Ipswich vs Southampton Report

Scorers: Delap 31’; Aribo 21’, Onuachu 88’

Southampton clinched just their second Premier League (PL) win of the season with a dramatic late strike from Paul Onuachu at Portman Road, edging past Ipswich Town 2-1 in a battle between two struggling sides.

The result condemned Ipswich to their fourth consecutive league defeat and extended their winless run to five matches, leaving them entrenched in the relegation zone alongside the Saints.

Cautious Start Before Aribo Pounces on Goalkeeping Error

With both teams occupying the league’s bottom two spots, a tense and cautious opening was to be expected.

However, a moment of misfortune for Ipswich goalkeeper Arijanet Muric gifted Southampton the lead in the 21st minute.

A misplaced clearance allowed Joe Aribo to capitalise, striking a well-taken first-time shot past the scrambling Muric to hand the visitors an unexpected advantage.

Ipswich responded swiftly, refusing to let their early setback define the contest. Liam Delap, showing great composure, took Nathan Broadhead’s pass in his stride, rode a sliding challenge from Jan Bednarek, and calmly slotted past Aaron Ramsdale to bring the home side level just eight minutes after falling behind.

The equaliser energised Ipswich, who began cutting through Southampton’s defensive lines with pace on the counter-attack.

Broadhead nearly put the hosts ahead before half-time, breaking through on goal only to be denied by an excellent save from Ramsdale.

Moments later, Julio Enciso’s low free-kick rippled the side netting, giving Saints fans a nervous moment as the first half ended with Ipswich in the ascendancy.

Injury Setbacks for Southampton as Ipswich Take Control

Southampton’s woes deepened early in the second half when Taylor Harwood-Bellis was forced off through injury, with Jack Stephens replacing him.

However, Stephens’ return to action was short-lived, as he also had to be substituted just 10 minutes later in another frustrating blow for the visitors.

Despite their defensive disruption, Southampton nearly restored their lead against the run of play when a corner fell kindly to Aribo in the box. This time, however, the midfielder failed to keep his effort on target, allowing Ipswich to breathe a sigh of relief.

As the second half wore on, the hosts gradually regained their dominance, looking the more likely to find a winner.

Delap came close again with a low drive from a tight angle, forcing another crucial stop from Ramsdale. With Ipswich pressing high and Southampton retreating deeper into their own half, it seemed like the game was destined for a draw.

Onuachu Strikes Late to Stun Ipswich

With time running out, Southampton managed to produce one final attacking move to snatch all three points.

Kamaldeen Sulemana broke forward, weaving his way to the edge of the box before firing a low shot towards goal. Muric could only parry the effort into the path of Paul Onuachu, who reacted quickest to steer the ball into the net and secure a dramatic late victory for the Saints.

Ipswich were left reeling from the late twist, unable to muster a response before the final whistle. The result marked a significant missed opportunity for Kieran McKenna’s side, who will feel they had done enough to earn at least a point.

What the Result Means for Both Sides

Despite securing an excellent away victory, Southampton’s position at the foot of the Premier League table remains dire.

They are still eight points adrift of safety, and their battle to avoid relegation continues to look increasingly bleak. Their total points tally is yet to eclipse Derby County’s infamous record-low 11 points in the 2007/08 season, emphasising the scale of the challenge ahead.

For Ipswich, this latest defeat compounds their struggles and keeps them firmly in the relegation zone.

A fourth consecutive league loss and a five-game winless streak have derailed their hopes of climbing out of danger, and McKenna will need to find answers quickly if they are to avoid being dragged further into the survival scrap.

Final Thoughts

Paul Onuachu’s late winner gave Southampton a rare moment of joy in what has been an otherwise dismal season. While the three points offer a glimmer of hope, the Saints remain in desperate need of a major turnaround if they are to mount an improbable escape from the drop.

For Ipswich, this was a bitterly disappointing result in a match where they had the upper hand for large periods. With their defensive fragilities continuing to prove costly, they will need to regroup swiftly if they are to avoid falling deeper into the relegation mire.

The battle for survival intensifies, and while Southampton walk away with a much-needed victory, both teams know that much bigger challenges lie ahead in their fight to remain in the Premier League.

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Ipswich v Southampton, 2024/25 | Premier League