Manchester United rally past Ipswich as Fernandes hits hat trick

Manchester United avoided another setback against a promoted side as Bruno Fernandes produced a hat trick to inspire a 5-2 comeback victory over Ipswich at Old Trafford on Sunday.

The result provided relief for United, which had opened its Premier League campaign the previous weekend with a surprising 2-0 defeat by Hull, a team promoted through the Championship playoffs and widely tipped for relegation.

Manager Michael Carrick had called for calm after that disappointment, but United again found itself trailing on Sunday when Ipswich, another side regarded as a relegation candidate, took the lead in the 29th minute.

Fernandes leads United’s comeback

Fernandes, the Premier League’s player of the year last season, levelled in the 40th minute with a powerful left-footed shot at the end of a counterattack.

He then converted a penalty in the 61st minute to put United 3-1 ahead before completing his hat trick seven minutes later with a composed finish.

It was the second time Fernandes had scored a hat trick in his first home appearance of a season for United. Five years ago, he achieved the same feat against Leeds.

“Scoring goals is the best feeling in football,” Fernandes said. “Doing a hat trick at home with our fans is something I’m proud of. I hope I can do much more.”

Harry Maguire was also involved in an unusual goal during the comeback. After handling the ball in the build-up, he saw his shot deflect off Ipswich defender Jacob Greaves and into the net.

No foul was awarded because Maguire’s handball was not judged deliberate, while he also did not score directly from his shot.

Bryan Mbeumo completed United’s scoring after running onto a pass from Fernandes and lifting the ball over the goalkeeper from the edge of the area.

Ipswich scored a stoppage-time consolation after Lisandro Martinez was dispossessed near his own goal.

“It’s just a week in football, isn’t it? The ups-and-downs,” Carrick said. “If you want to be a big team and a successful team, every team gets beaten and you’ve got to deal with setbacks … we showed mini-setback going a goal behind but we showed stubbornness, belief and togetherness, and that was pleasing for me.”

Palmer continues Chelsea revival

Cole Palmer provided further evidence of a return to form by scoring Chelsea’s final goal in a thrilling 4-3 victory over Brighton.

Palmer enjoyed a remarkable 2023-24 campaign, his first season at Chelsea, when he scored 22 league goals. However, injuries and a decline in form have affected him since, culminating in his omission from England’s World Cup squad this summer.

With England coach Thomas Tuchel watching, Palmer ran 30 metres before curling a shot into the net from the edge of the area for Chelsea’s fourth goal at Stamford Bridge.

The strike ended Brighton’s realistic hopes of completing a comeback in an end-to-end contest.

Romeo Lavia and Pedro Neto gave Chelsea a 2-0 lead by the 14th minute before Joao Pedro added a third in the 32nd for Xabi Alonso’s team.

Brighton pulled one back through Malick Yalcouyé just before halftime before further reducing the deficit in the 63rd minute when Pedro deflected a cross from Pascal Gross into his own net.

Palmer’s goal secured Chelsea’s second consecutive victory after the team opened its league campaign with a 3-2 win over Fulham on Monday. Palmer also scored in that match.

Brighton added a third through Gross with the final kick of the game.

Chelsea’s victory was tempered by an injury to midfielder Moises Caicedo, who played only 14 minutes after returning to the team as a second-half substitute.

Emi Martinez made his debut in goal for Chelsea just hours after completing his move from Aston Villa, while Enzo Fernandez, who has been linked with a move to Manchester City, was again absent.