Maresca makes history as City beat Ipswich for seventh straight win

Enzo Maresca made history on 17 October as Manchester City beat Ipswich at the Etihad Stadium to make it seven wins from seven.

No manager had ever won his first seven games in charge of a team before. Maresca is now the first, after guiding City to a record seven-match winning start in the Premier League, according to The Guardian.

Phil Foden gave City the lead. It was his first goal since mid-December. Jérémy Doku did the creating, sliding the ball across for Foden to finish.

Ipswich hit back fast. Two minutes later Daizen Maeda ran on to Abdoul Ouattara’s through ball and scored the equaliser. For a moment, the record looked shaky.

Then Erling Haaland took over. He scored twice to settle the game and secure the points for City. It was familiar territory for him against Ipswich. He scored a hat-trick, three goals in one game, the last time Ipswich visited the Etihad in August 2024.

Maresca had made six changes to his side. He was looking for a reaction after a difficult European night. City had lost 4-2 at home to Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League on the Wednesday before the Ipswich match, according to Manchester City.

Maresca had said City would learn the lessons from that defeat. He called the Ipswich game a perfect chance to bounce back.

They did. The win moved City six points clear of their nearest challengers at the top of England’s top division.

It was also City’s first home league game since the club was found to have breached financial rules. The home crowd got what they came for.

What makes this stand out is the speed of it. New managers usually need time. Players learn the system. Results wobble. Maresca has had none of that in the league. Seven games, seven wins, and a little piece of history before autumn is over.