Manchester City’s home opener in the Premier League was marked by an unprecedented blend of fan defiance and celebratory chaos. In a match against Ipswich Town at the Etihad Stadium, the club’s supporters booed the national anthem, waved inflatable bananas, and chanted “City, City, City” before the first whistle, setting a tone that would echo throughout the 60,817‑strong crowd – a new attendance record for the venue. The game ended with a 3‑0 victory for City, pushing the team to a six‑point lead at the top of the table and completing a flawless start to the season.
The day’s events unfolded against a backdrop of controversy. City had recently been found guilty of breaching Premier League financial regulations between 2009‑10 and 2017‑18, a finding that prompted an appeal. The inflatable bananas, a nod to a fan tradition from the late 1980s, were deployed in the home sections in a scale that dwarfed previous displays, turning the stadium into a sea of yellow. While the fans’ jeers during the anthem were initially unsettling, they quickly shifted to supportive chants as the match progressed, with Phil Foden’s first goal of the season – his 19th‑minute opener – providing a rallying point for the supporters.
Manager Enzo Maresca, who has become the first Premier League manager to win his first seven games in charge, spoke after the match about the atmosphere. “The environment was very good,” he said, noting that the fans, club and players were all united in the journey. Maresca also praised Foden, who had returned from suspension after a red card against Manchester United, saying, “I love Phil. I know him from years ago and I know how good he is. It’s a matter of helping him to again be one of the best players in the Premier League.” The midfielder, who scored his first goal of 2026, described the crowd’s noise as an extra boost: “It’s nice to play at home and you can hear how loud they are. They’re giving us that extra boost that we need.”
City’s unbeaten run is the best start to a league campaign in 129 years, matching only Chelsea’s first nine matches in 2005‑06 and Liverpool’s first eight in 2019‑20, both of which went on to win titles. Maresca reflected on the significance of the streak: “We were able to win seven in a row and what made me very happy was day by day with the players, the way they are working and how I can see them improving.” He also addressed concerns about external criticism, assuring that the squad remains focused on performance rather than outside judgment.
With the win, City now sits comfortably at the summit of the Premier League table, six points clear of second‑placed Liverpool. The team’s early momentum, coupled with a united fan base, sets a strong foundation as the season progresses. The next fixture will test whether the club can maintain its unbeaten record and continue to build on the historic start.