But on the grass, they have made a perfect start, with seven successive league victories marking their best opening to a Premier League season. Erling Haaland starred with a double as Premier League leaders Manchester City beat Ipswich 3-2, while Liverpool came from behind to seal a 2-1 win at Brentford on Saturday. City are in turmoil off the pitch after being found guilty of more than 100 breaches of Premier League financial rules.
City, who are appealing against the guilty verdict after branding it a “Premier League conspiracy”, sit six points clear of champions Arsenal.
With City potentially facing a massive points deduction or even expulsion from the top flight if their appeal fails, it remains to be seen whether their results will even matter by the end of the season.
Phil Foden put Maresca’s men ahead in the 19th minute with a sharp turn and finish after Jeremy Doku’s incisive run prised open the Ipswich defence. Foden’s first goal this season was followed by an Ipswich equaliser in the 21st minute when Daizen Maeda evaded Marc Guehi to fire home. It was the Norway striker’s 12th goal in his last eight City appearances. Alexander Isak blasted Liverpool’s winner in the 70th minute after Barcola teed up the Sweden striker for his fifth goal this term. Neto opened the scoring inside the first minute of the second half and secured the points during stoppage-time.
Fulham won for the first time in the league this season as Alex Iwobi’s 33rd-minute goal clinched a 1-0 victory against Hull at Craven Cottage.
