Tottenham 1-2 Ipswich: Tractor Boys shock Spurs to record first Premier League win of season
Ipswich celebrated their first victory in the Premier League this season by pulling off an unexpected 2-1 triumph against a sluggish and uninspired Tottenham team.
Ipswich quickly took the lead in the first half, thanks to a skillful overhead kick by Sam Szmodics and a close-range goal from Liam Delap.
This put the Spurs in a tough position against a resilient and focused opponent that was aware a challenge awaited them in the second half.
However, it didn't quite come to fruition, as Tottenham only managed to score with a header from Rodrigo Bentancur. The team struggled to generate significant opportunities. Dominic Solanke briefly celebrated a goal in the 52nd minute, but it was ruled out by VAR due to a handball.
At the end of the match, the Spurs fans expressed their disappointment with boos as the team left the field. This season, they've witnessed their team suffer five losses in the Premier League, leaving coach Ange Postecoglou searching for solutions.
Tottenham: Vicario (6), Porro (6), Romero (6), Dragusin (4), Udogie (5), Sarr (6), Bentancur (7), Kulusevski (6), Johnson (6), Solanke (6), Son (5) ### Player Ratings: - Vicario – 6 - Porro – 6 - Romero – 6 - Dragusin – 4 - Udogie – 5 - Sarr – 6 - Bentancur – 7 - Kulusevski – 6 - Johnson – 6 - Solanke – 6 - Son – 5
Substitutes: Werner (6), Maddison (6), Bissouma (6)
Ipswich: Muric (7), Tuanzebe (7), Johnson (7), O’Shea (7), Burgess (7), Davis (8), Cajuste (8), Morsy (7), Hutchinson (7), Szmodics (9), Delap (8)
Substitutes: Hirst (7), Clarke (7), Luongo (7)
Match MVP: Sam Szmodics
In the meantime, this was a significant occasion for Kieran McKenna and his brave team, as they achieved their first Premier League victory since April 2002. This victory ensures that there are no teams left in the league without a win, following the victories of both Wolves and McKenna's squad this weekend.
Ange: My Inconsistency Is My Mistake
Tottenham's manager, Ange Postecoglou:
"I take full responsibility for this inconsistency. It’s ultimately my duty to address it. The ups and downs we’re experiencing this year are a direct result of my approach, and I recognize that it’s something I need to work on to better support the players."
"We really didn’t kick off the game on the right foot. Everything felt kind of lackluster, both when we had the ball and when we didn’t. I sensed that we weren't hitting the right rhythm or energy, which put us in a tough spot. In the second half, we began to take control and created chances, but we didn’t capitalize on them enough."
McKenna: A Moment Of Great Importance
Ipswich manager Kieran McKenna:
This is an incredible and important occasion, one to remember in the club's recent history. Reflecting on the ups and downs of the club's journey, it's a huge moment for fans to witness their team playing in the Premier League and securing a victory in such a prestigious stadium. Comparing where the club stood just two years ago to their current position in the Premier League marks a truly notable achievement.
Masterclass Analysis: McKenna's Insights
Lewis Jones from Sky Sports:
Less than two years ago, Ipswich Town and Kieran McKenna faced Cheltenham Town in League One, where the match ended in a 1-1 tie. Since that time, things have changed dramatically. Fast forward two years, and they managed to defeat Tottenham 2-1 in the Premier League right on their home turf.
It's a significant day for Ipswich Town as a football club. Interestingly, they managed to defeat Spurs 2-1 during their last trip to north London in 2001, with Alun Armstrong netting a winning goal in the final moments.
This was an outstanding display of strategy by the remarkable McKenna, demonstrating exactly why both Manchester United and Chelsea were seriously thinking about handing him control of their clubs during the summer.
They earned this victory. Their first-half display was clever and packed with inventive attacking moves, while the second half saw them defend stubbornly and intelligently, limiting Spurs to very few chances. It was their initial win in the Premier League, and it’s one they are sure to remember for quite some time.
Analysis: Stale Spurs Are Simple To Beat
Lewis Jones from Sky Sports:
Postecoglou is likely to face a persistent challenge at Tottenham that could hamper his ability to achieve real success. The issue lies in the fact that his team often needs to net two or more goals in a match to secure a win. They tend to concede goals easily, making it difficult for them to come away with favorable results.
Tottenham's playing style leaves them exposed in various ways. For instance, they struggled with set pieces right from the start. Cameron Burgess nearly scored when he hit the bar before Ipswich took the lead with a header from a corner kick. Additionally, when possession shifts, Spurs leave a lot of room for wingers, as Szmodics discovered in a standout performance he won’t forget anytime soon. He netted one goal and was pivotal in Delap's score as well. Tottenham had a tough time containing him during the first half.
"Tottenham can definitely put on an entertaining show. However, moments like this highlight just how far they still need to go to be real competitors."
