By Samuel A. January 19, 2025
Manchester City climbed into the top four with a cruising 6-0 victory at Portman Road against Ipswich. They began the game in eighth place, with a test of getting at least a three goal difference to get into the top four, which they passed even before halftime. Foden opened the scoring, just before the half an hour mark, firing home from close range. Three minutes later, Foden set up Mateo Kovacic to fire in City’s second.
A third goal on the brink of halftime from the bright youngster, who has sparked back into life after an underwhelming first half of the season, all but ensured all three points, but City were not done. After the break, Ipswich further crumbled when Jeremy Doku danced through the defence to add a fourth. Erling Haaland guided home a fifth goal for the club, days after committing his long-term future at City. James McAtee, who replaced Kevin de Bruyne, used his opportunity to get a goal as well.
The final whistle couldn’t come soon enough for Kieran McKenna’s men who were chasing shadows for the final 10 minutes of the game, and the defeat for Ipswich keeps them in the bottom three.
Man City boss Pep Guardiola speaking to the media after the game said: “We are really pleased, we are back to doing things that define this team for the last 10 years. Really pleased for the three points and to climb into qualification for the Champions League for next season, that will be so tough. We were much better. Maybe not our best but closer with the consistency we have in our game. Most of them didn’t happen in the previous games that we won. With the way we went without the ball, you cannot play in the short spaces. Everyone with the ball was clever, quicker, faster. Everyone is related. You cannot be quick, wise and good if you are not connected defensively”.
“Ipswich beat Chelsea here, they won Spurs away. They are a good team and Liam Delap is a fantastic striker. The players saw what we are and that is the best thing.”
