Bouaddi shines on first PL start in City's 3-2 win over Ipswich

Ayyoub Bouaddi made his first Premier League start for Manchester City on Saturday, helping the club to a 3-2 victory over Ipswich Town at the Etihad Stadium. Manager Enzo Maresca became the first coach in Premier League history to win all seven of his opening fixtures in charge of a club.

Phil Foden opened the scoring after 19 minutes, only for Daizen Maeda to equalise two minutes later. Erling Haaland then struck either side of half-time, with a late Zian Flemming penalty completing the win.

"It was really good. I'm really happy because we won the game," Bouaddi said after the match. "It was a really tough game against a really good team in Ipswich. They put us in trouble in the second half. We won the game and we are really happy with that."

The Moroccan teenager, who had made three previous top-flight appearances from the bench, was handed his first start following an impressive outing in the midweek defeat to PSG. He finished the game with 92 touches, seven ground duels won and seven line-breaking passes.

"Of course I was really happy [to start]. It's football, I really like to play the game. I want to play every game. But I know it's part of the process," Bouaddi added.

On playing alongside established stars, the midfielder was candid: "It's easier to play [with players like these], even if sometimes you play a bad pass they can manage everything. It is a huge honour to play with players like this."

Haaland leads the division with 8 goals in 7 appearances this season. City sit top of the Premier League with a perfect record — seven wins from seven.