SEAGULLS DOWN TRACTOR BOYS
Brighton ended their eight-match winless run in the Premier League with a 2-0 win over Ipswich Town.
Kaoru Mitoma and Georginio Rutter found the net in the second half for Fabian Hurzeler’s team at Portman Road.
Ipswich came closest to opening the scoring in a lackluster first half, with Liam Delap and Omari Hutchinson testing Bart Verbruggen from range.
However, it was Brighton who broke the deadlock just before the hour, as Mitoma finished from Matt O’Riley’s cutback to become the joint-leading Japanese scorer in Premier League history, leveling with former Leicester City forward Shinji Okazaki on 14 goals.

Christian Walton made a fantastic save to deny Joao Pedro’s volley shortly after, but the Ipswich goalkeeper could do nothing as the visitors extended their lead eight minutes before the end.
A low free-kick rebounded perfectly for Rutter, who turned and finished with ease, with the goal being confirmed after a VAR check.
That crucial win moved Brighton into the top half of the table, up to ninth, while the Tractor Boys fell back into the relegation zone, having scored fewer goals than 17th-place.

“WE ARE READY FOR MANCHESTER UNITED” Georginio Rutter came off the bench to net the second goal that confirmed Brighton’s victory.
The Seagulls’ next challenge is a trip to Old Trafford on Sunday to face Manchester United.
“I’m really happy with the win. It’s always a great atmosphere when we play away,” Rutter told TNT Sports.
“I think it was crucial for the team to win today. The Christmas period was tough. We’re feeling good, and it’s great for our confidence.”
“It felt great to score, but I was a bit nervous because VAR was reviewing it.”

TNT Sports will broadcast more than 500 matches from the UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, and UEFA Conference League, along with exclusive Premier League games throughout the 2024-25 season. Fans can access TNT Sports in the UK via discovery+, where a subscription offers TNT Sports, Eurosport, and entertainment in one place. Matches falling within the UK Saturday blackout window cannot be aired live, which prevents games from being shown between 14:45 and 17:15.

Ipswich had been encouraged by moving out of the relegation zone after Wolves lost 3-0 to Newcastle United a day earlier. However, their relief was brief, as a 2-0 loss saw them drop back into the bottom three on goal difference. This match represented a good chance for Ipswich, as Brighton had gone eight Premier League matches without a win. Yet, despite any potential lack of confidence, Brighton showed no signs of hesitation and capitalized on their chances when they appeared. Kaoru Mitoma and Georginio Rutter’s second-half goals lifted them back into the top half of the table in ninth place.

 

On Thursday night, Ipswich Town and Brighton & Hove Albion will play each other in the top division for the first time in forty years at Portman Road.

The two teams haven’t played at this location in the top tier since Ipswich’s 2-0 victory in January 1983, but they drew 0-0 in the rematch earlier this season.

At the moment, Kieran McKenna’s team appears to be on the verge of leaving the bottom three, fulfilling all of Ipswich’s Christmas fantasies.

They have tied Wolves for 17th place with four points and four goals in their previous two Premier League games, which is the same amount they had managed in the seven games before.

Ipswich finished 2024 by defeating Chelsea 2-0 at Portman Road after a close loss to Arsenal at the Emirates on Boxing Day.

They also nearly had a fantastic start to the new year away at Fulham.

Only two penalties denied them a win at Craven Cottage, with an injury-time strike from Raul Jimenez forcing a draw, after Liam Delap had put them ahead for a second time.

Brighton will be put to the test by a courageous Ipswich club that recently surprised Chelsea and Fulham, so the Premier League’s draw experts could deliver another one here. Hurzeler’s team is winless in eight league games, and this might be an awkward match for them after being held in reverse.

Brighton’s form hasn’t been bad, though, as the cup victory follows two strong draws.

Those four points have pushed the Tractor Boys above Leicester City, and brought Everton right back into jeopardy, just one point further ahead. Despite only averaging 6.1 open-play shots each game, McKenna’s team has been effective in their comeback to the top division, averaging a goal per game thus far.

Early in the season, their home form had been a major worry, but on Sunday, they defeated Bristol Rovers in the FA Cup after winning their first game against Chelsea on the tenth try.The hosts’ next opponent is Brighton, who have been the Premier League’s draw experts this year and were only able to secure a 0-0 tie in this match back in September.

The Seagulls have seen an increase in draws in recent weeks, as seen by the fact that all four of their league games have ended in draws.

fall to 10th, eight points off the top four, and six points off the top six, with a mid-table finish now appearing extremely likely after showing signs of challenging for Europe early in the campaign.

The visitors have done well in their last two league excursions though, holding Arsenal to a draw at the Amex, after also depriving Aston Villa three points on home turf.

Omari Hutchinson, a vital member of Ipswich, will miss the next two games due to a groin injury he sustained last week, which prevented him from playing in the FA Cup match against Bristol Rovers.

Sammie Szmodics has opened the score four times this season, but he will be out of action as McKenna revealed his foot is currently in a protective boot to help treat an ankle injury.

The hosts’ other injury absences are Achilles tear, Conor Chaplin, and Axel Tuanzebe, neither of whom is expected to return for a few more weeks.

Joao Pedro joined Brighton’s list of injured players last week after injuring his ankle during practice, rendering him doubtful for the upcoming games.

Brighton currently has more injuries than any other Premier League team.

While offensive combination Georginio Rutter and Yankuba Minteh will be evaluated before to the game following minor injuries sustained against Norwich.

defensive pairing Lewis Dunk and Tariq Lamptey should be able to return here following their separate knocks and illnesses.

Jack Hinshelwood is also getting close to making a comeback, but players like Ferdi Kadioglu, James Milner, and, most likely, Diego Gomez, who is still getting fit after moving from Inter Miami, will find this game too soon.

 

Jaden Philogene says he picked Ipswich Town over other clubs who wanted him in January Picture:

Jaden Philogene says he picked Ipswich Town over other clubs who wanted him in January Picture:

New Ipswich Town signing Jaden Philogene says he picked the Blues over a host of other clubs – and wants to become the best player he can be under boss Kieran McKenna,

 

The 22-year-old winger finally signed from Aston Villa late last night, in a deal worth £20m plus add-ons.

 

He wasn’t signed in time to play in tonight’s clash with Brighton (7.30pm, TNT Sports), but could make his debut against defending Premier League champs Manchester City in Suffolk on Sunday (4.30pm, Sky Sports).

 

In a short first interview with the club on TownTV, Philogene was asked if there was interest from other clubs this month.

 

“Yeah, of course,” he replied. “But I picked Ipswich.”

 

Of what excites him about signing for Town, he added: “Playing in the Premier League and showcasing my skills in front of a beautiful crowd.

 

“I know they have great players, and I know some of them off the pitch as well.”

 

Jaden Philogene has signed a four-and-a-half year deal at Town

Jaden Philogene has signed a four-and-a-half year deal at Town (Image: Matchday Images/ITFC)

 

Boss Kieran McKenna has wanted to sign Philogene for some time, with the winger almost heading to Suffolk in the summer before Villa activated their buyback clause.

 

So, now he’s a Town player, what has McKenna said to him?

 

Philogene revealed: “Getting me in and playing as many games as possible, get my head down and work hard, and just be the best player I can be.”

 

Of what fans can expect of him as a player, he added: “As a player I just like to dribble, link up play, do skills, score and assist.”

 

Philogene has already played at Portman Road this season, having come on as a 64th minute sub for Villa in their pulsating 2-2 draw with Town back in September.

 

And, with home games surely key for the Blues as they bid to stay in the Premier League, Philogene confirmed that the vocal home faithful make it a tough place to play for visiting teams.

 

“It’s a challenge!” he revealed. “You guys were… you don’t look like a team that’s just been promoted to be fair, a very strong team.”

Sunderland should be plotting Ipswich Town transfer raid amid Aston Villa agreement

 

Sam Morsy, left, says he’s been ‘really impressed’ with new Ipswich Town midfielder Jens Cajuste

Sam Morsy, left, says he’s been ‘really impressed’ with new Ipswich Town midfielder Jens Cajuste

Ipswich Town skipper Sam Morsy admits he’s been ‘really impressed’ by fellow midfielder Jens Cajuste – and has been learning from the Napoli loanee.

 

The 25-year-old Swedish international has emerged as the preferred partner alongside Morsy in the Town engine room, keeping former England star Kalvin Phillips out of the starting XI.

 

If the inspirational Morsy is all endeavour, aggression and effort, Cajuste is in many ways the yin to his yang – he’s silky smooth on the ball, seems to glide when he runs and always appears to have time.

 

Jens Cajuste has really impressed so far at Town

Jens Cajuste has really impressed so far at Town

 

“Really impressed,” Morsy admitted of his midfield amigo. “He’s getting better every week and he’s had some really outstanding games.

 

“He’s come from a different country so he’s adapting to a new culture and a different way of football, but I think he’s done brilliantly well.

 

 

 

“He’s a great kid, he keeps improving – and hopefully he can keep getting better.”

 

Town’s skipper continued: “He’s growing all the time, his confidence is getting better all the time.

 

“Obviously there’s some excellent coaches here as well to help him get better and he’s adding more bits to his game.

 

“You can see he’s really enjoying it, and a lot of time if you’re really enjoying your football, you’re going to play your best football.

 

Cajuste is a perfect foil for Morsy in midfield

The silky smooth Cajuste is a perfect foil for Morsy in midfield (Image: Ross Halls)

 

And Morsy, who embodies the growth mindset which is so key to the culture at the club, admits he’s been picking things up from Cajuste.

 

“Yeah definitely,” he said, when asked if he was learning from the laid-back Swede.

 

“I’ve always looked at that – any midfielder I’ve played with or on the training ground, there’s always things you can take.

 

“The slight nuances of maybe how they move or how they receive the ball, or whatever it may be.

 

“It’s always a learning curve and you can always learn from good players and it’s great to have him here.”

 

Morsy says the midfield competition at the club – including Cajustte and Kalvin Phillps, centre, is ‘really strong’

Morsy says the midfield competition at the club – including Cajustte and Kalvin Phillps, centre, is ‘really strong’ (Image: PA)

 

With Cajuste and Phillips having arrived in the summer, plus double promotion hero Massimo Luongo and fast-improving Jack Taylor already in the building, Town’s midfield looks strong.

 

Of the competition for places, Morsy confirmed: “It’s the strongest it’s been since I’ve been at the club by far.

 

“Everyone’s competing to play, but only two players can play. Everyone’s competing though, and that’s going to be a really big strength for us for the second half of the season.

 

“As you know, football is never straightforward – injuries, suspensions, form, so many different things – so we need to keep that part of the team firing to help the team.”

 

Ipswich Town have received a permanent January transfer offer to sell a player who Kieran McKenna has previously called “powerful”.

 

Ipswich Town transfer rumours

The Tractor Boys have been active in the winter market, making Ben Godfrey the club’s first signing of 2025. The former Norwich City defender joined on loan for the second half of the season from Serie A side Atalanta and made his debut for the club against Bristol Rovers in the FA Cup.

 

Next to arrive at Portman Road will be winger Jaden Philogene. Ipswich agreed on a permanent transfer to sign Philogene from Aston Villa, who have since bolstered their attacking ranks with the arrival of Donyell Malen from Borussia Dortmund.

 

Philogene-Ipswich-Premier-League

After Philogene, attention at Ipswich could be on outgoings, with Mckenna admitting defender Harry Clarke could leave on loan before the deadline.

 

“There’s a possibility that Harry Clarke will go out on loan. Me and Harry have had those conversations. He’s an important player for us, a very good player. He played through some injury at the back end of last season and had a big surgery in the summer, so he’s missed a few months of football.

 

“He’s had some minutes now in the Premier League, some exposure. But of course, for his age, as a young defender, it’s important to be getting minutes regularly for his progression and his role at the club. If everything is in a good place in the squad over the next week or two from an availability point of view, then there’s a chance that Harry will go out on loan to get some regular playing time, to keep pushing with his development.

 

“That’s the only one, really. Other than that, the squad is pretty tight at the moment. Everyone’s got a really clear role in the team and I wouldn’t expect too many changes to that in the next couple of weeks.”

 

One player already out on loan is centre-back George Edmundson, who is at Middlesbrough. There have been reports that Michael Carrick’s side were plotting a permanent January move for the Ipswich man, and it looks as if that offer has been made.

 

Middlesbrough make permanent bid to Ipswich Town for George Edmundson

According to Football Insider, Ipswich have received and rejected a permanent offer from Middlesbrough for Edmundson. The 27-year-old has been a regular for Boro under Carrick, and reporter Stuart Watson has provided further details on the bid that was made, claiming it was worth £350,000.

 

Edmundson is out of contract at Portman Road at the end of the season, and it looks as if Ipswich are open to selling for the right price, so it will be interesting if Boro return with an improved offer before the deadline.

 

McKenna has previously hailed the defender, who he chose to play against Liam Delap last season against Hull City, saying: “I just wanted to put George in tonight. We thought he’s been training really well, has played really well in the cup competitions and I thought his qualities tonight against Liam Delap would be really important.

 

“There are not many more powerful runners than George so we thought we’d put him up against one of the more powerful runners in the league.”