Manchester City delivered six devastating blows to Ipswich as they reached the top four with a dominant 6-0 win at Portman Road.
City started proceedings in eighth place and needed a three-goal margin to move into the top four. Luckily for Pep Guardiola, Phil Foden was there to lay the foundation and ensure they finished fourth at the break.
Foden opened the scoring just before the half hour mark and shot in from close range. Just three minutes later (30) Foden was back in and around the penalty area, allowing Mateo Kovacic to fire in City's second.
A third goal on the brink of half-time almost secured all three points, but in vintage greedy fashion. City weren't done there yet.
After the break, Ipswich crumbled further as Jeremy Doku danced through the Tractor Boys defense to add a fourth. Erling Haaland, who scored a hat-trick in the reverse fixture in September, was on the edge of the goalmouth action after missing an early chance to open the scoring. However, that didn't last long as he got in on the action and punished a Jack Clarke mistake by firing home a fifth goal, days after securing his long-term future at City.
James McAtee was introduced as it looked like City would rest players for their Champions League trip to Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday. McAtee replaced Kevin de Bruyne, but took the opportunity to score a goal himself.
The final whistle couldn't come soon enough for Kieran McKenna's men, who chased shadows for the final ten minutes of the match. Defeat for Ipswich will keep them in the bottom three.
Foden: The team is bonding better
Phil Foden speaks to Sky Sports:
“Probably the best this season, in terms of all-round play. One of our best performances this year. We are building momentum, it is important to keep players fit. I put it down to people being in better shape and that the team bonds better.” .
“When we score, we don't rush. We keep possession and build-up play was important today.
'I learned everything from it [poor spell of form]. It's good to see me scoring goals again with a smile on my face and enjoying football. I want to go ahead and add to that. You never know what could happen. The goal is to stay in the top four.”
Guardiola: We were better, not at our best, but close
Man City boss Pep Guardiola talks to Sky Sports:
“We are very happy, we are back to doing things that have defined this team for the last ten years. We are very happy with the three points and the qualification for the Champions League for next season, which will be so difficult. “
“We were much better. Maybe not our best, but better because of the consistency we have in our play. Most of that didn't happen in the previous games we won.
“With the way we went without the ball, you can't play in the short spaces. Everyone with the ball was smart, faster, quicker. Everyone is related. You can't be fast, wise and good if you're not connected defensively. “
“Ipswich beat Chelsea here, they beat Spurs away. They're a good team and Liam [Delap] is a fantastic striker. The players saw what we are and that's the best.”
Six of the best finished fourth
Comments