Manchester City's 3-2 win over Ipswich Town on Saturday was more than just another three points. It was a seventh consecutive league victory to open the season — the first time the club has managed that since 1897.
That 1897 side drew its eighth league match against Newton Heath, the club that would eventually become Manchester United. City have never won eight straight to start a campaign. Beat Aston Villa on October 24, and this current group will hold the record outright.
Foden Ends the Drought
Phil Foden had been serving a three-match ban for violent contact against Manchester United's Bruno Fernandes. He hadn't scored since December. That changed in the 19th minute when Jeremy Doku delivered a cross and Foden put it away.
It was his first goal in 10 months. A weight off, you'd imagine.
The match itself was closer than it needed to be. City scored in the 19th minute, but a breakdown in the 21st let Ipswich — newly promoted — back into it. The visitors made a game of it for far longer than anyone at the Etihad would have liked.
Rotation in Full Flow
Enzo Maresca used his bench freely late in the second half. Elliot Anderson, Antoine Semenyo, Rayan Cherki, Enzo Fernandez, Abdukodir Khusanov and Josko Gvardiol all came on as the manager shuffled his pack.
It's been a brutal stretch. City have played three matches in a week and have another four before October ends. Last weekend they destroyed Liverpool. On Wednesday they lost 4-2 to Paris Saint-Germain. Saturday's win, however scrappy at times, keeps the league run intact.
The bigger picture remains unresolved. The Premier League will eventually announce sanctions, and the club will be punished for allegedly breaking financial fair play rules. For now, though, the football keeps delivering — and history is one win away.