Haaland double helps Manchester City maintain perfect Premier League start

Erling Haaland scored twice as Manchester City beat Ipswich Town 3–2 to extend their lead at the top of the Premier League, while Liverpool came from behind to defeat Brentford 2–1 on Saturday.

City have won all seven of their league matches this season, their best start to a Premier League campaign. They are six points clear of champions Arsenal, who can reduce the gap by winning at Nottingham Forest on Sunday.

The result came as City remain embroiled in an off-field dispute after being found guilty of more than 100 breaches of Premier League financial rules. The club have appealed against the verdict, describing the case as a “Premier League conspiracy”.

If the appeal fails, City could face a substantial points deduction or even expulsion from the top flight, meaning the importance of their results may ultimately depend on the outcome of the case.

A defiant atmosphere greeted the team at Etihad Stadium. Supporters booed the Premier League anthem before kick-off and waved inflatable bananas, recalling the toys taken to matches during the late 1980s when the club was struggling.

City fans also taunted their Ipswich counterparts by singing “you’re down with the City”.

Phil Foden opened the scoring in the 19th minute, turning sharply before finishing after Jeremy Doku’s run had opened up the Ipswich defence. Daizen Maeda equalised two minutes later, escaping Marc Guehi before finding the net.

Haaland restored the hosts’ advantage in the 34th minute with a precise header from Mateo Kovacic’s cross. He added a second in the 69th minute, reaching Iliman Ndiaye’s pass and guiding his shot beyond Christian Walton.

The Norway striker has now scored 12 goals in his past eight appearances for City. Zian Flemming’s 90th-minute penalty, awarded after a foul by Guehi, created a tense finish but City held on.

Liverpool recover at Brentford

Liverpool were trailing at Brentford after Keane Lewis-Potter headed Igor Thiago’s cross over Alisson Becker in the 44th minute.

Brentford were reduced to 10 players in first-half stoppage time when Yehor Yarmolyuk’s head made contact with Jeremie Jacquet’s face as the teams waited for a corner.

Liverpool also lost Dominik Szoboszlai and Jeremie Frimpong to injury, but took advantage of the extra player when Victor Munoz cut inside and calmly equalised in the 62nd minute against former Liverpool goalkeeper Caoimhn Kelleher.

Alexander Isak completed the comeback eight minutes later, firing in after Barcola had set him up. It was the Sweden striker’s fifth goal of the season.

Brentford finished with nine players after Vitaly Janelt was shown a second yellow card in stoppage time. Liverpool, beaten by City in their previous league match, climbed to fifth and handed Brentford their first league defeat of the campaign.

Chelsea and Fulham claim wins

Pedro Neto scored twice as Chelsea beat Everton 2–0 at Hill Dickinson Stadium, condemning Everton to their first defeat of the season.

Neto struck shortly after half-time and sealed victory in stoppage time. Goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez was taken to hospital after a serious head clash with Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite.

At Craven Cottage, Alex Iwobi’s 33rd-minute goal gave Fulham a first league win of the season, a 1–0 victory over Hull.

Alvaro Arbeloa’s side moved out of the relegation zone despite Ryan Sessegnon being sent off late on for a dangerous challenge on Robinho Vaz.

Newcastle host Aston Villa in Saturday’s late game.