Ipswich Town ended their long wait for a Premier League victory at Portman Road, defeating Chelsea 2-0 in a spirited performance on Saturday. The win, only Ipswich’s second in seven league matches, narrows the gap to safety to just one point as they fight to escape the relegation zone.
A bright start for Ipswich was rewarded in the 12th minute when Liam Delap, the club’s leading scorer, converted a penalty after being fouled by Chelsea goalkeeper Filip Jörgensen. The spot-kick marked Delap’s first goal in seven games.
Despite Chelsea dominating possession, a series of costly individual errors sealed their fate. Axel Disasi’s misplaced pass allowed Delap to set up Omari Hutchinson for Ipswich’s second goal against his former club early in the second half.
| Match Highlights | Details |
|---|---|
| First Goal | Liam Delap penalty (12′) |
| Second Goal | Omari Hutchinson (56′) |
| Chelsea’s Best Chances | Felix offside goal, Palmer crossbar |
Christian Walton, making only his second Premier League appearance, produced a standout performance in goal for Ipswich, including a stunning save to deny Cole Palmer’s shot late in the first half.
Chelsea’s Struggles Continue
Chelsea’s faltering form over the festive period has left them fourth in the table, 10 points behind leaders Liverpool despite playing an extra match. Enzo Maresca’s side has now taken just one point from their last three games, raising doubts over their ability to mount a serious title challenge.
| Chelsea’s Festive Period Form | Results |
|---|---|
| vs. Fulham | 2-3 Loss |
| vs. Nottingham Forest | 1-1 Draw |
| vs. Ipswich | 0-2 Loss |
The result also marked Chelsea’s second away defeat in their last 13 league games, a concerning dip for a team previously seen as contenders.
For Ipswich, this morale-boosting victory offers hope for survival, cutting the gap to safety to just one point. Manager Kieran McKenna will look to build momentum heading into the season’s second half. Meanwhile, Chelsea must regroup quickly, with tougher fixtures looming as they seek to keep their title hopes alive.
