Man City were never in crisis and potential changes prove the future is bright

Back in the top four, back in the old routine, Manchester City looked back to their old selves.

But this six-goal romp also said plenty about why Ipswich Town risk heading back to the Championship. There was a naivety and unexpected meekness to Ipswich’s performance that contrasted with the energy and expertise of City’s six-goal display.

This was much more like it from the reigning Premier League champions in what’s been a tough season for themCredit: AFP

They weren’t half helped by Ipswich’s naive tactics thoughCredit: Getty

Phil Foden is certainly back in form. He was man of the match, starting on the right but pushing inside as a No.10 behind Erling Haaland, scoring twice and assisting another.

With five goals in his last three Premier League games, Foden is hitting his stride after a slow start to the season affected by illness and injury, and perhaps fatigue following a gruelling 69-game 2023/24 for City and England.

This has been a strange season for City, full of doubts and defeats (nine in 32 all competitions).

It has been depicted as a full-blown crisis when really it was simply a lengthy dip in form, partly triggered by the absence of the talismanic Rodri.

City have too many good players like Foden, Haaland, Jeremy Doku, Ruben Dias, and Kevin De Bruyne, who ran the first half at 33 years old. They have too much wealth to reinvest in the squad, and recruits are arriving fast.

If City are in crisis, then many other clubs are, too.

City will really be plunged into crisis only if found to have breached Premier League financial rules, and they have consistently voiced their confidence they will be cleared.

If the state of City’s woes has been overplayed then they will still have welcomed this thumping win. There was an energy to City missing too often this season.

Maybe Haaland’s show of faith in the team and the club by signing that nine-and-a-half-year contract that spread confidence in the future.

Maybe it was the prospect of new signings in centre-backs Abdukodir Khusanov and Vitor Reis, as well as forward Omar Marmoush and potentially Douglas Luiz, their old midfielder, that focused some minds.

Pep Guardiola’s men have endured plenty of setbacks of late but this performance suggests the future looks brightCredit: Getty

No place is safe. They have to deliver or others will step in.

Maybe they are relishing the reminder of their powerful financial muscle and enhanced capabilities of challenging again.

Life was certainly made far easier by their opponents’ approach. Ipswich were far too respectful of the champions, standing off too often.

They were far too risky with possession in their defensive third; City pressed and turned the ball over and went for the jugular.

Or Ipswich were loose in possession, and the jugular was exposed. This was Farmageddon.

City’s control was enhanced by Dias playing his first game since December 15.

He’s more than a very good defender who reads danger early and confronts it expertly. Dias is vocal, a leader of the back-line, and an organiser supreme. He demands high standards on and off the field.

Dias dealt well with Liam Delap, and the game probably confirmed why Ederson should be City’s first-choice keeper.

City were so in control that Pep Guardiola even made substitutions early, which he rarely does, and all five, which he almost never does.

Jack Grealish, James McAtee and Divin Mubama came on after 62 minutes for Haaland, Foden and De Bruyne.

Rico Lewis and Nico O’Reilly replaced Manuel Akanji and Kovacic ten minutes later. City’s strength in depth will soon be deepened further by arrivals. They finished with four young talents on the field. Crisis, what crisis?

Ipswich started promisingly, Jack Clarke went on a great run, Delap threatened, but then City took over.

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Foden’s first came after 27 minutes with a neat finish following good approach work from Doku and De Bruyne: 0-1. City were flying down the left, Doku playing some of the most effective football of his 65 games for the club.

City added a second within three minutes. Doku again powered forward, Foden touched the ball right to Mateo Kovacic, who placed his shot past Christian Walton: 0-2.

City fans were in good voice, and very good heart, taunting the hosts with: “You’re going down with United”.

City didn’t ease up. Doku again went down the left, De Bruyne crossed, and Foden played the poacher again: 0-3.

Foden has six Premier League goals this season, two of them coming against IpswichCredit: Getty

City were late appearing for the second half, but when they arrived they merely deepened Ipswich’s pain. Within four minutes, Doku got the goal his industry and invention deserved, his effort deflecting in off Dara O’Shea: 0-4.

City were presented with their fifth after 57 minutes. Clarke played a crossfield ball blind, Doku picked it off, and Haaland’s left foot despatched it firmly past Walton: 0-5.

Guardiola began making his changes, and his withdrawal of a certain celebrated Belgian was marked by loud tributes from the away contingent of ‘Oh Kevin De Bruyne’.

He’s 33 and has a decision to make on his future. De Bruyne’s contract expires this summer and the Saudi Pro League or MLS provide options. But on this form – and with this fitness – De Bruyne remains elite level. It’s simply about staying fit for De Bruyne.

De Bruyne is getting good momentum too having provided four assists in his last three Premier League outingsCredit: AFP

Haaland celebrated his massive new contract with City’s fifth and his 17th goal of the seasonCredit: Getty

Guardiola tweaked the team, Doku went right, Grealish arrived on the left, and it was good to see Mubama getting a run-out.

Formerly of West Ham, the 20-year-old went to the same school as Jermain Defoe. He’s a completely different type of striker, more physical, and occupied Ipswich’s defenders busily.

Mubama’s presence distracted Ipswich with 21 minutes remaining, allowing McAtee to ghost through Town’s defence, pointing exactly where he wanted Kovacic to deliver the ball.

It duly arrived and McAtee elegantly guided it with his head over Walton: 0-6.