Manchester City dismantled Ipswich Town with a dominant 6-0 victory at Portman Road, securing a crucial win that propelled them into fourth place in the Premier League, level on points with Newcastle United.
Phil Foden was central to City’s attacking play, contributing to three of the six goals. His assist for Mateo Kovacic was sandwiched between two close-range strikes, both set up by Kevin De Bruyne. The second half saw further goals from Jeremy Doku, Erling Haaland, and James McAtee, as Pep Guardiola’s side extended their commanding lead.
The result lifts City into the final UEFA Champions League spot, while Ipswich remain in 18th place.
Match Summary
The hosts started brightly but failed to test City’s goalkeeper Ederson. In the 27th minute, Foden opened the scoring, turning in De Bruyne’s deflected cross. Three minutes later, Kovacic doubled City’s lead, converting Foden’s assist with a low strike into the bottom corner.
City’s dominance continued before half-time, as Foden scored his second goal of the match after another assist from De Bruyne, taking advantage of a slip by Ipswich goalkeeper Christian Walton.
After the break, City added further goals. Doku capitalised on a poor pass from Ipswich’s Jack Clarke, with his strike deflecting off Dara O’Shea. Haaland then scored his 17th league goal of the season, before McAtee sealed the win with a header from Kovacic’s cross.
Ipswich Struggle Against City’s Quality
Ipswich had their moments early on, with Omari Hutchinson and Ben Johnson both coming close to testing Ederson. However, City quickly took control, and the quality gap was evident when Doku extended City’s lead with a swift counter-attack. Ipswich failed to respond, and City, with a commanding lead, made changes as the game wore on.
Despite the defeat, Ipswich saw debut performances from new signings Godfrey and Jaden Philogene, offering some hope for the future.
Foden Shines in New Year Form
Phil Foden’s resurgence continued into 2025, as he played a pivotal role in City’s dominant performance. Having impressed in the final months of 2023, Foden has once again showcased his ability to deliver key contributions for Guardiola’s side.
Guardiola rotated his squad during the second half, with Foden, De Bruyne, and Haaland all withdrawn with one eye on the upcoming Champions League clash with Paris Saint-Germain.
Manchester City’s Upcoming Fixtures and Season Outlook
Following the win over Ipswich, Manchester City’s next challenge is a high-profile match against Paris Saint-Germain in the UEFA Champions League. With the second leg of the knockout stages approaching, Guardiola’s side will be looking to maintain their momentum in Europe, where they have been a dominant force in recent seasons.
In the Premier League, City will face tough domestic fixtures, including a crucial home game against Arsenal, where they will look to close the gap on the league leaders. Following that, City will take on Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, with the Blues in a rebuilding phase under new management.
As the season progresses, Manchester City will also be aiming for a deep run in the FA Cup and Carabao Cup, with Guardiola balancing multiple competitions. Their form in the Premier League has been impressive since the start of the new year, and they will be aiming to push for the top spot as the season heads into its final months.
Interesting Facts About Manchester City’s 2024/25 Campaign
- Erling Haaland continues to be a key figure for City, with his 17th goal of the season bringing his total tally to an impressive 55 goals in 60 league appearances since joining the club.
- Foden’s form has been a major talking point this season, with the England international scoring 8 goals and providing 12 assists in his last 15 appearances across all competitions.
- City’s defence has been resolute, conceding just 12 goals in 22 league games so far, the best defensive record in the Premier League.
- Guardiola’s side have been unbeaten in their last 9 league matches, showing their strong form heading into the business end of the season.
Manager Reactions
Ipswich boss Kieran McKenna admitted the gulf in quality between the two sides was too much to overcome: “Painful game for us. Beaten by a world-class side and they were too good for us. Positives the early parts of the game, but after the first goal they hit top form and top confidence – we weren’t able to find a response.”
City manager Pep Guardiola reflected on his side’s recent form: “Long time it didn’t happen. We have got some good results lately. The players realised where we were, our standards lacked because it’s not just winning titles, it is the joy to do your best.”
Looking Ahead
The result sees Manchester City move up to fourth, ahead of Newcastle United on goal difference. Ipswich, meanwhile, face a tough challenge ahead, with a trip to Anfield to take on Premier League leaders Liverpool next, before returning home to face Southampton at Portman Road.
With City targeting silverware in multiple competitions, their upcoming fixtures against top-tier teams will be crucial in shaping the rest of their season.
