MANCHESTER: Erling Haaland struck a hat-trick as Manchester City bounced back from conceding a shock opening goal to beat newly-promoted Ipswich 4-1 on Saturday.
Sammie Szmodics had given the visitors a dream start at the Etihad, but order was quickly restored as City struck three times in four minutes through Haaland and Kevin De Bruyne.
The Norwegian then fired in from outside the box late on to complete his seventh Premier League hat-trick in just 68 games.
Victory takes City top of the table with a maximum six points from the opening two games of their title defense.
There was a mood of celebration before kick-off as City marked their fourth consecutive league title and welcomed back former captain Ilkay Gundogan, who took his place on the bench.
Yet, the champions were stunned with just seven minutes on the clock.
Ben Johnson’s pass split a static City defense and Szmodics shot had just enough power to beat Ederson to register Ipswich’s first top-flight goal in 22 years.
Kieran McKenna’s men have been given a baptism of fire by facing Liverpool and City in their opening two matches and the gap in quality between the Championship and Premier League quickly showed.
The lively Savinho won a penalty on his home debut, which was duly converted by Haaland to level.
Ipswich goalkeeper Arijanet Muric had a return to the Etihad to forget as he was then caught in possession by Savinho, who teed up De Bruyne to roll into an empty net.
Haaland beat Muric to a sumptuous De Bruyne ball over the top and stroked into the unguarded net.
De Bruyne smashed a shot from range off the crossbar as City threatened to run riot.
But to Ipswich’s credit they held out for over an hour before Haaland set the seal on another ruthless personal display and three points.
Erling Haaland hits hat-trick as Manchester City put Ipswich to the sword
https://arab.news/57jxv
Erling Haaland hits hat-trick as Manchester City put Ipswich to the sword
- Szmodics shot had just enough power to beat Ederson to register Ipswich’s first top-flight goal in 22 years for a shock opener
- City bounced back and asserted dominance afterward
Carlos Alcaraz joins other tennis stars in first-ever tennis event at Marlins’ loanDepot Park
- It was a one-time event — the first time tennis has ever been played at loanDepot Park — and also featured rising Brazilian standout Joao Fonseca and women’s stars Amanda Anisimova and Jessica Pegula
- Alcaraz: I’m having a lot of fun. Getting the energy from the people, playing in some places that we are not used to. It’s exciting
MIAMI: Carlos Alcaraz wanted to play in front of an energetic crowd at the inaugural Miami Invitational.
The No. 1 men’s tennis player got his wish, drawing a roar of applause when he stepped onto the court and electric cheers throughout an exhibition event Monday night at loanDepot Park, the home of Major League Baseball’s Miami Marlins.
It was a one-time event — the first time tennis has ever been played at loanDepot Park — and also featured rising Brazilian standout Joao Fonseca and women’s stars Amanda Anisimova and Jessica Pegula.
Alcaraz defeated the 24th-ranked Fonseca 7-5, 2-6, 10-8 in a thrilling singles match, their first time facing each other. Anisimova topped Pegula 6-2, 7-5 earlier in the night. Alcaraz and Pegula also beat Anisimova and Fonseca in a mixed doubles 10-point tie breaker.
“I just expect that the people are going to get entertained by watching us play,” Alcaraz said before the match. “I think it’s unusual watching us play in these kinds of stadiums and court. I’m really excited about playing here with Joao. I’m just excited to see how people are going to respond.”
The 22-year-old Alcaraz recently wrapped up the 2025 season, ending the campaign with the ATP’s year-end No. 1 ranking, tour-highs of 71 match wins and eight trophies and a pair of Grand Slam titles that lifted his career total to six.
He’s still been busy during the exhibition season, which also included an exhibition event in Newark, New Jersey, on Sunday in which Alcaraz played a singles match against two-time US Open semifinalist Frances Tiafoe.
“I’m having a lot of fun,” Alcaraz said. “Getting the energy from the people, playing in some places that we are not used to. It’s exciting. It’s been great so far, and I’m enjoying it a lot.”
The crowd Monday included Inter Miami stars Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba, who became MLS champions just a couple days ago in the final match of their decorated careers.
Anisimova, a US Open and Wimbledon finalist this year, and Pegula, who reached the US Open semis, both noted that Monday’s exhibition was a great way to prepare for the upcoming season in a new environment.
“I think we love playing tennis and we love competing,” Pegula said. “Being able to change what that looks like a little bit where it’s not something we do 95 percent of the year is always really nice and refreshing for us. I think it’s great for the sport. It gives it a diff look for the fans, for everyone that’s involved. For players, it kind of keeps us refreshed and kind of brings you back to why you’re playing.”
