Ipswich Town kept their Premier League survival hopes alive with a crucial 2-1 win over Bournemouth on Wednesday night. Despite the odds being against them, Kieran McKenna’s side defied expectations to claim their first league victory of 2025, boosting their confidence in the battle against relegation.
Liam Delap once again proved to be the difference-maker, increasing his growing reputation with another well-taken goal. With top clubs like Chelsea, Liverpool, and Arsenal closely monitoring him, Ipswich may struggle to keep hold of their star forward, especially if relegation looms. However, for now, fans will relish his goalscoring form, as he took his tally to 11 for the season with a composed finish after linking up with Conor Townsend.
While Delap and Nathan Broadhead shined in attack, not every Ipswich player delivered a standout performance. One of the biggest underperformers was Ben Johnson, who endured a frustrating night. The former West Ham man struggled in possession, losing the ball 21 times, completing just 10 of his 17 passes, and delivering only one accurate cross out of seven attempts.
Defensively, Johnson failed to impose himself, winning just three of his 12 duels. His misplaced clearance also led to Bournemouth’s only goal, capping off a difficult outing. With Omari Hutchinson unavailable, McKenna had limited options on the right wing, but based on this display, Johnson may not be the best fit for the role.
Alternatives such as Jaden Philogene-Bidace could provide more attacking threat moving forward. Despite their struggles, Ipswich’s victory offers a glimmer of hope in their fight for survival. If they can produce more performances like this, an escape from relegation may not be entirely out of reach.
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