LONDON — Erling Haaland netted a hat-trick to fire Manchester City to a 4-1 victory over promoted Ipswich Town and lifts the champions to the top of the English Premier League table.
They lead on goal difference from Brighton and Hove Albion, who defeated Manchester United 2-1 with a last-gasp goal, and Arsenal who struck twice late on to earn a gritty 2-0 win at Aston Villa.
Tottenham Hotspur handed last-placed Everton more misery with a 4-0 victory and West Ham earned their first win of the season, 2-0 over Crystal Palace.
Manchester City scored three times in less than four minutes after conceding a shock early goal to crush Ipswich and remain perfect in their quest for a fifth consecutive league title.
Haaland kicked off City’s trio of goals in 191 seconds with a penalty in the 12th minute. Kevin De Bruyne netted less than two minutes later and Haaland struck again to all but seal the victory at Etihad Stadium.
“Last season (Haaland) struggled a lot, especially at the beginning,” City manager Pep Guardiola said according to Reuters. “He felt tired and niggles most of the time. This time with the rest with no Euros, he has arrived with a good vibe. The numbers are unbelievable.”
Brighton earned a dramatic home victory over United at the Amex when Joao Pedro scored in the fifth minute of added time.
Brighton striker Danny Welbeck scored the opener against his former club before Amad Diallo drew Erik ten Hag’s men and the game looked destined for a draw.
Brighton’s pressure paid off, however, when Simon Adingra chipped the ball over United’s defenders for an unmarked Pedro who headed home.
“It was very emotional, always when you get the win in the last minute, it is,” Brighton manager Fabian Huerzeler said.
“I think we deserved to win, we had a good game not a perfect game.”
Goals from Leandro Trossard and Thomas Partey secured Arsenal’s win at Villa.
The victory was a measure of revenge after Villa beat the Gunners twice last season, losses that ultimately ended Arsenal’s chances of winning the title.
Ollie Watkins missed two gilt-edged chances before substitute Trossard scored in the 67th minute with his first touch and Partey doubled the lead.
“A strong start is always good, especially for the feeling, how you go into a new season,” Trossard said.
“It’s so early on so it’s hard to predict what it’s going to be at the end of the season, but it’s definitely what we’re aiming for, is to win games.”
Keeper Jordan Pickford’s error and Son Heung-min’s brace helped Spurs to a comprehensive 4-0 victory over struggling Everton.
Yves Bissouma and Cristian Romero also scored as Tottenham eased to their first win of the campaign against a visiting side who have conceded seven times in two games.
“The performance was good,” Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou said. “It’s really encouraging for us.”
Second-half goals from Tomas Soucek and Jarrod Bowen fired West Ham to victory at Selhurst Park.
The visitors broke the deadlock when Palace struggled to clear the ball and Soucek steered the ball home.
Hammers captain Bowen added the second, latching on to a brilliant pass by Max Kilman before lashing a left-footed shot into the net.
There were more heroics from the goalscorers when West Ham’s fans charged down to celebrate Soucek’s goal, causing an advertising hoarding to collapse, trapping a ball boy.
Soucek held the hoarding so the child could wriggle out, with Bowen pulling the boy through his teammate’s legs to safety.
“I just managed to grab him out as quick as possible, it was just instinct, just to do it,” Bowen said.
Leicester City was beaten 2-1 by Fulham and early struggles continued for fellow league newcomers Southampton who lost 1-0 to Nottingham Forest.
Second-half goals from Tomas Soucek and Jarrod Bowen gave West Ham United their first League win of the season as they cruised to a 2-0 victory over Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park.
Both sides had early chances, Mohammed Kudus flashing a shot wide for the Hammers in the 11th minute and Palace forward Eberechi Eze denied by keeper Alphonse Areola five minutes later.
The best chance fell to the home side as they pulled off a well-worked short corner just before the break that resulted in Eze firing a curling shot that smacked off the crossbar and bounced away to safety.
With the sides cancelling each other out for most of the game, West Ham finally broke the deadlock when Aaron Wan-Bissaka, a recent arrival from Manchester United, came off the bench and launched a counter-attack up the right wing.
Wan-Bissaka found Bowen further forward and his pass into the middle caused chaos in the Palace defence, and their inability to clear the ball was punished when Soucek made a trademark late run to steer the ball home.
The goal celebrations were cut short when an advertising hoarding collapsed under the weight of West Ham fans rushing to celebrate with Soucek, and he and Bowen had to rescue a ball boy who had become stuck under it.
“I’ve seen him after the game, he’s got my top now and he’s smiling so he’s all good,” Bowen said.
Hammers captain Bowen added the second goal five minutes later, latching on to a brilliant crossfield pass by Max Kilman before cutting on to his favoured left foot and lashing his shot into the net.
Jolted into life, Palace created a number of chances in quick succession and Ismail Sarr came closest to pulling a goal back, but his effort shaved the outside of the left-hand post.
Hammers boss Julen Lopetegui brought Edson Alvarez off the bench and the Mexican defensive midfielder wasted no time shutting down the middle of the field to enable his side to hold on and give their new coach his first win.
“I think the last two weeks have been harsh lessons, but it’s a long season, it’s early on in the season, so we have to turn it around,” Palace defender Chris Richards said following his side’s second league defeat in a row.
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