Chelsea and Ipswich shared the points at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea and Ipswich shared the points at Stamford Bridge. / IMAGO / Sportimage

Chelsea had to settle for a point against Ipswich, after fighting back from two goals down to draw 2-2 at Stamford Bridge.

 

The Blues dominated the early stages of the match, creating several chances but found themselves behind after a quick counter-attack from Ipswich saw Julio Enciso poke home.

 

Enciso, on loan from Brighton, was involved as Ipswich took a shock two-goal lead with their first two shots on target. This time the Paraguay international picked out Ben Johnson, who headed the Tractor Boys two ahead.

 

With Chelsea’s Champions League hopes fading, the Blues knew that they needed a big second half to complete their first comeback since beating Spurs 4-3.

 

Noni Madueke and Marc Cucurella combined well as the winger’s cross is turned in by the Spaniard, with a deflection off an Ipswich defender on the way.

 

It was substitute Sancho who netted the equaliser, a fine curling strike into the top corner to give Chelsea a point.

 

Julio Enciso gave Ipswich Town the lead against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.

Julio Enciso gave Ipswich Town the lead. / IMAGO / Sportimage

Chelsea came closest to netting an opener through Nicolas Jackson as the forward peeled away at the near post.

 

Enzo Fernandez pulled the ball back to him, but Jackson’s shot bounced back off the post.

 

Just moments later, Noni Madueke came close to breaking the deadlock after Pedro Neto stood up a brilliant cross to the far post, where Madueke met the ball with a right-footed shot which was deflected just wide.

 

Madueke turned creator for the next chance, picking out Levi Colwill, but the defender saw his header saved from Alex Palmer.

 

Despite the early dominance, it was the visitors who went ahead through Enciso. A counter-attack saw Ipswich hit the Blues wide, with Ben Johnson’s pull-back finding Enciso, who pokes home.

 

The visitors doubled their lead just 10 minutes later through Johnson as Enciso’s cross was headed in by the right-back, leaving Chelsea with a mountain to climb.

 

Enzo Maresca sent his side out early for the second half, with the players on the pitch waiting for Ipswich, as they knew they had a mountain to climb in the next 45 minutes.

 

Cucurella bundled the ball over the line to half the defecit.

Cucurella bundled the ball over the line to half the defecit. /

Cucurella led the charge for his side, and Chelsea halved the defecit within the first minute as Madueke’s cross found the Spaniard, who fired home.

 

George Hirst nearly grabbed a third for the visitors, as the forward was gifted a couple of chances at the start of the second half. His first saw the striker hit a right-footed shot off target from outside the box before he got onto a cross just moments later to head wide.

 

With Maresca opting to make several changes, it was one of the substitutes who netted an equaliser as Sancho picked the ball up from a corner kick and curled the ball into the top corner, a special strike.

 

Cole Palmer came closs to giving Chelsea all three points in added time, but his strike was denied by Ipswich goalkeeper Palmer.

 

The visiting goalkeeper was on hand once again late on to deny Enzo Fernandez from close range as the points were shared at Stamford Bridge.

 

 

 

Wolves are preparing for a huge relegation six-pointer against Ipswich Town this weekend.

 

On Tuesday, Wolves secured a 1-0 win over West Ham, moving them 12 points clear of the relegation zone.

 

With such a huge deficit above the bottom three, some supporters felt Vitor Pereira’s men were safe, seeing no chance of Ipswich or Leicester City catching them.

 

However, the Tractor Boys picked up an impressive 2-1 win against Bournemouth on Wednesday night and that saw them close the gap to nine points.

 

A win for Kieran McKenna’s men has made their showdown with Wolves massive, and ahead of the clash, one of the star men is an injury doubt.

 

 

Omari Hutchinson could miss Ipswich Town vs Wolves

Although Ipswich find themselves in 18th position, they do have some danger man that Pereira should be wary of.

 

Team MP W D L GD Pts

15 Everton 30 7 13 10 -5 34

16 West Ham 30 9 7 14 -17 34

17 Wolves 30 8 5 17 -17 29

18 Ipswich 30 4 8 18 -33 20

19 Leicester 30 4 5 21 -42 17

Liam Delap, who signed from Manchester City for £20 million in the summer, has scored 11 Premier League goals this term, including one against Bournemouth on Wednesday.

 

McKenna also has an abundance of attacking flair to choose from, most notably Jack Clarke, Jaden Philogene, Julio Enciso and Omari Hutchinson.

 

Ipswich signed the ‘outstanding’ Hutchinson from Chelsea for around £20 million following a successful loan spell last term, and the 21-year-old has continued to be an important player in 2024/25.

 

However, the England under-21 star is a doubt for this weekends clash after missing the win over Bournemouth, as confirmed by McKenna.

 

“Omari picked up something on his first session back from international duty (with England U21s), we don’t know how long that will be,” he said.

 

Meanwhile, the Ipswich boss also confirmed that wing-back Leif Davis is also sidelined, saying: “Leif has a bit of a strange one and is still being assessed on what exactly it is and the timescale.”

 

Wolves need to be wary of Liam Delap

It will be a huge blow for Ipswich if Hutchinson isn’t declared fit for the game, though Wolves arguably need to worry about the threat of Delap even more.

 

Ipswich & Wolves top scorers in 2024/25 Goals

Matheus Cunha 15

Liam Delap 11

Jorgen Strand Larsen 10

Sammie Szmodics 4

Rayan Ait-Nouri 3

Omari Hutchinson 3

Delap’s incredible turn of pace, strength and power sets up an intriguing battle against Emmanuel Agbadou, who has been lauded for his physicality.

 

Should Agbadou come out on top against the England under-21 star, Wolves will have a very good chance of securing all three points and perhaps even their Premier League status.

 

 

Ipswich Town put in a strong defensive play to earn all three points against AFC Bournemouth

Ipswich Town put in a strong defensive play to earn all three points against AFC Bournemouth (Image: PA)

Ipswich Town returned to winning ways with a 2-1 win at AFC Bournemouth, picking up three points for the first time in 2025. Alex Jones provides his player ratings.

 

 

Ipswich Town defender Ben Johnson insists they can beat the drop after Wednesday night’s 2-1 win at Bournemouth.

The result has Ipswich nine points from safety.

 

But Johnson declared afterwards: “It’s doable, we’re confident we can do it.

 

“It gives us momentum and confidence. We’ll go back on the training field and we’ll be confident and ready for the game on Saturday.

 

“It was a huge win. It’s been coming in our training and in the games we’ve been playing in the league as well. It was two-and-a-half weeks since we played and we were excited to play, I felt that we showed we’ve been doing it on the training pitch.

 

“It’s a cliché but we’re at our best when we play together. You saw the front lads playing together today bringing other people into play and it worked.

 

“We’ve done that in games that we’ve won and there’s been times where we’ve not got that crucial goal, but we managed to go two up. Even though we conceded, we managed to hold on and we were together at the back as well and looked really good. It’s all positive.

 

“We all train at the same level and we’re starting to gel. The structure is coming together now, it’s taken time for players to adapt and come in but I feel like everyone’s in tune now and fit.

 

“Hopefully we’ve not left it too late and whoever comes in to play I feel does a great job.”

 

 

 

 

In a crucial Premier League match, Ipswich Town secured a 2-1 victory over Bournemouth, marking their first league win of 2025. This result offers Ipswich a glimmer of hope in their battle to avoid relegation. Nathan Broadhead opened the scoring for Ipswich in the 34th minute, shortly after Bournemouth’s Antoine Semenyo and Alex Scott tested Ipswich’s goalkeeper, Alex Palmer.

 

Liam Delap extended Ipswich’s lead on the hour mark with a powerful shot following a one-two with Conor Townsend. Bournemouth believed they had won a penalty when Semenyo was fouled by Axel Tuanzebe, but VAR overturned the decision as the contact occurred outside the box. Evanilson reignited Bournemouth’s hopes by scoring from a rebound in the 67th minute, yet Ipswich held on for their fourth league win this season.

 

Ipswich Town Triumphs Over Bournemouth 2-1

Bournemouth’s recent form has been disappointing, losing four out of their last five league matches. This slump has dented their aspirations for European qualification. Meanwhile, Ipswich remains in 18th place but is now nine points away from safety as they prepare for an important match against Wolves.

 

Liam Delap has been instrumental for Ipswich this season, netting 11 goals in the league. He is closing in on Marcus Stewart’s record of 19 goals in a single Premier League season for Ipswich set in 2000-01. Delap accounts for 36.7% of Ipswich’s league goals this season, showcasing his importance to the team’s attack.

 

Despite not dominating possession, Ipswich were efficient with their chances, scoring twice from just two shots on target out of ten attempts. Their expected goals (xG) value was 1.18. In contrast, Bournemouth created numerous opportunities with 24 shots and seven on target but failed to convert them effectively, ending with an xG of 1.95.

 

Historic Win Against Bournemouth

This victory ended a long winless streak against Bournemouth that dated back to September 1996 when Ipswich last defeated them in any competition during an EFL Cup match. The win provides a much-needed boost for Kieran McKenna’s side as they continue their fight against relegation.

 

The triumph over Bournemouth highlights both teams’ contrasting fortunes this season. While Ipswich aims to climb out of the relegation zone, Bournemouth must address their recent struggles to keep European hopes alive.

 

 

Jens Cajuste’s strike against Nottingham Forest has been nominated for the Premier League’s Goal of the Month award

Jens Cajuste’s strike against Nottingham Forest has been nominated for the Premier League’s Goal of the Month award (Image: Steve Waller)

Jens Cajuste’s brilliant finish in Ipswich Town’s 4-2 defeat to Nottingham Forest has been nominated for the Premier League’s Goal of the Month award for March.

 

The midfielder picked up a pass from Jack Clarke before spinning past Ryan Yates as he approached the edge of the box, taking aim with a curling shot that looped up into the top right corner.

 

Cajuste’s strike made it 3-1 in the 82nd minute, with Jota Silva and George Hirst both scoring late on as Town were handed their 18th defeat of the campaign.

 

Cajuste’s finish was his first in the Premier League and in an Ipswich Town shirt

Cajuste’s finish was his first in the Premier League and in an Ipswich Town shirt (Image: Steve Waller)

 

It isn’t the only goal from that game to earn a nomination, with Anthony Elanga’s first at Portman Road also making the shortlist.

 

The full list is:

 

Marcus Tavernier (Bournemouth) v Spurs

Marc Cucurella (Chelsea) v Leicester

Declan Rice (Arsenal) v Man United

Pervis Estupinan (Brighton) v Man City

Anthony Elanga – first goal (Nottingham Forest) v Ipswich

Omar Marmoush (Man City) v Brighton

Jens Cajuste (Ipswich) v Nottingham Forest

Bruno Fernandes (Man United) v Leicester

 

 

 

Ipswich Town manager Kieran McKenna will wait until the end of the season to reflect on his side’s Premier League campaign

Ipswich Town manager Kieran McKenna will wait until the end of the season to reflect on his side’s Premier League campaign (Image: PA)

Kieran McKenna has admitted that next week will be a pivotal one in Ipswich Town’s battle to avoid the drop.

 

The Blues currently sit 18th in the Premier League table, occupying the last relegation spot. They have 17 points from 29 games, leaving them nine points – essentially 10 due to goal difference – from safety.

 

If they are to survive, their form will need to improve quickly. Town are the only side in the top five tiers of English football yet to win a league game in 2025. They will likely need four or five between now and the end of the season to stand a chance.

 

Regardless of whether or not they manage it, McKenna is adamant that his side will learn a lot from this campaign, although his focus is purely on the upcoming trip to Bournemouth

 

Asked whether this is a big week for in their season, McKenna told Sky Sports: “It is, even just by the numbers. There are nine games left and we’ve got two of them in three days.

 

“It’s a big week in terms of points to play for. It’s a big week in terms of a good chunk of our remaining fixtures, and of course, one of them being the Wolves fixture. I think they are one position above us in the league. That puts a little bit more on that game as well.

 

The Blues are nine points from safety ahead of games against Bournemouth and Wolves

The Blues are nine points from safety ahead of games against Bournemouth and Wolves

“It’s a big three-day block, so there’s no doubt about it. We’ll have plenty of time to prepare and it’s up to us to be as ready as we can. We have to try and deliver good performances in both games and get points on the board.

 

“A big thing is that we’re not in the process of reflecting on everything at this stage of the season. We’ve got nine games left and we’re on to the next game and we want to finish this season really, really strongly.

 

“We’re still trying to make it a great season. That’s where our mindset is at, and that’s where all our focus is.

 

“When you climb as quickly as we have from League One to the Premier League, you’re going to learn a lot of things along the way. Making the jump from where we were this time last year to now, to the Premier League, with the group that we have and the rate of change that there’s been, you’re going to learn an awful lot from it.

 

“We certainly have. I think it’s been a pretty unique journey for the Premier League and a unique challenge. Everyone involved in that process is going to be a lot wiser and a lot stronger for it.

 

“At the end of the season – hopefully after a successful end to the season – we’ll look back on a lot of things, We’ll all be stronger and wiser for the experience, but for now, our focus is on Bournemouth, trying to get ready for the next game and finishing the season as strongly as we can.”

 

 

Mark Ashton (inset) says the Ipswich Town academy is set for ‘a lease of new life’ thanks to Category One status. Under-21s attacker Tommy Taylor (main) was recently on the Blues’

Mark Ashton (inset) says the Ipswich Town academy is set for ‘a lease of new life’ thanks to Category One status. Under-21s attacker Tommy Taylor (main) was recently on the Blues’ bench. (Image: Ross Halls/PA)

Ipswich Town chairman Mark Ashton is keen to see the club’s academy producing players for the first team once again.

 

Kieran McKenna’s current squad currently contains just one homegrown player in the form of Luke Woolfenden, while Harry Clarke (an academy graduate who was sold and re-signed), Elkan Baggott and Cameron Humphreys will all return from loan spells away this summer.

 

The Blues have spent in excess of £125m on transfer and loan fees to acquire 16 different players since securing promotion to the Premier League.

 

The hope, however, is that Category One status – which will bring improved facilities, staffing and games programme – will see the club able to produce more of their own talent.

 

Luke Woolfenden is the only homegrown player in the current Ipswich Town first team squad.

Luke Woolfenden is the only homegrown player in the current Ipswich Town first team squad. (Image: Steve Waller)

 

“We’re tracking quite well for Category One,” revealed Ashton. “We’ve had the initial audit and the feedback on the audit has been outstanding. That is huge credit to Gary Probert (director of football operations), Luke Werhun (chief operating officer) and Dimitri (Halajko, academy director

 

“I think the appointment of Dimitri in our boys’ academy has, excuse the pun, been a game changer for us. He’s a genuine professional and is a brilliant link to Kieran (McKenna) and the first team.

 

“The academy is going to be an area of substantial investment for the club.

 

“Ultimately, as we move forward, we want a blend of our homegrown talent and players that we’ve purchased in the first team squad.

 

“For a number of years the academy has been under-invested in, run down. But now this is an absolute new lease of life that is going to be given.

 

“If everything went perfectly well, we could be licensed by the summer. We’ve still got work to do but there’s a strong possibility of that.

 

“The challenge to us is the facilities, because I can only build them at a certain rate, but there may be ways in which we can put temporary facilities in which leads into the permanent facilities so we can get a year ahead of the curve.”

 

Flynn Downes, currently at Southampton, has been the biggest success story to come out of Ipswich’s academy in recent years.

Flynn Downes, currently at Southampton, has been the biggest success story to come out of Ipswich’s academy in recent years. (Image: PA)

 

Ipswich’s academy produced a string of top players back in the 90s, including the likes of Kieron Dyer, Darren Bent, Richard Wright and Titus Bramble. In more recent times, Flynn Downes, Andre Dozzell and Teddy Bishop came through into the first team before departing.

 

Tommy Taylor, a 19-year-old versatile forward who has been at the club since the age of 10, was an unused sub for Town’s recent FA Cup fifth round exit at Nottingham Forest.

 

Town have recruited England U18 left-back Somto Boniface (Chelsea) and midfielder Tudor Mendel (Anderlecht) for their Under-23s in the last two transfer windows.

 

Ipswich signed England U18 left-back Somto Boniface from Chelsea in January for their U21s.

Ipswich signed England U18 left-back Somto Boniface from Chelsea in January for their U21s. (Image: Ross Halls)

 

Asked if the academy really was still seen a major part of the club, Ashton insisted: “It has to be. It has to be.

 

“The challenge that we’ve had, both on and off the pitch, is that the rate of growth has been so quick and so steep.

 

“As I’ve said before, you can’t get infrastructure built underneath it quick enough. As a result, we’ve just had to put a lot of our energy and focus into the first team and Portman Road and getting ready for the Premier League.

 

“But the plan is the plan and the academy is a fundamental pillar upon that football development plan.

 

“We want to see homegrown talent coming through the system, whether that’s from nine years of age right the way through to the first team, like a Woolfy (Luke Woolfenden), or whether that’s someone we acquire for the 23s and then develop for a couple of years ready for the first team again.

 

“But the academy is a rock solid pillar that we’ve got to build on.”

 

Ipswich signed midfielder Tudor Mendel, a former Chelsea youth teamer, from Anderlecht last summer. He’s been playing for the U21s.

Ipswich signed midfielder Tudor Mendel, a former Chelsea youth teamer, from Anderlecht last summer. He’s been playing for the U21s. (Image: Ross Halls)

 

Meanwhile, Ashton revealed that work has started on the club’s new multi-million pound major training ground revamp.

 

“You’ll have seen plans were approved this week,” he said. “I think there’s some diggers on site now almost and we’re very keen to get underway.

 

“The current building that accommodates everything will be totally refurbished and that will ultimately be for our Cat One academy and women’s team, then the new building will be for the men’s first team. They’re all going to get substantially improved facilities.”

 

 

George Hirst scored in Ipswich Town’s recent FA Cup exit at Nottingham Forest.

George Hirst scored in Ipswich Town’s recent FA Cup exit at Nottingham Forest. (Image: PA)

Ipswich Town take on Nottingham Forest, at Portman Road, in a Premier League match this afternoon (3pm). Stuart Watson previews the action…

 

Ismaila Sarr’s scored the only goal of the game as Ipswich Town lost 1-0 at Crystal Palace last weekend.

Ismaila Sarr scored the only goal of the game as Ipswich Town lost 1-0 at Crystal Palace last weekend. (Image: PA)

 

 

 

With 10 games left, we now can now officially call this ‘the run-in’.

 

Three wins and eight draws from 28 Premier League games leaves Town with just 17 points to their name.

 

The gap to safety grew to six points last weekend (effectively seven due to goal difference) after the Blues’ 1-0 defeat at Crystal Palace was followed up by Wolves securing a 1-1 comeback home draw with Everton.

 

Wolves are at rock-bottom Southampton this afternoon (also 3pm). With the latter having taken just four points at St Mary’s all season, Ipswich can’t be relying on the Saints for a favour.

 

Meanwhile, Leicester – on the same points as Town, let’s not forget – host woefully out of form Man United (who are fresh from Thursday night Europa League action at Real Sociedad) tomorrow evening (7pm).

 

With the above in mind, it feels vital that Ipswich get something today if they are to keep this relegation fight alive.

 

Jack Taylor’s saved penalty proved decisive as Ipswich Town exited the FA Cup at Nottingham Forest recently.

Jack Taylor’s saved penalty proved decisive as Ipswich Town exited the FA Cup at Nottingham Forest recently.

 

 

 

Town have faced Forest twice already this season – both times at The City Ground.

 

The Premier League encounter came at the end of November. In a scrappy, stop-start game of few chances, Chris Wood’s converted spot-kick early in the second half proved the difference. Jota Silva had taken a dramatic tumble in the box after Sammie Szmodics’ challenge. Town huffed and puffed in search of an equaliser.

 

“On the balance of play I don’t think anyone could have had any complaints had it been a draw,” said Kieran McKenna. “I don’t think you can say we did enough to win the game, but I think it was competitive enough to say that a draw would have been an even result.”

 

Less than a fortnight ago, back in the East Midlands, Town took an FA Cup fifth round match all the way to penalties. George Hirst’s headed opener at a corner was cancelled out by Ryan Yates’ headed finish in a second phase that followed a free-kick delivery. It finished 1-1 after 120 minutes. Jack Taylor’s saved spot-kick at the end of a high quality shootout ultimately saw jubilant Forest set-up a quarter-final tie at Brighton.

 

“I’m really proud of the efforts of the players,” said McKenna. “I don’t think they could have put anything more into the game.

 

“We came into the game with a lot of challenges, we had some more challenges as the game went on picking up some injuries, so I think the way the team competed and fought, and some of the football we played as the game grew on, was really good. I think players will take great belief and confidence from tonight.”

 

Can Town go one further and beat Forest on home soil today? The Blues are certainly due a victory at Portman Road.

 

Callum Hudson-Odoi scored Nottingham Forest’s winner against Man City last weekend.

Callum Hudson-Odoi scored Nottingham Forest’s winner against Man City last weekend. (Image: PA)

 

 

 

Forest recently ended a 20+ year absence from the Premier League then spent big in their attempts to stay there. Sounds familiar, right?

 

Having just about clung on in 2022/23 and 2023/24, the East Midlands side have been the surprise package of this campaign. Nuno Espirito Santo’s team, a mix of smart foreign buys and ‘big club’ cast-offs, currently find themselves third and dreaming of Champions League qualification.

 

Their form of late has been mixed. A 5-0 defeat at Bournemouth in late January was followed up by a 7-0 home thrashing of Brighton. After that they faltered slightly. A much-changed side squeezed through an FA Cup tie at Exeter on penalties, then came defeats at Fulham (2-1) and Newcastle (4-3), plus a 0-0 home draw with Arsenal.

 

Last weekend’s 1-0 home win against Man City, secured by Callum Hudson-Odoi’s late goal, represented a first league victory in five weeks.

 

Just seven points separates third and ninth. The battle for European spots is hotting up. Forest, having been tipped by many to fade away all season, will be fired up to prove their doubters wrong.

 

That said, they’ll be feeling a bit of pressure too, especially for a game like this one today where they’re seen as strong favourites.

 

Omari Hutchinson could return to the Ipswich starting XI after recovering fully from a knee injury.

Omari Hutchinson could return to the Ipswich starting XI after recovering fully from a knee injury. (Image: PA)

 

WHO PLAYS?

 

Remarkably, McKenna has never named an unchanged side this season. Might this be when that finally happens? I’m not so sure.

 

The team that started last weekend’s 1-0 loss at Palace was: Palmer; O’Shea, Woolfenden, Greaves, Davis; Phillips, Cajuste; Philogene, Enciso, Clarke; Delap.

 

Omari Hutchinson, who made his injury return off the bench last weekend, will almost certainly come into the team if fit.

 

There’s an argument that Cameron Burgess should replace Jacob Greaves at left-sided centre-back. The former never let the side down earlier in the campaign, while the latter hasn’t quite hit the same early heights since recovering from a hamstring injury around the turn of the year.

 

There’s also an argument that Ben Johnson, who was one of Town’s best performers in the most recent game against Forest, should come in for either Jaden Philogene or Jack Clarke. That would see the formation revert to more of a 3-4-2-1 and enable Town to try and deal with pacey counter-attacking wide threats of Hudson-Odoi and Anthony Elanga better.

 

Or, if McKenna really wants to go for it, how about starting both Liam Delap and George Hirst? Delap playing wide right could bamboozle Forest. Just a thought…

 

Predicted team: Palmer; O’Shea, Woolfenden, Greaves, Davis; Phillips, Morsy; Philogene, Hutchinson, Enciso; Delap.

 

 

I take optimism from that recent FA Cup display at The City Ground, but am also realistic enough to know that the table tells no lies and Nottingham Forest are miles ahead when it comes to team chemistry. I’m expecting another really tight game between these two sides. I toyed with predicting both a win and defeat before ultimately settling on 1-1.