier League treble in a convincing victory despite an early shock
Fantasy Football managers were licking their lips at the prospect of Erling Haaland facing newly-promoted Ipswich in Manchester City's first home game of the season, and they had every right to be excited.
The Norwegian bagged a hat-trick as the champions monstered the Premier League new boys 4-1 but the performances of Kevin De Bruyne and Savinho were equally impressive in what was a hugely enjoyable afternoon for Pep Guardiola's side, save for an early shock.
That came in just the seventh minute when Ipswich crafted a clever breakaway move and Sammie Szmodics put the ball through Ederson's legs, sending the travelling Tractor Boys (and girls) into raptures. But the joy of the visitors, who were playing City for the first time in the league since the 2000-01 season, did not last long.
The electric Savinho earned a penalty, given via VAR, which Haaland duly slammed home. Savinho then pressured the hapless Ipswich goalkeeper Arijanet Muric into an error and Kevin De Bruyne took advantage.
De Bruyne, who also smashed the bar with a sizzling strike from well outside the area, then laid on a pass for Haaland to score from a tight angle. City had gone from 1-0 down to 3-1 up in just 193 seconds.
The second half was a stroll and Ilkay Gundogan made his first appearance back in a City shirt since completing his return to the club.
But what everyone wanted to see was Haaland complete his hat-trick and he finally did so with by arrowing home from outside the area. It was his seventh Premier League hat-trick and he's only started his third season. There will be plenty more to come.
GOAL rates Man Citys players from the Etihad Stadium…
