Pre-match thoughts
A big task ahead – feeling quite nervous about this one. But no one is unbeatable. The Premiership this year seems to be already throwing up crazy, unexpected results, and one thing is certain: our team will throw everything they have at it.
I also know that if we win, I shall be the most unpopular grandma in England. London-based Harry and Josh support Tottenham and Chelsea, respectively.
On hearing the team picked for tonight, it felt immediately like a stronger side than we have been available to muster in the last few weeks. I never like to diss a particular player, but like everyone else, I was pleased that Christian Walton was in goal.
A chap on the train was happy as ‘Chelsea would go second’. Another, a Colchester United supporter with a Chelsea lad, said on disembarking, “May the best team win…or maybe perhaps Ipswich!”
Hah.
First half
We all waited with bated breath as VAR, in the 11th minute, decided on a penalty for Town. It was awarded to DeLap, who Jorgensen fouled. He also converted it with a powerful shot into the left-hand corner to give Town the lead.
A few minutes later, Delap thundered towards goal again, but his shot this time was saved by Jorgensen at the post.
The first threat from Chelsea came a few minutes later when Palmer, from a free kick, hit the post, but Christian Walton scooped up the rebound shot from Nkunku. VAR then discounted a Chelsea goal for offside in the 24th minute. Unsure why it takes so long to examine the evidence, as Felix had at least an arm, a leg, a head and a shoulder in front of the nearest defender!
Cucurella’s dramatic attempt to claim a yellow card for a non-existent foul by Hutchinson made him the object of booing from Town fans for the rest of the game. Except, of course, when he was roundly cheered for blasting the ball way over the top of the net in an attempted shot.
Chelsea stepped up the pressure for the rest of the half and came close with a shot from Palmer that Walton brilliantly finger-tipped to safety. Despite their flurry of efforts, there was nothing on target, and Ipswich ran in still ahead.
Half time
There was such a buzz around the ground that it felt like there were many more people than usual in attendance. There were definitely more smiling people than has been the norm this season.
Second half
More of the same with Chelsea pressing and being kept at bay goal-wise by our defenders and Walton.
Then Disasi had a disaster, with his sloppy back pass being picked up by Delap, who crossed to Hutchinson in the middle, who side-stepped two defenders and put the ball in the right-hand corner of the net. The crowd exploded with cheers for the second goal and Omari’s double somersault celebration.
Chelsea pressed until the end of the game, but a little more raggedly, I felt, with no hugely threatening moments. Town carried on defending stoically and effectively until the end.
A few more tetchy moments from their players and a couple of yellow cards, and it was all over, bar the shouting, as they say. And we certainly obliged, shouting, cheering, singing and clapping.
Final Score: Ipswich Town 2-0 Chelsea
Our men of the match
All of them! They played as a cohesive team, and all played their part in that team with hard work and belief. No histrionics or drama. Together, they formed a bond that Chelsea couldn’t break. The difference in the two teams eventually came down to attitude, with Chelsea expecting to win and Town hoping, determined and battling to win. This became more apparent at the end of the game when Chelsea started chucking their toys out of the pram.
I was so pleased Captain Morsy was back. I love that if he makes a mistake, he steps up and rights it 20 seconds later.
Good to see Woolfie back in the team – I always think of him as a bit of a lucky charm for us. Ipswich born and bred.
Also very pleased to welcome back Nathan Broadhead, who created several chances.
It was a fantastic team effort, but my man of the match must be Liam DeLap. He ran himself into the ground as usual.
His nomination is followed closely by that of Christian Walton and Omari Hutchinson. In many another game they did enough to earn the accolade.
Round up
Wow. What can I say? What a game! A hard-fought win with a little luck thrown in, something that has mostly not gone our way this season. McKenna’s team pick was perfect, and it is wonderful to have more players back with their boots on and able to play after a few weeks of injury and suspension.
It felt like we were back to our strongest player options, although amazingly, we still fielded six players who were in our promotion-winning League One side. It is extraordinary how they are stepping up to this level. Although results have not always been what we hoped, there have been some very close games – draws against established Premiership teams like Aston Villa, Manchester United, Fulham and Brighton.
A great time to win, too – the last evening game of 2024 and halfway through the season. Magical. Who knows what the January window might bring us, and 2025.
View from the train
I sat next to Robert Newman on the train home – I remember his name as Rob Newman is one of my favourite comedians. He was very excited about the win having watched all the ups and downs of the Ipswich story as a season ticket holder for the last 50 years. We were all buzzing.
Looking at the stats on my phone, I learned that Chelsea had the most possession, the most corners, the most shots, and the most shots on target…though the latter is surely an oxymoron, I think a shot on target should just be a goal.
But taking all of that into account, Chelsea didn’t win.
In the end, it didn’t feel like it was theirs to win – but ours to lose.
