Manchester City maintained their perfect league start with a 3-2 victory, while Liverpool rallied to beat Brentford 2-1.
A Haaland double helped Manchester City beat Ipswich 3-2 on Saturday and maintain their perfect Premier League start. Meanwhile, Liverpool recovered from a goal down to defeat Brentford 2-1 and move into fifth place.
City have now won seven successive league matches, marking their best start to a Premier League season. They lead champions Arsenal by six points, although the second-placed side can narrow that gap at Nottingham Forest on Sunday.
Haaland double keeps City clear
Phil Foden opened the scoring in the 19th minute after Jeremy Doku’s run unlocked the Ipswich defence. His sharp turn and finish delivered his first goal of the season.
However, Ipswich responded two minutes later when Daizen Maeda escaped Marc Guehi and fired home. Haaland then restored City’s advantage in the 34th minute, heading in Mateo Kovacic’s cross.
The Norwegian added another in the 69th minute after running onto Iliman Ndiaye’s pass. He guided his finish past goalkeeper Christian Walton to give City a two-goal cushion.
Nevertheless, Zian Flemming’s 90th-minute penalty ensured a nervous finish after Guehi conceded a foul. City held on, bouncing back from their midweek Champions League defeat by Paris Saint-Germain.
Manager Enzo Maresca praised his team’s control, chance creation and finishing, despite the late pressure.
Financial case hangs over City’s winning run
Despite their strong league form, City face uncertainty following a guilty verdict over more than 100 Premier League financial-rule breaches. The club are appealing and have described the verdict as a Premier League conspiracy.
If their appeal fails, City could face a substantial points deduction or expulsion from the top flight. That prospect leaves uncertainty over the eventual significance of their results.
Before kick-off at the Etihad Stadium, supporters booed the Premier League anthem. Thousands also waved inflatable bananas in a show of support for the club.
Liverpool recover as Brentford finish with nine
In west London, Keane Lewis-Potter gave Brentford the lead in the 44th minute. He looped a header beyond Alisson Becker from Igor Thiago’s cross.
However, Yehor Yarmolyuk received a red card during first-half stoppage time. His head made contact with Jeremy Jacquet’s face as they waited for a corner.
Liverpool also lost Dominik Szoboszlai and Jeremie Frimpong to injuries, but eventually made their extra player count. Victor Munoz cut inside and equalised past former Liverpool goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher in the 62nd minute.
Eight minutes later, Alexander Isak struck the winner after Barcola set him up. The goal took the Sweden striker’s tally for the season to five.
Brentford then lost Vitaly Janelt to a second booking in stoppage time, finishing with nine players. Liverpool handed the hosts their first league defeat this season after losing their own previous league match to City.
Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola praised his side’s second-half performance and their response to Brentford’s strong home form.
Chelsea win as Martinez suffers head injury
Elsewhere, Pedro Neto scored twice as fourth-placed Chelsea beat Everton 2-0 at the Hill Dickinson Stadium. His goals came immediately after half-time and in stoppage time, ending Everton’s unbeaten league start.
However, Chelsea goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez suffered a head injury in a collision with Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite. Martinez went to hospital following the clash.
Meanwhile, Alex Iwobi’s 33rd-minute strike gave Fulham their first league victory this season, beating Hull 1-0 at Craven Cottage.
Aston Villa also won 1-0 away to Newcastle through Johan Manzambi’s 33rd-minute header from Joao Gomes’s cross. Newcastle had agreed a summer deal with Freiburg for the winger before Villa secured his signing.
