Enzo Maresca Makes Premier League History as Manchester City Beat Ipswich 3-2

Manchester City maintained their perfect start to the Premier League season on Saturday as Enzo Maresca’s side defeated Ipswich Town 3-2 at the Etihad Stadium, a result that pushed the Italian manager into the competition’s history books.

Maresca became the first manager in Premier League history to win each of his opening seven league matches in charge of a club. The achievement came on a demanding afternoon for City, who had to withstand a determined Ipswich side and a tense finish before securing all three points.

The victory moved City to 21 points from seven matches and kept them at the top of the table with a 100 per cent record. It also matched the club’s best-ever winning start to a league campaign, a mark that dates back to 1897/98.

Maresca’s record-breaking beginning has been remarkable considering the pressure attached to taking charge of one of England’s biggest clubs. Rather than allowing expectations to overwhelm his team, he has overseen a run that has combined results with a growing sense of control and confidence.

The Italian had already guided City to six consecutive league victories before Ipswich arrived at the Etihad. The seventh win completed a historic sequence and gave Maresca a record no previous Premier League manager had achieved at the start of a managerial spell.

Saturday’s game was far from straightforward, however.

City started brightly and eventually found the breakthrough in the 19th minute. Phil Foden returned to the starting lineup and marked the occasion with a composed finish after Jérémy Doku’s low delivery found him inside the area.

Ipswich responded almost immediately. Daizen Maeda levelled just two minutes later after getting beyond Marc Guéhi and finishing low beyond Gianluigi Donnarumma.

The equaliser ensured City could not settle into a comfortable rhythm, but their quality in attack eventually restored the lead.

Erling Haaland put the hosts back in front in the 34th minute. Mateo Kovačić created the opening from the right before delivering a precise ball into the area, allowing Haaland to rise and head the ball home.

The goal gave City a 2-1 advantage at the break and provided another reminder of the Norwegian striker’s importance to Maresca’s side.

Haaland was not finished.

In the second half, City continued to look for a third goal and eventually got it through their prolific forward. Iliman Ndiaye played Haaland through, and the striker calmly finished the opportunity in the 69th minute to put City two goals ahead.

It was Haaland’s second goal of the afternoon and his latest contribution during a prolific scoring run. His second strike also carried historical significance, as it was his 100th non-penalty goal in the Premier League, a milestone he reached in a record 139 appearances.

Haaland thought he had completed his hat-trick later in the match, but the goal was ruled out after VAR identified an offside in the build-up. The decision denied him the chance to take the match ball home, although his two goals had already done the damage.

Ipswich refused to disappear from the contest.

Zian Flemming converted a late penalty to reduce the deficit to 3-2 and suddenly give the visitors hope of taking something from the match. City had created opportunities to make the game safe earlier, but the late concession ensured the closing stages were uncomfortable.

Ipswich pushed forward in search of an equaliser, while City had to protect their narrow advantage. Despite the pressure, Maresca’s players held on to claim a seventh consecutive league victory.

The match also highlighted City’s ability to respond when opponents refuse to sit back. Ipswich repeatedly looked for opportunities in transition and managed to punish City once in each half, but the home side’s attacking quality ultimately proved decisive. Foden provided the early breakthrough, while Haaland supplied the goals that separated the two teams.

For Haaland, though, the afternoon ended with a concern despite his outstanding performance.

The striker was seen limping towards the tunnel after the match rather than remaining on the pitch to applaud the supporters.

Maresca later said he did not know the extent of the problem, explaining that Haaland had told him he was okay and expressing hope that the issue was not serious. City also saw several other players pick up injuries during the game, adding to the concerns after a demanding run of fixtures.

For Maresca, though, the focus remained on the achievement.

The manager said he had not expected to win seven out of seven and stressed that his approach has been to concentrate on the next match rather than looking too far ahead. That mentality has been reflected in City’s performances, with the team continuing to collect victories despite the pressure surrounding the club.

Maresca also praised Haaland’s influence, describing his goalscoring form as important while highlighting the striker’s leadership and character within the squad.

The manager’s relationship with Foden is another encouraging development. Maresca has spoken highly of the England international and made it clear that helping him reach another level is part of his responsibility. Foden responded with an important opening goal against Ipswich.

City’s perfect record has now become one of the biggest stories of the opening weeks of the Premier League season. Seven matches have produced seven victories, 21 points and a place at the summit.

More importantly for Maresca, the run has established a historic benchmark. Managers who have enjoyed exceptional starts to Premier League campaigns have still been unable to match the Italian’s opening sequence in charge of a club.

Maresca has now done it.

The challenge will be maintaining that standard as the season becomes more demanding. City will face more difficult tests, and the fitness of key players such as Haaland could become increasingly important.

For now, however, Maresca can celebrate a landmark achievement. His Manchester City team remain unbeaten in the Premier League, Haaland continues to provide decisive moments in front of goal, and the club’s perfect start has placed the Italian manager alone in the Premier League record books.

The 3-2 victory over Ipswich may have ended with City defending a slender advantage, but it ultimately delivered exactly what Maresca wanted: another three points and another chapter in a remarkable start.