City survive Ipswich scare to make it seven from seven

Manchester City edged Ipswich Town 3-2 at home to protect their perfect start to the Premier League season, with manager Enzo Maresca praising his players after the final whistle. BBC Sport

It was not comfortable. City scored three, conceded two, and had to stand firm late on to take all three points in England's top flight.

The win kept Maresca's league record flawless and delivered the seventh consecutive league victory his team were chasing going into the weekend. BBC Sport Ipswich made them earn every bit of it.

City arrived with a point to prove. They had lost 4-2 to Paris in Europe in midweek, and Maresca had called the Ipswich game the perfect chance to bounce back. Manchester City His players answered him.

Maresca had warned against taking Ipswich lightly. He said before the game that they would be dangerous and would be no pushovers. The scoreline showed he was right, with the visitors pushing City all the way at the Etihad.

There was also movement off the pitch. Phil Foden had just served a three-game ban and was available again for selection. Maresca said the England forward would come back with a vengeance after his time out. Manchester City

For fans, this means momentum stays with City. Seven wins from seven keeps the early pace setters exactly where they want to be, even if the defence showed some cracks. Ipswich leave with nothing but credit for making a title contender sweat.

What makes this stand out is the response. A European defeat can linger. City instead found a way to win an awkward, scrappy league game, and Maresca liked what he saw.