Manchester City returned to their imperious best with a 6-0 thrashing of Ipswich Town at Portman Road, their biggest Premier League win of the season. The reigning champions, who have endured a shaky campaign, delivered a resounding statement of intent, climbing back into the top four. Phil Foden, Mateo Kovacic, and Jeremy Doku were the driving forces behind a scintillating display that left the home side stunned.
City wasted no time asserting their dominance, racing to a 3-0 lead before half-time. Foden opened the scoring in the 27th minute with a sublime finish from Kevin De Bruyne’s pinpoint cross. Mateo Kovacic doubled the lead just three minutes later with a powerful strike from the edge of the box, assisted by Foden. De Bruyne then set up Foden for his second goal, a low shot that evaded Ipswich goalkeeper Christian Walton, ensuring City took an unassailable lead into the break.
The visitors showed no signs of relenting after the interval, as Jeremy Doku made it 4-0 with a deflected effort just minutes into the second half. Erling Haaland, fresh off signing a new long-term contract, capitalised on a defensive error to net City’s fifth goal. James McAtee, coming off the bench, completed the rout with a looping header from Kovacic’s cross, underlining the depth of talent in Pep Guardiola’s squad.
Phil Foden was at the heart of City’s revival, scoring twice and assisting another in a performance reminiscent of his peak form. De Bruyne, returning to fitness after a challenging start to the season, showcased his playmaking brilliance with two assists. Their combination provided the creative spark City had been missing during their midseason slump, reigniting hopes of a sustained climb up the table.
For Ipswich Town, this was a humbling encounter. Striker Liam Delap, facing his former club, was unable to make an impact against Ruben Dias and City’s solid defensive line. Ipswich rarely threatened Ederson’s goal, leaving them rooted in the relegation zone. Manager Kieran McKenna now faces the daunting task of rallying his side ahead of a challenging trip to league leaders Liverpool.
