Erling Braut Haaland scored twice as Manchester City defeated Ipswich on Saturday, extending their unbeaten run in the Premier League this season to seven straight wins, according to NRK. The Norwegian striker now has eight league goals for the campaign. The match also brought an injury concern, with Haaland appearing to take a knock late on.
Phil Foden put City ahead before Daizen Maeda equalised two minutes later. From there, the afternoon belonged largely to Haaland, who restored City's lead in the 34th minute after good build-up play and a cross from Mateo Kovacic.
Why it matters
City's perfect league record stands in sharp contrast to a turbulent period for the club. NRK reports that City were found guilty of all charges relating to serious breaches of the league's financial regulations. On Wednesday they also suffered a heavy 4–2 Champions League defeat to Paris Saint-Germain.
Against that backdrop, the win over Ipswich kept City's domestic form intact. But the match raised questions about how heavily the club is relying on one striker, and what that workload may be costing them.
Haaland's second and a disallowed third
Haaland struck again in the 69th minute, muscling past Abdoul Ouattara before firing into the net. Five minutes before full time he appeared to have completed his hat-trick with a fine finish, but VAR ruled that Enzo Fernández had been offside in the build-up.
Ipswich then pulled level in the final minute of normal time. Marc Guéhi brought down Abdul Fatawu inside the penalty area, and Zian Flemming converted the spot kick.
Injury scare draws criticism over workload
Haaland was hurt in a challenge that Viaplay pundit Pål Andre Helland described as a studs-first contact to the top of the foot. "It looks like he simply stamps down and hits under the studs. It's very painful on the instep. Hopefully no small bones are broken," Helland said in the broadcaster's studio, as reported by NRK.
City manager Enzo Maresca told Manchester Evening News after the match that he had checked with the player. "I asked him and he said he was OK, so we hope it's nothing serious," Maresca said.
Fellow Viaplay pundit Lars Tjærnås questioned why Haaland was still on the pitch so late in the game. "Erling Braut Haaland should not be playing a hundred minutes against Ipswich, and that is the whole problem. His total load becomes too great," Tjærnås said. He placed responsibility with the club, noting City have only one recognised senior striker and feel compelled to use him even against opponents like Ipswich. Tjærnås added that Haaland starts and finishes most games for both club and country, meaning two matches a week, every week.
The result leaves City with three more points and Haaland's fitness as the main question ahead of their next fixture.
