Ipswich Town celebrated a memorable 2-0 win against Chelsea, with two fantastic goals and a brilliant display of resilience.
The match, which took place at Portman Road, was a perfect way to cap off 2024 for Ipswich as they secured their first Premier League home win of the season.
Delap’s Early Goal Puts Ipswich in Front
The game kicked off with intensity as Ipswich quickly took control.
Liam Delap was the first to find the back of the net after a controversial penalty.
Just 10 minutes into the match, a foul from Chelsea goalkeeper Filip Jorgensen on Delap resulted in a penalty for Ipswich.
Despite Jorgensen guessing correctly, Delap’s powerful shot into the bottom-left corner put Ipswich ahead 1-0.
Chelsea’s defense, including a goal-line clearance by Tosin Adarabioyo, had little impact on Ipswich’s momentum in the early stages of the game.
Chelsea’s Missed Opportunities and Errors
Chelsea, despite having several chances, struggled to break down Ipswich’s defense.
A free-kick from Cole Palmer almost equalized, but the ball struck the post.
A subsequent rebound from Joao Felix was ruled offside after a long delay from VAR, much to the frustration of Chelsea fans.
In the first half, Ipswich’s goalkeeper Christian Walton was the hero, making crucial saves to maintain their lead.
Hutchinson’s Spectacular Strike and Celebration
The second half saw Chelsea’s frustration grow, and Ipswich made sure to capitalize on their mistakes.
Chelsea’s Axel Disasi made a costly error with a lazy pass that gave Ipswich possession.
Delap pounced on the ball and sent it to Omari Hutchinson, who danced past Disasi before calmly slotting the ball into the far corner to double Ipswich’s lead.
Hutchinson, full of emotion, celebrated wildly with a series of flips, and the fans at Portman Road joined in the celebration.
Chelsea’s Struggles and Maresca’s Tough Week
Despite bringing on new faces like Nicolas Jackson in an attempt to change the game, Chelsea couldn’t find a way back.
Their performance was riddled with mistakes, with key players like Disasi and Jorgensen failing to perform.
Manager Enzo Maresca now faces the tough task of answering questions about Chelsea’s struggles, following a week that saw them draw with Everton and lose to Fulham.
Ipswich Celebrates a Historic Win
Ipswich manager Kieran McKenna praised his team for their fantastic effort and expressed pride in the performance, especially with several players having come through the club’s ranks in League One.
Delap was singled out for his powerful display, and the victory, made even sweeter with the home crowd behind them, was a great way to end 2024.
What’s Next for Chelsea and Ipswich
For Ipswich, this victory is a major confidence booster as they continue to prove themselves in the Premier League.
Meanwhile, Chelsea’s tough season is looking even harder, and they will need to regroup quickly to stay in the race for a top-four finish.
Maresca’s side now faces questions about their performances and what changes they need to make in the second half of the season.