Phil Foden stars as Man City beat Ipswich to lead by six

Manchester City kicked off with the stands in protest mode. Fans jeered the Premier League anthem before kick-off and answered with chants as they returned to the Etihad for the first top-flight home match since the club were found guilty over Premier League financial-rule breaches.

The theatrics didn’t stop. Tens of thousands inside the stadium booed and sang, including jokes about “Stockport away” and mock gallows humour aimed at Ipswich’s travelling support. The atmosphere carried straight into the match, which ended with Phil Foden doing the talking.

A perfect league start

Foden, back in the squad after a suspension, helped City see off Ipswich and extend a flawless run: seven wins from seven, taking them six points clear at the top. Maresca said the environment even felt defiant before kick-off, and after the game he pointed to City’s control for 95 minutes.

The Etihad also set a new attendance record: 60,817. And in a final twist, Foden even arrived at his Match of the Day interview holding an inflatable banana, with the club leaning into the colourful fan backlash as their appeal continues over charges tied to the 2009-10 to 2017-18 period.