Manchester City's Phil Foden scored twice and created another goal in an outstanding first-half display as they hammered Ipswich Town 6-0 at Portman Road on Sunday to roar back into the Premier League's top four.

The comprehensive win moved City to 38 points and into fourth position on goal difference ahead of Newcastle United, but they are still 12 points behind leaders Liverpool, who have a game in hand, and six behind Arsenal and Nottingham Forest.

Ipswich, who remain 18th on 16 points, had a couple of good early chances but City shook off the shackles of recent poor performances with a superb display of attacking football, and once they got the first goal, there was no way back for their hosts.

It came in the 27th minute as Jeremy Doku combined with Kevin De Bruyne, and he in turn worked the ball on for Foden to take a touch before drilling it home to break the deadlock.

That trio tormented the Ipswich defence as Mateo Kovacic doubled the lead three minutes later. Doku was again involved down the left, feeding the ball for Foden to set up Kovacic, and the Croat needed no second invitation to fire into the net from the edge of the box.

City continued to attack down the left and their perseverance paid off in the 42nd minute as Foden added his second, his shot squirming under the body of Ipswich keeper Christian Walton and across the line.

There was no let-up after the break as Doku scored four minutes into the second half before setting up Erling Haaland, who signed a lucrative 10-year contract in midweek, to make it 5-0.

Substitute James McAtee completed the rout in the 69th minute with a looping header, much to the delight of coach Pep Guardiola, whose side look to be back to something resembling their best.

Foden was left in no doubt as to how well his side had played in brushing aside Ipswich.

"Probably the best this season, in terms of all-round play. Keeping possession at important times and we defended well. One of our best performances this year," he told Sky Sports.

"We are building momentum, keeping players fit is important. I put it down to people being in better shape and the team is bonding better."

City may be back, but Foden is not making any wild predictions about reining in Liverpool.

"You never know what can happen. The aim is to stay in the top four," he said.

Ipswich Town vs Manchester City LIVE: Premier League updates

• Ipswich XI: Walton; Johnson, Godfrey, O'Shea, Burgess, Davis; Morsy, Cajuste; Hutchinson, Clarke; Delap

• Man City XI: Ederson; Nunes, Akanji, Dias, Gvardiol; Kovacic, Gundogan; Foden, De Bruyne, Doku; Haaland

• 27' GOAL! Foden swivels and slams home the opener [IPS 0-1 MCI]

• 30' GOAL! Kovacic blasts home a second and City are cruising [IPS 0-2 MCI]

• 41' GOAL! Foden caps off a slick City move with De Bruyne laying it on a plate [IPS 0-3 MCI]

• 49' GOAL! Doku joins the City party as City start second half fast [IPS 0-4 MCI]

• 57' GOAL! Haaland celebrates his new contract with a goal [IPS 0-5 MCI]

• 69' GOAL! McAtee scores his first Premier League goal for the Cityzens [IPS 0-6 MCI]

Ipswich Town FC 0 - 6 Manchester City FC

Ipswich Town vs Manchester City

18:24

Manchester City run riot and return to winning ways, hammering Ipswich Town 6-0 at Portman Road to climb into fourth spot in the Premier League thanks to three goals on either side of the interval - outperforming their xG of 2.90 (compared to the hosts’ 0.65). McKenna’s side’s early resistance was broken after 27 minutes, when Foden’s swivelled shot beat an up to that point impressive Walton, which seemingly opened the floodgates, with Guardiola’s side finding the back of the net twice more in the ensuing quarter-hour thanks to Kovacic and a second from Foden. It was more of the same after the restart, with Ipswich Town not able to stem the tide or create quality chances at the other end. Doku’s curling effort, which took a deflection to get past the goalkeeper put the visitors up by four just 240 seconds after the second half kicked off, and goals from Haaland and McAtee from close range would seal the deal with a full 21 minutes left in the game. The incumbent Premier League champions travel to play PSG in the Champions League on Wednesday, ahead of a game with Chelsea in the league on January 25, while 17th-placed Ipswich Town take on Liverpool next Saturday. That concludes our commentary of the Premier League fixture between Ipswich Town and Manchester City - we hope you’ve enjoyed it!

Ipswich Town vs Manchester City

18:24

FULL-TIME: IPSWICH TOWN 0-6 MANCHESTER CITY

Ipswich Town vs Manchester City

18:22

The fourth official indicates three minutes will be added to the end of the match for stoppages.

Ipswich Town vs Manchester City

18:22

Gundogan switches play with a lovely diagonal out to the far post for McAtee, who can only send his off-balance header into the side-netting from an acute angle.

Ipswich Town vs Manchester City

18:21

Guardiola will be grateful to have this opportunity to rotate his team, as he did with 30 minutes to go, with matches against PSG, Chelsea, Club Brugge and Arsenal on the horizon. With a number of players still out injured, today’s visitors have been given the opportunity to take it relatively easily in the latter stages of today’s game, with the tempo of play not at the usual high level of the Premier League given Ipswich Town’s deficit.

Ipswich Town vs Manchester City

18:19

Ipswich Town’s fight to stay in the Premier League doesn’t get any easier, with McKenna’s side slated to take on Liverpool next weekend, before a crucial six-pointer against Southampton. With 16 games left to go in the season there’s still lots of time for movement in the table, though their three Premier League wins is only better than the aforementioned Southampton.

Ipswich Town vs Manchester City

18:16

Manchester City are moving the ball around effortlessly as we approach the final five minutes, meeting little resistance as they look to see out the clock. Ipswich Town look to be ready for full-time as well, with the fourth official not likely to add on many minutes at the end.

Ipswich Town vs Manchester City

18:13

Today is the 13th time Manchester City have scored six or more goals in a Premier League game under Pep Guardiola, as many times as Arsene Wenger's Arsenal did so, with only Alex Ferguson's Manchester United (14) netting six or more on more occasions in the competition.

Ipswich Town vs Manchester City

18:11

Johnson’s free-kick is initially repelled by Manchester City’s defence but it’s put only as far as Morsey, who scuffs his low strike from distance, allowing Gundogan to put in a block.

Ipswich Town vs Manchester City

18:09

Nunes leans across to drag Davis to the ground high on the left flank, which earns the Portugal international a yellow card.

Ipswich Town vs Manchester City

18:09

Kovacic has both scored and assisted in a Premier League game for just the second time in his career, after doing so for Chelsea against Aston Villa in September 2021.

Ipswich Town vs Manchester City

18:07

Manchester City will look to see out the final quarter-hour in routine fashion, with five substitutions already made by Guardiola - who will be keen to avoid unnecessary injuries with the result already secure. For Ipswich Town, even if the points are beyond reach, they’ll be eager to avoid a fourth loss without scoring a goal in their last six Premier League games.

Ipswich Town vs Manchester City

18:03

Kovacic is the latest Manchester City player to be recalled to the bench, with Lewis ready to replace the Croatia international.

Ipswich Town vs Manchester City

18:03

Substitution Liam Rory Delap George David Eric Hirst

Ipswich Town vs Manchester City

18:03

Substitution Manuel Obafemi Akanji Nico O'Reilly

Ipswich Town vs Manchester City

18:03

Manchester City have won 20 of their last 21 Premier League games against promoted sides since losing 2-1 to Leeds United in April 2021, with the only exception in this run being a 1-1 draw at Nottingham Forest in February 2023.

Ipswich Town vs Manchester City

17:59

Goal James John McAtee

Ipswich Town vs Manchester City

17:59

McAtee puts his inswinging corner right onto the goal-line, forcing Walton to leap through the crowd of bodies to put in a two-handed punch.

Ipswich Town vs Manchester City

17:58

Haaland has now scored 16 goals in 14 Premier League appearances against newly promoted sides.

Ipswich Town vs Manchester City

17:55

Substitution Benjamin Matthew Godfrey Axel Tuanzebe

Ipswich Town vs Manchester City

17:55

Substitution Jens-Lys Michel Cajuste Massimo Corey Luongo

Ipswich Town vs Manchester City

17:54

Substitution Jack Raymond Clarke Jaden Richard Philogene-Bidace

Ipswich Town vs Manchester City

17:54

Davis’ inswinging kick is met by an emphatic volleyed clearance from De Bruyne, who cranes his body to put the ball out of play for a throw-in, which prompts the first substitutions of the game.

Ipswich Town vs Manchester City

17:54

Substitution Kevin De Bruyne James John McAtee

Ipswich Town vs Manchester City

17:54

Substitution Erling Braut Haaland Divin Saku Mubama

Ipswich Town vs Manchester City

17:54

Substitution Philip Walter Foden Jack Peter Grealish

Ipswich Town vs Manchester City

17:53

Clarke again gives the ball away ahead of his own penalty area, with Foden this time able to capitalise, but the attack comes to an abrupt end when Gvardiol’s pass back to the England international is intercepted by Godfrey.

Ipswich Town vs Manchester City

17:50

Ipswich have conceded five goals in a single match in any competition for the first time since September 2021, in a 5-2 home defeat to Bolton in League One.

Ipswich Town vs Manchester City

17:48

Assist Jérémy Baffour Doku

Ipswich Town vs Manchester City

17:47

Goal Erling Braut Haaland

Ipswich Town vs Manchester City

17:46

De Bruyne’s low, inswinging corner fails to beat the first man, with Morsey allowed to sweep it away.

Ipswich Town vs Manchester City

17:45

Though the result may not be a surprise to Ipswich Town, the manner of defeat - specifically the scoreline - will be of the utmost importance as McKenna’s side continue to try and maintain their Premier League status. Level with Wolves in both points and goal differential at the start of play today, the 4-0 result as things stand puts them further behind their closest rival for safety, with Wolves playing Chelsea tomorrow.

Ipswich Town vs Manchester City

17:44

Doku has scored three goals in his last 10 Premier League games, as many as in his previous 34 appearances in the competition

Ipswich Town vs Manchester City

17:40

Assist Kevin De Bruyne

Ipswich Town vs Manchester City

17:40

Delap picks up possession on the left wing and draws two defenders towards him before playing a pass into the middle of the pitch for Hutchinson, who spots Johnson’s overlapping run. The winger leads the wing-back into the penalty area, where he has a shot at goal, but Ederson gets low quickly to make the near-post save!

Ipswich Town vs Manchester City

17:38

Kovacic and Doku combine to steal the ball from Morsey in midfield before the former slips a pass into the penalty area for De Bruyne, whose cutback pass to the penalty spot for Foden is intercepted by Davis.

Ipswich Town vs Manchester City

17:35

Ipswich Town get the match restarted from the kick-off!

Ipswich Town vs Manchester City

17:24

McKenna’s side have little option in the second half, with a three-goal deficit necessitating a focus on going forward - even at the risk of leaving gaps at the back. Newly acquired Philogene, as well as Burns, who started in Ipswich Town’s last game, could be of use as the hosts continue to search for a way back into the game, while Guardiola won’t look to take any risks in search of a third Premier League win in four games. With a fixture against Paris Saint-Germain coming up in three days however, the Manchester City coach may look to rotate his squad and keep legs fresh ahead of their Champions League tie.

Ipswich Town vs Manchester City

17:22

Ipswich Town’s resolve was on full-display in the opening 25 minutes as the newly promoted side looked to maintain firm resistance against the Premier League champions, but three goals in a 15-minute spell to end the half gives Manchester City a 3-0 lead at the interval at Portman Road. Walton kept the score level a quarter-hour into the game, stopping Haaland in a one-on-one opportunity before Hutchinson came close to giving his side the lead with a first-time shot after a clever set-piece from Davis, instead sending his shot whistling over the crossbar via a deflection after 25 minutes. The visitors would have their lead 120 seconds later, with Foden receiving De Bruyne’s cross before swivelling to finish past a diving Walton. The England international would then register an assist on the half-hour mark, setting Kovacic up for a shot that would double Guardiola’s side’s lead, before finding the back of the net with his second from close range three minutes before injury time. Delap created a couple of half-chances against his former side - accounting for 0.15 of Ipswich Town’s 0.48 total xG, but Manchester City have tripled that, with their 1.52 xG good for three goals.

Ipswich Town vs Manchester City

17:18

HALF-TIME: IPSWICH TOWN 0-3 MANCHESTER CITY

Ipswich Town vs Manchester City

17:18

The fourth official indicates one minute will be added to the end of the half for stoppages.

Ipswich Town vs Manchester City

17:18

Foden has scored more Premier League goals than any other player since the turn of the year (five), thanks in large part to back-to-back doubles against Brentford and today against Ipswich Town.

Ipswich Town vs Manchester City

17:14

Goal Philip Walter Foden

Ipswich Town vs Manchester City

17:13

Manchester City’s short-corner routine leads to Foden’s speculative shot from distance, but he sends his effort skipping harmlessly wide of the far post.

Ipswich Town vs Manchester City

17:12

De Bruyne is led towards the byline by Doku’s pass, preventing the ball from going out of play by hooking a left-footed cross towards the back post, where it’s met and turned behind for a corner by Burgess.

Ipswich Town vs Manchester City

17:10

De Bruyne brings down the bobbling ball just inside the 18-yard box after receiving Foden’s fizzed pass, but he leans back during his attempted shot, sending his effort just high of the crossbar.

Ipswich Town vs Manchester City

17:08

De Bruyne cuts inside from the left and plays a pass to Kovacic, who spreads it to the right for the overlapping Nunes, but his left-footed cross from the right wing is caught rather easily by Walton.

Ipswich Town vs Manchester City

17:07

Ipswich Town are looking to maintain possession and get in a breather with just over 12 minutes to go before the half, but Gundogan’s ball-winning tackle leaves Davis down in a bit of pain - with the referee allowing play to continue - before Nunes’ sends a clever clearance off the head of Cajuste and behind for a goal-kick.

Ipswich Town vs Manchester City

17:06

Manchester City have scored 24 first-half goals in 22 games, more than any other team in the Premier League this season.

Ipswich Town vs Manchester City

17:03

Assist Philip Walter Foden

Ipswich Town vs Manchester City

17:02

Goal Mateo Kovačić

Ipswich Town vs Manchester City

17:02

Looking to find a response immediately, Delap receives Cajuste’s pass just outside the centre-circle and takes on three Manchester City defenders before finding just enough room to pull a low, right footed strike towards goal that’s easily saved by Ederson.

Ipswich Town vs Manchester City

16:59

Goal Philip Walter Foden

Ipswich Town vs Manchester City

16:58

CLOSE! Davis’ ensuing corner is met by the free head of O’Shea on the penalty spot, but Ederson reacts quickly on his goal-line, leaping up to make a sure-handed catch!

Ipswich Town vs Manchester City

16:58

NOT A BAD TRY FROM HUTCHINSON! Davis pulls the free-kick back to the edge of the penalty area, where it’s met by Hutchinson, who blasts a left-footed first-time effort towards goal. The ball takes the narrowest of touches off the foot of Haaland, which sends it inches over the crossbar and behind for a corner!

Ipswich Town vs Manchester City

16:56

Delap wins the ball from Kovacic in midfield and initially gets past Nunes on his way towards the 18-yard box, before a cynical shove leaves the striker on the ground just ahead of the penalty area on the left. It’s a free-kick for the hosts, in a good position for a cross.

Ipswich Town vs Manchester City

16:55

After not registering a shot in the first 12 minutes of the match, Manchester City have followed up with five in the ensuing 10 minutes, testing Walton twice while creating an expected goals of 0.81. The visitors are firmly in the ascendancy but Ipswich Town have certainly made it a contest, creating a couple of half-chances of their own.

Ipswich Town vs Manchester City

16:53

De Bruyne and Doku work a short corner that puts Foden in a position to shoot 30 yards from goal in a central area, but his strike is deflected by the foot of Gundogan, with Walton staying on his feet long enough to change direction and gather the ball comfortably.

Ipswich Town vs Manchester City

16:52

Davis finds a pocket of space in the left channel and hooks a cross to the far post in search of Delap, but Ederson commands his penalty area by stepping off his line to make a leaping catch.

Ipswich Town vs Manchester City

16:51

Haaland is allowed to build up a head of steam as he strides through midfield before shifting the ball out to the right for Foden, but the return from the England international is disrupted by a sliding Burgess, allowing Morsey to clear.

Ipswich Town vs Manchester City

16:50

Burgess gives it away just ahead of his penalty area, allowing Gundogan to charge through and win it back before centring a pass to Haaland that’s poked away by O’Shea. Kovacic is there on the follow-up and hits a first-time shot, but he blazes the effort over the crossbar from 20 yards away.

Ipswich Town vs Manchester City

16:49

GREAT STOP FROM WALTON! Kovacic plays an incisive pass between Burgess and O’Shea and into the penalty area for Haaland, who draws the goalkeeper off his line before firing a powerful left-footed strike that’s pushed away by two strong hands from Walton!

Ipswich Town vs Manchester City

16:47

Burgess goes long down the left flank in search of Davis, who manages to get to the ball ahead of Nunes before playing a pass back to Clarke instead of crossing in search of Delap, with the hosts not looking to force anything in the opening quarter-hour.

Ipswich Town vs Manchester City

16:45

This is Manchester City’s first visit to Portman Road in any competition since January 2002 in the FA Cup fourth round; a 4-1 win for the visitors.

Ipswich Town vs Manchester City

16:44

Kovacic sends a leading pass to the far post looking for the run of Doku, who can only manage to half-volley the ball away from the byline, putting it out of play instead for an Ipswich throw.

Ipswich Town vs Manchester City

16:42

Johnson wins the ball back high up the pitch and immediately looks to spark a counter-attack, feeding the ball into the feet of Clarke, who then looks to Delap inside the penalty area. The former Manchester City striker gets the better of Dias, sitting the defender down as he puts it back onto his left foot, but the effort is eventually blocked from close range by a covering Gvardiol.

Ipswich Town vs Manchester City

16:39

Manchester City will be forced to unpick Ipswich Town’s low block if they wish to take the lead, with the hosts initially looking to press the ball before quickly falling back into their shape around the 18-yard box. De Bruyne and Foden will be the key to bringing Haaland into play, with the striker constantly occupied by one - if not two - centre-backs.

Ipswich Town vs Manchester City

16:38

Nunes picks up possession wide on the right and plays a square pass to De Bruyne before continuing his run, looking to receive the ball back inside the penalty area, but the Manchester City captain overhits his return, putting it directly behind for a goal-kick.

Ipswich Town vs Manchester City

16:37

Davis’ inswinging corner towards the near post fails to beat the first man, with De Bruyne bending low to meet the set-piece with a clearing header.

Ipswich Town vs Manchester City

16:36

A quick interchange in midfield allows Godfrey to attack the space down the right flank before laying it off to Morsey in Ipswich Town’s first real foray forward. The captain then looks to hit a flat diagonal to switch the play, which is met by Nunes, but his header back towards Ederson is sent directly behind for a corner.

Ipswich Town vs Manchester City

16:33

Manchester City get the match under way from the kick-off!

Ipswich Town vs Manchester City

16:16

Manchester City make four changes to the XI that drew 2-2 with Brentford last time out. Ederson returns between the posts, taking over from Ortega, while Dias has returned to fitness and regains his place in the line-up thanks to Nathan Ake’s injury. Gundogan is preferred to Silva in midfield and Doku gets the nod ahead of Savinho.

Ipswich Town vs Manchester City

16:16

Ipswich Town make five alterations from the side that lost 2-0 to Brighton three days ago. Godfrey comes in for his first start for his new club - replacing Woolfenden in defence, while Burgess and Johnson are drafted in alongside him instead of Greaves and Broadhead. Morsey returns to captain the side in Kalvin Phillips’ place - with the midfielder unable to play against his parent-club, and Clarke is preferred to Burns.

Ipswich Town vs Manchester City

16:16

MANCHESTER CITY SUBS: Jack Grealish, Stefan Ortega, Bernardo Silva, Savinho, Max Alleyne, Nico O’Reilly, Rico Lewis, James McAtee.

Ipswich Town vs Manchester City

16:16

MANCHESTER CITY XI (3-2-4-1): Ederson; Josko Gvardiol, Ruben Dias, Manuel Akanji; Ilkay Gundogan, Mateo Kovacic; Jeremy Doku, Matheus Nunes, Kevin De Bruyne, Phil Foden; Erling Haaland.

Ipswich Town vs Manchester City

16:16

IPSWICH TOWN SUBS: Arijanet Muric, Wes Burns, Jack Taylor, Conor Townsend, Massimo Luongo, George Hirst, Jaden Philogene, Nathan Broadhead, Axel Tuanzebe.

Ipswich Town vs Manchester City

16:16

IPSWICH TOWN XI (5-4-1): Christian Walton; Leif Davis, Cameron Burgess, Ben Godfrey, Dara O'Shea, Ben Johnson; Omari Hutchinson, Jens Cajuste, Sam Morsy, Jack Clarke; Liam Delap.

Ipswich Town vs Manchester City

16:16

With 15 minutes to go before kick-off, let’s take a look at how the two sides are lining up - starting with our hosts.

Ipswich Town vs Manchester City starting line-ups

16:11 , Jack Rathborn

Ipswich XI: Walton; Johnson, Godfrey, O'Shea, Burgess, Davis; Morsy, Cajuste; Hutchinson, Clarke; Delap

Man City XI: Ederson; Nunes, Akanji, Dias, Gvardiol; Kovacic, Gundogan; Foden, De Bruyne, Doku; Haaland

Ipswich Town vs Manchester City

16:06

Manchester City have made it four league games in-a-row without defeat since a 2-1 loss to Aston Villa on December 21, though Pep Guardiola’s side were twice pegged back in the final 10 minutes to earn a 2-2 draw with Brentford last time out. Wins for Villa and Bournemouth yesterday leave the incumbent Premier League champions down in eighth place after 21 matches played, though an 11th win of the season will take them as high as seventh and just two points back of the final guaranteed Champions League spot.

Ipswich Town vs Manchester City

16:06

Ipswich Town’s two-match unbeaten run came to an end on Thursday after collecting four points from Chelsea and Fulham, when they were beaten 2-0 by Brighton. Still occupying a spot in the relegation zone, Kieran McKenna’s team sit level with Wolves ahead of them on both points and goal differential, and could finish the weekend in safety with at least a point, with Vitor Pereira’s side not taking to the pitch until tomorrow. All eyes will be on former Manchester City striker Delap, who takes on his former side with a point to prove.

Ipswich Town vs Manchester City

16:06

Hello and welcome to our LIVE commentary of the Premier League fixture between Ipswich Town and Manchester City!

Ipswich Town vs Manchester City

14:30

Follow all the goals and latest action from the Premier League here with The Independent. Team news and line-ups coming up shortly…