This was a heartbreaker for Ipswich Town. Following a series of setbacks, their spirit is bound to be crushed after conceding a last-minute equalizer from Enes Unal and then Dango Ouattara’s dramatic late winner in the 95th minute. The agony was palpable, especially given the timing of the blow.
It may be that the journey to the Premier League was the enjoyable chapter; however, Bournemouth’s struggles are far from over. They dominated possession and carved out numerous opportunities in search of an equaliser after Conor Chaplin’s first-half goal. Once that goal came, they didn’t relent. As Ipswich’s resolve weakened, Bournemouth sliced through their defense with precision, reducing the Portman Road crowd to silence beyond the section filled with the travelling fans.
Exciting to the final whistle, this match served as a further reminder that the lesser-known venues in the Premier League, even late in 2024, feature players brimming with talent and creativity. From the first whistle, Ipswich and Bournemouth went toe-to-toe, abandoning caution in the face of Storm Darragh, as risk-heavy football was played at breakneck speed. If Ipswich hopes to survive the season, they will have to do so adhering to Kieran McKenna’s philosophy, although more heartbreak could lie ahead. Their struggles with game management denied them a significant milestone – a first home victory of the season. Bournemouth, a club smaller in stature and history, has a knack for surprising the giants, and this performance is precisely what Ipswich aspires to replicate.
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The match kicked off with an early clash between Justin Kluivert and Sam Morsy, setting the tone for a fiercely contested battle. The physical intensity was apparent from the outset, with neither side willing to give an inch.
Fans were treated to a glimpse of two promising left-sided defenders, Milos Kerkez and Leif Davis, both of whom might soon be among the interest of top-tier clubs. Kerkez was the first to shine, surging towards the byline after receiving a pass from Kluivert. Unfortunately for Bournemouth, Marcus Tavernier’s attempt to convert what should have been a clear goal opportunity was poorly timed.
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Bournemouth appeared the brighter team amidst the dreary weather, lifting home spirits when Davis made a classic overlapping run. A cross from Omari Hutchinson subsequently allowed Cameron Burgess to nod in Ipswich’s first genuine chance.
-The breakthrough came when the ball fell kindly to Burgess from Davis’s long throw. Rather than taking the shot himself, he selflessly laid it off for Chaplin, who expertly slotted it home. More could have followed soon after, as Kepa was forced into action against a deflected shot from Jack Taylor, and Burgess’s header glanced off target, resulting from a corner that Delap was penalised for in an illegal jostling.
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Tempers flared with Andoni Iraola receiving a yellow card, matched by a moment of contention as Tavernier was upended in the Ipswich box. VAR sided with Ipswich this time, but tensions were high among the fans and players alike. As the first half drew to a close, Bournemouth ramped up the pressure, constantly pinning Ipswich back but only managing a series of hasty, half-chances.
A similar pattern unfolded in the second half, although Ipswich’s defence was forced to withstand repeated attacks from Bournemouth. Delap and Davis’s forays provided some respite for Ipswich’s backline, as Bournemouth relentlessly pushed forward, putting Ben Johnson under pressure from the ever-buzzing Antoine Semenyo.
Questions lingered about Bournemouth’s capacity to adapt to a possession-based approach rather than counterattacking, but they persisted with their tactics, and eventually, the fruits of their labour emerged.
Sammie Szmodics, otherwise focused on defensive duties, managed to force Kepa into a crucial save, although the rebound skidded beyond Delap’s reach. Szmodics then set up another chance for his teammate, only for it to be blocked. Iraola made tactical changes, replacing the ineffective Evanilson and Tavernier with David Brooks and Philip Billing, while Semenyo’s movement on the left earned him a potential goal, which was averted by a scrambling save from Arijanet Muric.
Chaplin squandered a promising opportunity to net a second goal, while Burgess, who had been on course for man of the match honours, anticipated Semenyo’s intentions when the winger broke clear. The atmosphere around the ground oscillated between exhilaration and despair as Bournemouth continued to make inroads.
The tide turned dramatically when Muric’s rushed decision to challenge Semenyo exposed the goal, leaving Burgess unable to clear, allowing Unal to swoop in., Just as full-time approached, the final blow landed. McKenna stood motionless on the touchline, though the applause and support that followed him down the tunnel indicated he still retains the faith of the home fans, even in the wake of such a harsh and unsettling defeat.
