Ipswich Town claimed their first Premier League win at Portman Road this season, beating a struggling Chelsea side who have picked up just one point from their last three league matches.
Ipswich started brightly, with Nathan Broadhead’s shot blocked by Tosin Adarabioyo, but they took the lead in the 12th minute. In just his second Premier League appearance, Filip Jörgensen fouled Liam Delap in the box, giving the hosts’ top scorer the chance to score from the penalty spot – his first goal in seven games. Delap could have added another soon after, but Jörgensen made a strong save to keep it at 1-0.
Chelsea, trying to get back into the game, created a few chances in the first half. Cole Palmer hit the post with a free-kick, then set up João Félix at the back post, but after a long VAR check, Félix’s strike was ruled out for offside. Just before the break, Moisés Caicedo fired over the bar, and Christian Walton made a great save to tip Palmer’s shot onto the crossbar.
Chelsea kept pressing after half-time, but Ipswich doubled their lead against the run of play. Another mistake by Chelsea allowed Delap to intercept a careless pass from Axel Disasi, and he set up Omari Hutchinson, who scored against his former club. Despite dominating possession, Chelsea couldn’t find a way back into the game, and Ipswich held on for the win.
After a disastrous late collapse against Fulham on Boxing Day, this loss raises doubts about Enzo Maresca’s chances of challenging for the title. Chelsea are now fourth in the Premier League, 10 points behind leaders Liverpool, with a game extra played. Ipswich’s second win in seven Premier League matches doesn’t lift them out of the relegation zone yet, but it does close the gap to safety to just one point as they head into the second half of the season.
