Ipswich Town earned their first win of the year to give themselves some hope in the fight for Premier League survival as they beat Bournemouth 2-1 at the Vitality Stadium on Wednesday evening.
The Cherries came into the game as overwhelming favourites despite having failed to win any of their last four top flight matches, but it was the Tractor Boys who opened the scoring thanks to some fine work from Julio Enciso to set up a composed finish from Nathan Broadhead with 34 minutes on the clock.
With almost an hour gone, Kieran McKenna's side had only produced one shot on target and six efforts in total compared to their opponents' 15, but they still arguably had the better chances and boasted a superior expected goals tally at that point.
This attacking efficiency was on display once again when talismanic striker Liam Delap doubled the relegation candidates' lead with what was just their second shot on target after an excellent team move that started from goalkeeper Alex Palmer.
Andoni Iraola's men set up a tense final 20 minutes when some scruffy play allowed Evanilson to snatch a goal back, but Ipswich held on to secure a morale-boosting three points.
SPORTS MOLE'S VERDICT
© Imago
Bournemouth started the season strongly and have been one of the most enjoyable watches in the Premier League this term, but the wheels seem to have fallen off in recent months, and the Cherries are now without a top-flight win since February 15.
Wednesday's hosts started this match four points behind Manchester City, who occupied the division's Europa League qualification spot, but having lost to the Tractor Boys, Iraola's side find themselves six points behind fifth-placed Newcastle United with only eight games left to play.
If Bournemouth are to make their dreams of playing continental football in 2025-26 a reality, then they will have to produce a near-flawless end to the campaign.
As for Ipswich, their 2-1 triumph was their first league win in 2025, and just the third time they had avoided defeat in the Premier League this year.
That being said, after relegation rivals Wolverhampton Wanderers also won, the visitors may feel that their efforts were somewhat in vain, though the character and performance levels they showed on Wednesday could yet inspire them to a miraculous recovery.
BOURNEMOUTH VS. IPSWICH TOWN HIGHLIGHTS
34th min: Bournemouth 0-1 Ipswich Town (Nathan Broadhead)
© Imago
Delap holds the ball up on the left wing and lays it off to Enciso, who drives infield towards the edge of the box before finding Broadhead alone in the area.
The attacking midfielder then cuts inside past a desperate Cherries defender and confidently slots the ball between Kepa Arrizabalaga's legs.
60th min: Bournemouth 0-2 Ipswich Town (Liam Delap)
© Imago
After playing out from goalkeeper Palmer, Jens Cajuste fires a long diagonal ball towards Delap out wide and the striker squares up Illiya Zabarnyi before laying off a pass to left-back Conor Townsend, who cuts a cross back for Delap to smash home from near the penalty spot.
Ipswich double the lead with a fantastic team goal!
67th min: Bournemouth 1-2 Ipswich Town (Evanilson)
© Imago
Brooks crosses the ball in to Cook, whose poor shot is met by an equally poor save from Palmer, and Bournemouth striker Evanilson is quick to react in order to slot into an empty net from close range.
The Cherries are back in it with a scruffy goal - can Ipswich hold out?
MAN OF THE MATCH - LIAM DELAP
© Imago
Arguably Ipswich's best player this season, striker Liam Delap was involved in the opener and fired in what turned out to be the eventual winner after some excellent hold-up play.
If the Tractor Boys are to stay up against the odds, then they will need their young leader to put in more displays like this to drag them over the line.
BOURNEMOUTH VS. IPSWICH TOWN MATCH STATS
Possession: Bournemouth 64%-36% Ipswich Town
Shots: Bournemouth 24-10 Ipswich Town
Shots on target: Bournemouth 7-2 Ipswich Town
Corners: Bournemouth 8-3 Ipswich Town
Fouls: Bournemouth 14-15 Ipswich Town
BEST STATS
𝐁𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐡 𝟏-𝟐 𝐈𝐩𝐬𝐰𝐢𝐜𝐡
— Opta Analyst (@OptaAnalyst) April 2, 2025
Kieran McKenna's side win their first Premier League game of 2025, and in the process hand Bournemouth a fourth consecutive home defeat in the league, the first time the Cherries have ever suffered such a run.#BOUIPS pic.twitter.com/JdA9QyoKjt
WHAT NEXT?
Up next for Bournemouth is a trip to London to take on West Ham on Saturday, while Ipswich will host Wolves for a must-win game on the same day.
No Data Analysis info
